Kelpie
Well-Known Member
Delos recently posted a very interesting interview with Amel's naval architect- well worth a watch.
Amel 50 - I want one...
- Thread starter Sybarite
- Start date
Boom23
Member
We met with Olivier too. Very nice guy. He and his wife have designed countless, to me, beautiful boats. I was interested about his comparison of the 50 and the 55. Basically, he said that they are very similar in performance. Their waterline length is about 1 foot different. He also said how much of a struggle it was to have Amel agree on the 50 design and have the 50 meet the Amel's requirements.
We also met with the boom manufacturer. He told us how picky Amel is with suppliers. You first have to earn Amel's trust by meeting their delivery schedule and quality requirements before they give you more projects. Everything that goes on an Amel is scrutinized to make sure if meets the Amel spirit, design philosophy.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
I remember reading about how they chose the mahogany for the interior (when that was the only choice). The yard manager went to Gabon and chose the trees in the forest. These were then felled and left there several years to mature. They were then shipped to France where they spent several more years before being used.
Boom23
Member
That's what separates Amel from every other yard I visited. The Amel spirit. I thought it was a marketing gimmick but that's not the case. It's not a yard that cuts corners. I appreciate that. Now I know why most Amel buyers have owned Amel boats before. It's a special yard.
After we went aboard the 50, we commented that we would like to replace the master cabin table and seat with cabinets. We thought they would just ignore us. Amel is not a custom boat yard. Next day we visited Olivier Racoupeau. He told us that he's working on designing the cabinets we asked for. What??? Talk about customer service! They thought our request was a good improvement/option and they acted on it.
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De.windhoos
Well-Known Member
Did they also change the square showerhead knobs to rounded? Looks nice, but seems to me to be a nice bruiser when taking a shower underway.
Boom23
Member
I believe they are changing them on the 55. I'll talk to them about the 50.
They are working on rounding up some counter square edges.
I was overwhelmed when I was there. Next time, I'll pay attention to more things. For instance, I was in the engine room and I forgot to take a video. I was just grinning like an idiot... My wife knew I would be in there for a while.
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Sybarite
Well-Known Member
Chris Beeson mentionned that they were changing the square knobs in his review of the 55.
It would be illogical not to change them on all the models.
Boom23
Member
I would be very interested in seeing a video review of the 50 by Chris Beeson. He does some of the most thorough reviews and he doesn't hold back on his opinion.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
I think he may have left before the 50 was available.
boatboat
Active Member
That's interesting because the changes from the 55 to 50 are very significant.
You lose the ketch rig which is so versatile.
You lose the protected rudder for spade rudders
You lose the keel protected prop for a normal transmission.
You lose the seaworthy layout for an open plan layout.
The hull design looks more suited to light displacement racing boats.
I wonder if old Henri Amel would approve?
De.windhoos
Well-Known Member
Are you planning on adding solar panels etc? I’m curious if Amel came up with a nicely designed arch and why they haven’t made this standard. Especially given the fact that Amels are fairly power intensive boats.
Boom23
Member
Amel has an option for a couple of solar panels over the Amel designed davits. I saw the drawings but not the actual davits.
I'm hoping to fit some semi-flexible panels on the sides of the cockpit enclosure and maybe on the sliding part of the top. They don't have an arch that I know of.
I really like solar panels. It's the most trouble-free source of energy. On my Lagoon 450 I had about 900 watts of solar. I didn't have to turn on the generator at all on sunny days.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
Maybe get sails which have solar panels incorporated?
De.windhoos
Well-Known Member
De.windhoos
Well-Known Member
It would be wonderful if you would create a new post describing your dealings with Amel and the birth of your new baby
Monique
Well-Known Member
Semi flexibles are not very power capable. I have 3 X 150W panels atop my gantry davits and no need of genset when at anchor using the freezer and refrigerator.
Boom23
Member
The Amel panels are 2 x 200w. It would be nice if I could add an extra 200w. But, I still want to keep the boat looking nice.
I've used Solar, Wind generators and hydro-generators on my Lagoon 450. Solar is by far the best.
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Boom23
Member
I'll document things. I have a very good feeling about this transaction and the result. I first have to figure out how to deal with financial transactions with a French company from USA.
Boom23
Member
That would work when sailing, not so much at anchor
That was my problem with the hydro-generator. It was only useful during night crossings. Even then, the batteries had enough capacity to power the autopilot and instruments. I found the hydro-generator great for racing but not very useful for cruising. Cruisers spend 95% plus of their time on anchor.
Monique
Well-Known Member
I have an Amel SM. My electrics have been upgraded to reduce the battery needs. I get away with 8 house/1 engine start whereas boats in the SM2000 line have 12/1 batteries. Given my 450W solar capacity, I am 100% self contained in good sunny climes; I start the genset for laundry, water making or Air Conditioning. If Amel would consider going up in capacity to 500W, you will be in absolute clover. Ensure you have a large inverter (Cotek 3KW.. superb) to cover the daily needs... very convenient to boil a cuppa or using the induction plate without resorting to engine or genset. I will subscribe to your "build thread" when you post one... well done mate. If my drool gets to your keyboard, you'll know who it came from . 