Melges 15 Assembly - A Comprehensive Look: From Delivery to Ready to Sail

This is a comprehensive look at setting up a Melges 15 sailboat from PARTS delivery to putting on the SAILS to go race. Yes. It's LONG. We made the video because the other videos skipped over details that were, in fact, important to us. We included timings below so that you can skip to the section of interest. We have screenshots from the video in the article at SailZing.com. sailzing.com/melges-15-assemb...
Ed Furry - / sail22llc - helped with several of the videos and continues to put out videos with some nice upgrades that you might consider.
Melges’ Eddie Cox created a nice video that does a quick run through of assembling a Melges 15 here: • How to Rig the Melges 15
00:00:48 Melges 15 Parts
GNAV Tube
Boom
Sprit - May come pre-installed in bow.
Mast - 2 piece, with halyards installed.
Spreaders - Adjustable, Marked for Starboard (green) and Port (red). Angle toward stern when installed.
Daggerboard
Rudder
Tiller - Aluminum
Upgrade: Rooster Carbon Tiller - 37" - Removed ~4" for better clearance while tacking
Bow Painter - Floating, by class rule
Dousing Bag / Sock with Halyard storage
Main Halyard - Pre-installed in mast, Dyneema
Jib Halyard - Pre-installed in mast, Dyneema
Spinnaker Halyard - Pre-installed in mast, Polyester cover / polyester core.
Upgrade: Spinnaker Halyard - Tapered, fittings on end to help with spinnaker twisting.
Rig Tensioner / "Boat Breaker" - Used to finish stepping the mast and to detension the rig when not using the boat for a while.
Mainsheet - Polyester cover / polyester core, not tapered
Upgrade: Mainsheet - Tapered, Robline Coppa 5000 / Dyneema core
Jib Sheet - Polyester cover / polyester core, not tapered, need to knot ends
Upgrade: Jib Sheet - Tapered, Polyester cover / Dyneema core with soft eye ends
Spinnaker Sheet - Polyester cover / polyester core, not tapered, need to knot ends
Upgrade: Spinnaker Sheet - Tapered, Polyester cover / Dyneema core with soft eye ends
Jib Blocks - Seldén Autoratchet
Spinnaker Blocks - Seldén Autoratchet
Upgrade: Spinnaker Blocks - Harken Autoratchet 40 with soft shackle fastener
or: Harken manual ratchet with shackle.
Jib Clew Blocks - Seldén pair with shackle
Sprit Blocks - Seldén pair with ring
Bridle / Traveler - Dyneema line with Seldén Block on shackle
Upgrade: Bridle Block - Allen Dynamic 40 TII with soft shackle on Dyneema line
Lifting Bridle - Pre-stretched polyester with stainless carabiners
Upgrade: Lifting Bridle - Dyneema, 2 color to distinguish back line, Stainless spring clips.
Mast Sheaves / Halyard pulleys - Main, Jib, Spinnaker - Plastic
Upgrade: Main, Jib, Spinnaker Sheaves - Aluminum with stainless steel bearings.
Rig Tuning
Upgrade: Shroud handles, Star grips for turnbuckle barrel, Scar Pins with Velcro for tool-less adjustments
Upgrade: Rig Tension Gauge - Loos Gauge PT-1
Drain Plugs - 3 x One Piece
Upgrade: 3 x One way Valve
Shrouds - Dyform / compacted strand wire, low stretch, high strength with T fittings and turnbuckles
Forestay - 1x19 wire with T fitting and pin fitting and ball for Boat Breaker.
00:09:26 Upgrade: Star Grips & Handles Installation
00:14:06 Two Piece Mast Assembly
00:15:16 Melges Trailer & Mast Support
00:15:51 Spreaders Installation
00:18:16 Spreaders Adjustment
00:19:27 Shrouds / Sidestays Installation
00:23:47 Attaching the Shrouds / Sidestays
00:24:13 Preparing to Step the Mast
00:27:16 Stepping the Mast and using "Boat Breaker"
00:28:58 Adjusting the Rig
00:30:22 Synchronizing the Shroud Length - "Bucket Thing"
00:31:04 Adjusting the Rig - Using the Loos Gauge PT-1
00:32:34 Detensioning with "Boat Breaker"
00:33:15 Sprit Install
00:33:53 Installing the Sprit blocks
00:35:33 Tying the Tack Line
00:36:51 Dousing Bag / Sock Installation
00:38:30 Upgrading the Mast Sheaves
00:40:41 Rudder / Tiller Installation
00:42:18 Upgrading the Tiller Extension
00:42:46 Boom Installation
00:43:17 Vang Installation
00:44:08 Upgrading the Spinnaker Halyard Cleat
00:45:47 Upgrading the Spinnaker Sheet Blocks
00:47:13 Spinnaker Halyard & Dousing Line Path
00:50:34 Main Sheet Path
00:51:54 Bridle Height Adjustment
00:54:31 Spinnaker Sheet Path
00:54:52 Jib Sheet Path
00:55:34 Ratchet Blocks - Spinnaker & Jib
00:56:09 Downhaul / Cunningham Path
Upgrade: Add a turning block at the base of the mast.
00:56:43 Vang Path
Upgrade: Use thinner Dyneema from the eye to the GNAV tube block to the dual block strap. Make a tapered vang line to run the dual block.
00:57:33 Jib Halyard Adjustment
00:57:48 Main Halyard Adjustment
00:57:59 Outhaul Path
00:59:15 Scupper Flap / Drain Cover Operation
Upgrade: SailZing.com offers customized, Delrin scupper flaps. Order at SailZing.com/shop
01:00:20 Sail Installation - Spinnaker
01:10:42 Sail Installation - Jib
01:16:12 Sail Installation - Main
Information is believed to be accurate at time of publishing.
SAILZING.com SailZing.com

[@SailZing]

Download our SailZing.com routing guide for Melges 15 running rigging here: sailzing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Melges-15-Line-Routing-SailZing.pdf

[@alecdanielbollorino9656]

The Toggle for gnat vang is backwards. The flat part goes on the bottom and the 45 angle on top.

[@SailZing]

The GNAV is installed correctly as shown in the video. The manufacturer's own video shows it the same way. th-cam.com/video/BdogJjXHcm0/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared&t=451

[@alecdanielbollorino9656]

You installed the spreaders wrong green is starboard and red is port.

[@SailZing]

You’re absolutely correct. We swapped the sides by accident. Spreader with red detail should be on the port side. Nice attention to detail!

[@celticspike7]

​@SailZing what tuning guide are you referring to? melges or from sail maker? thx

[@SailZing]

@@celticspike7 The Melges 15 tuning resources from Melges Performance Sailboats - www.melges15.com/guides-and-tutorials.