FAQ

There has been some discussion at regattas regarding sailing the Melges 24 within the Class and World Sailing Rules. Below are some frequently asked questions whether it be amongst Melges 24 teams or with race committees. IM24CA Technical Committee has offered clarification on several items. Updated in August 2026.

FAQ 12

Can the mast step be shimmed relative to the OEM deck surface?

If your mast step or heel has a small mismatch, you’re allowed to add permanent shims (e.g., glued, bonded, or fixed in place) and use them once to bring the mast into proper geometric alignment. This ensures that her mast is straight and centered and the rig behaves as designed by the builder.

Wedges / adjustable shims are not allowed.

The rule explicitly bans temporary wedges, removable shims and any device used to change rake or bend on the fly or between races or events.

This is because those would become a tuning tool and give an unfair advantage by adjusting mast bend characteristics beyond standard rig controls.

C.9.3 Explicitly says that no wedges or shims shall be used to control or alter the rake or bend characteristics of the rig. Shims may be used to correct misalignment, but they shall be attached permanently!

This means that you can fix misalignment (permanently), but you cannot make it in a way that you have multiple choices to change the characteristics of the rig depending on the weather by using shims.

FAQ 11

Is it permitted to adjust the forestay while racing or change forestay length/mast rake while racing?

Answer:

No, it is not permitted to adjust the forestay while racing.

Explanation:

Class Rule C.9.6(a) says (1) The shrouds and forestay may be attached and adjusted by turnbuckles/bottlescrews of optional design. Lock plates may be fitted.

(2) Rigging links and rigging screws may be adjusted while racing, but at the shroud plate only. Remote adjustment of any type is prohibited.

The rule says explicitly what can be adjusted (rigging links and rigging screws) and where it can be adjusted (at the shroud plate only). No Class Rule permits adjusting the forestay while racing (Closed class rule).

Forestay can be adjusted while the boat is not racing, and that on the fore turnbuckle or at the turnbuckle at the highfield lever on the compression post. See also the RRS definition “racing”.

FAQ 10 (to be published after consideration)

FAQ 9

Is it allowed to hang on the companionway hatch while tacking or gybing?

No.

C.11.4. When tacking, or gybing, standing up and hanging or pushing/leaning on the shrouds, mast or any other item to promote the manoeuvre shall be prohibited. Travellers, blocks, sheets etc are also considered as “any other item”.

As hiking is also considered a part of this, class rule C11.3 states “The crew shall only hike out by sitting facing outboard between the foremost stanchion and the spinnaker turning block” and “C.11.6 When hiking, the crew shall either sit facing outboard in such a way that at least part of the back of the thigh or buttocks is in contact with the deck or gunwale edge, kneel on the aft corner of the side deck or stand with at least one foot on the cockpit floor.” Besides this, these crew actions may also break rule RRS42 (Propulsion 42). See also FAQ 2.

FAQ 8

How many spinnakers can be inspected/used during the event?

The boat can carry on board 2 spinnakers. They may be for different wind conditions and the skipper may choose which suits more at a certain moment. The boat can have two spinnakers of the same type and change them. This means that the boat can carry, change and use 2 registered spinnakers during the event, race, or any leg

CR C.10.2 (a) Not more than 1 mainsail, 1 headsail and 2 spinnakers shall be presented for registration, carried aboard, and used during an event, except when a sail has been lost or damaged beyond repair.

FAQ 7 (to be published after consideration)

FAQ 6

Is it mandatory to use the standard coach and support boat appendix C at IM24CA class events?

Answer: Yes. Using the entire document as an attachment shall be mandatory. It shall not be altered.

Is it mandatory to use the standard coach and support boat appendix C at any Melges 24 event?

Answer: No. It is mandatory only at IM24CA class events. However, Standard Coach boat appendix C can be enforced at any event by writing it in the Notice of Race, part 1 Rules.

FAQ 5 Use of bowsprit

You can hoist the gennaker on any leg (including a weather leg that has had a major wind shift (and the race hasn’t been blown off yet) and any time you can carry it.

You cannot extend the bowsprit unless you are also hoisting the gennaker. If the leg to the spreader mark is too tight to carry a gennaker, then you cannot sail with the bowsprit out.

You must wait until you hoist the gennaker before pulling the bowsprit out. One operation – not two!

The easy way to remember this is: NO GENNAKER - NO BOWSPRIT!

At the leeward mark (or just after the gennaker is dropped), the rule is a little more flexible, but you must retract the pole as soon as you can. Judges are instructed to watch the crews, not the bowsprit. If a crew member is struggling to clear the gennaker, then a little more time will be given. If it is cleared away with the crew on the rail and the bowsprit still out, the boat is breaking CR 11.2

FAQ 4 Hiking 

The Melges class allow a particular type of sailing method by hiking the boat against the hiking lines. However, it is expected that the crew remain inside the lines at all times. This includes the push-pits at the stern and the gate connecting them. There is nothing in the rules that allows crew to step outside these lines whilst sailing and it is therefore prohibited.

It should also be noted that CR C.11.3 are11.6 are very clear regarding the helmsperson and crew how they may sit or hike. They shall not sit in any way that projects the body below the waist outside the sheerline. Nor shall they use any fitting or device to hike from – this includes mainsheet system and backstay adjusters. Helmspersons should not be seen with the feet or legs under or around any system in the boat.

FAQ 3 Tacking, gybing and rule 42

On some boats, the forward hand will tack round the front of the mast and this is acceptable. However, roll tacking by standing and hanging on the shrouds is prohibited under CR .11.4 is prohibited under CR C11.4. “Hanging” covers all types of contact with the shroud the purpose of which is the heel the boat, including hanging outside or pushing from inside the shrouds, also while gybing in light air. This may also break RRS42.

FAQ 2 The Fairing of the Keel Box Area 

After request on few sailors regarding the fairing of the keel box area, we remember that the class rule C.7.1.is very simple: you can add material only around the Derlin. Furthermore it is necessary remember that it is not allowed fill the slot of the screws: Melges24 Class rules are Closed Rules: anything not specifically permitted by the class rules is prohibited.

FAQ 1 Stanchions

At the 2013 IM24CA World Council AGM the rule change proposal to reduce the height of the stanchions (already approved in outline at the 2012 AGM) was ratified. Subject to approval by World Sailing this rule change (H.2) was introduced on 1 January 2014

NEW RULE H.2.

Two Factory supplied stanchions either side with hiking line | Minimum 350mm | Maximum 360mm | Underside of hole in stanchion above deck

REASON:
Various proposals had been submitted to the meeting on this subject. Peter Goekel reported back on the Technical Committees findings on this subject and there was discussion around the table on the correct wording for the rule and the need to protect the one design of the boat (ie that allowing two different heights of stanchion or a variety of heights would not be appropriate). Federico Michetti drew the meetings attention to the detail in the Builder's Report highlighting that a low cost retrofit kit is available for those who do not wish to purchase a new set of stanchions.

Sailors are reminded that there are three possible options when reducing the height of their stanchions to meet the new rule:

1) by purchasing new stanchions, to be ordered from Melges Performance Sailboats
2) by adapting existing stanchions using the official retrofit kit, to be ordered from Melges Performance Sailboats
3) Reducing the old stanchions to the new height by cutting the tube and welding the original head back onto the tube at the new height = Please note that it cutting the existing stanchions and welding on new (non original) heads or other materials is NOT allowed.