Since our initial involvement with the 5.5mR class – that was with LIZZA, which is a classic boat – we were intrigued with the modern designs available. These are very powerful boats, fast in the water and exciting to race. We initially chartered one modern and raced it at the 2019 German Open. After that race, we were always looking for the right boat to buy. We found that in Australia, AUS-60, owned by John Bacon. The deal was sealed on January 2020 and the boat was shipped from Perth. It arrived in Piraeus on April 2020. Due to COVID-19 our training on the boat to date has been very limited. However, as we seemingly move past the pandemic, we have plans for it….
MELX III, with sail number GRE-5, is a 2000 Sebastien Schmidt design, build by Christof Wilke & Co in Switzerland. It has regularly been upgraded ever since. It also has electric trim tabs on the keel – most 5.5s have manual trim tabs. Currently the boat is at the Yacht Club Greece in Mikrolimano, Piraeus. Our plan is to relocate her, as soon as the racing season starts, somewhere in central Europe in order to be closer to the major European events that we intend to participate with her.
