Amel 50 - I want one...

In terms of the interior, which I guess sells a lot of boats in this market, I am not sure that the 1960's Scandinavian look is a winner for an quality product.

Island Packet have had a go and the GT 35 failed to gain admirers who would buy.
Making a cheap product look like and expensive one is an established technique but the other way around is a bit of a stretch.
 
This certainly looks like a change of direction for Amel. To my memory the previous ketch designs had a definite bias towards sea worthiness and offshore practicality, such as a good sea going galley, plenty of hand holds when moving about below, water tight bulkhead doors etc. This looks more like a boat for marinas and sheltered water sailing and anchorages!
I know which I would choose for a blue water boat!
 
wully1 said:
I could maybe live with the looks outside but the interior is just hideous to my eyes - too many straight lines and ' designer' input...

It looks like the tacky and flimsy interior of any new AWB....
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The standard of finish on an Amel must be seen to be believed. It's not for nothing that they are known In France as the Rolls Royce of yachts.

Henri Amel was unyielding on what materials were to be used on his boats which meant that they used to have a no options policy. "We know what is the best equipment available." eg the wood used was Gabon mahogany which the yard manager would select directly in the forests. Before being used it was aged for several years both in Gabon and subsequently in France.

Since Henri's demise they have lightened up a bit - hence the use of light oak on this model and third party architects (Berret & Raccoupeau) to up the brand's sailing performance - but there is no question of dumbing down the formulae which have led them to be one of the major suppliers of large, quality sailing boats.
 
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Sybarite said:
The standard of finish on an Amel must be seen to be believed. It's not for nothing that they are known In France as the Rolls Royce of yachts.

Henri Amel was unyielding on what materials were to be used on his boats which meant that they used to have a no options policy. "We know what is the best equipment available." eg the wood used was Gabon mahogany which the yard manager would select directly in the forests. Before being used it was aged for several years both in Gabon and subsequently in France.

Since Henri's demise they have lightened up a bit - hence the use of light oak on this model and third party architects (Berret & Raccoupeau) to up the brand's sailing performance - but there is no question of dumbing down the formulae which have led them to be one of the major suppliers of large, quality sailing boats.
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No matter how hard you try and how many nice things you say about them they are not going to give you a freebie, keep trying though:encouragement:
 
doug748 said:
In terms of the interior, which I guess sells a lot of boats in this market, I am not sure that the 1960's Scandinavian look is a winner for an quality product.

Island Packet have had a go and the GT 35 failed to gain admirers who would buy.
Making a cheap product look like and expensive one is an established technique but the other way around is a bit of a stretch.
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If I read your post correctly you are suggesting that Island Packet designed interiors to be similar to 1960's Scandanavian designs.

Being a current IP owner I find myself at a loss to work out exactly which model IP you are talking about.

I have always been of the opinion that IP interiors were like American boats-Pacific Seacraft, Morgan etc., not 1960's Scandanavian ones.

They are a byword for spaciousness for living aboard-unlike, in my experience, similar sized Scandanavian models.

Please enlighten me further.
 
I wonder how much this boat is? I received a spam from Discovery Yachts earlier in the week. The share showing a Discovery 54 and a Discovery 55 at the boat show and the prices are about £50,000 apart, both either side of £1m. I have no idea of the logic behind that; the 54 is not on their website.
 
rotrax said:
If I read your post correctly you are suggesting that Island Packet designed interiors to be similar to 1960's Scandanavian designs.

Being a current IP owner I find myself at a loss to work out exactly which model IP you are talking about.

I have always been of the opinion that IP interiors were like American boats-Pacific Seacraft, Morgan etc., not 1960's Scandanavian ones.

They are a byword for spaciousness for living aboard-unlike, in my experience, similar sized Scandanavian models.

Please enlighten me further.
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I was speaking about the Amel 50, I thought we all were?

Maybe I missed something?

Oh, hang on, I see what you mean. I was referring to Island Packet launching the Blue Jacket brand, which failed to do well, I think.
 
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Part of my reasoning for wanting to move away from sailing out of the Hamble is that I just get sick of looking at these naff ugly eyesores.


geem said:
That is one ugly boat!
I think we are now at a stage where yacht designers have no sailing experience or so it seems from some of the appauling modern designs.
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The yacht designers are designing to their market. They no longer need to make something that sails, not because they don't sail but because their customers know roger all about it. Builders realised a few years ago that they didn't need to sell the boat the second time. The first buyers want big and naff because they're big and naff so that is what designers build. The fact that those hull windows will leak in 25 years is not an issue because the first owner hasn't been around long enough to realise.
 
I have never understood windows in the hull - not having them myself.

I actually think in theory they are a good idea - it is lovelly looking out through them (even though they are low) and I like the idea of as much light as possible. However, I have to admit bumping the side quite hard once (it happens) and I do wonder just how robust they actually are and, as others have mentioned, the number of scratches they pick up over time?
 
Seven Spades said:
I wonder how much this boat is? I received a spam from Discovery Yachts earlier in the week. The share showing a Discovery 54 and a Discovery 55 at the boat show and the prices are about £50,000 apart, both either side of £1m. I have no idea of the logic behind that; the 54 is not on their website.
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Dont quote me but I believe the 54 is a reworking of the Southerly 535 with a fixed keel. Originally a Dubois design which is now confusingly being sold as a Southerly 540.
 
ip485 said:
I have never understood windows in the hull - not having them myself.

I actually think in theory they are a good idea - it is lovelly looking out through them (even though they are low) and I like the idea of as much light as possible. However, I have to admit bumping the side quite hard once (it happens) and I do wonder just how robust they actually are and, as others have mentioned, the number of scratches they pick up over time?
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Nothing to worry about. The windows are as strong as the hull. Much of the technology of design particularly attachment has come from the automotive world where bonded in windows have been the norm for 30 years or more.
 
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