Amel

TiggerToo

TiggerToo

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What makes these boats so special?

I keep reading mentions of these boats, but never looked at them in detail. From a distance they do not have that special je ne sais pas quoi of a Swan or a Mystery

Can anyone elighten me?
 
Look at them in Detail

when I first heard of Amel I felt much as you do, over whelmed by ambivalence.
Then I was invited on board one in Cherbourg, the attention to detail, to reliability, serviceability and usability as well as being great to look at. Small things such as all of the internal panels can be easily removed to get at the hull should you need to. There is no diesel tank level gauge to fail or give false readings instead there is a simple sight tube right next to the companionway steps. The ketch rig is massive and designed to survive the loss of either mast.
The yard invite you each stage of the build, they will listen to your needs and desires and incorporate them if possible. these vessels are complex but not complicated. they are meant to sail anywhere quickly, safely and reliably.

Wish I could afford one.

Simes
 
http://www.amel.fr/

To add to your post :

Henri Amel donated the yard to the workers where the average seniority was about 25 years;
No boat has ever been delivered late;
Every boat is complete in sailaway state (down to the electric hairdryer)
One week induction training period for new owners;
Extensive overseas' back-up
No options policy - they know best what their boats need;
Unsinkable - water tight bulkheads;
Everything is push button : sail raising, reefing, anchor raising (and chain washing) retracting bow thruster;
Galley includes : microwave, dishwasher, fridge, deep-freeze
Storage space for hundreds of wine bottles under floor boards;
Visit to Gabon to select mahogany which is used after 5 years aging;
Sheet fairleads which can be adjusted by winch handle from the cockpit;
Special hook system for attaching halliards,
Propellor mounted on aft end of keel,
etc etc

PS Have a look at the new 64'

http://picasaweb.google.com/photosa...gCIjCnveB2ceCDA#slideshow/5509727486571736946

Note the extending roof over the cockpit.
 
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As the designer/builder got older the "current" model got more electrified.

IMHO he has overdone it for a true cruising boat now with electric everything but there is little doubt if you want a brand new sailaway blue water cruiser Amel is the way to go.

I would love to have a ketch rigged Santorin, the 46 footer built up to 1996. It was right at the top of my wish list on my boat hunt but they hold their value too well and even well used ones needing a refit go for around $200k which was too much for me.

No exposed wood, propshaft alternator big tanks ketch rig......... a proper cruising boat.
 
TiggerToo said:
From a distance they do not have that special je ne sais pas quoi of a Swan or a Mystery
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Not my opinion! When I first saw one I thought 'how beautiful', even more so than my Colvic Countess :eek:
Never been on one but the above comments are reinforcing my opinion.

Something that I noted that I might adopt was how they had run the main-sheet back to the mizzen and down to the cockpit.
 
I sail an early 90's Maramu regularly and find it entirely practical. The looks and character take some getting used to for some - very plastic and shiney stainless; angular. Some really clever ideas, as others have said, and they sail very well.

I'd probably take a Swan or a Hinckley over the Amel, but there's no doubting that the Amel is a well sorted long term cruising boat.
 
There are 3 53ft Super Maramu on the World ARC Rally with us and they are definitely the most complete, out of the box, blue water monohull you can find. There were previously 2 of the newer 54s as well with same philosophy but much higher price tag. Not surprising the 54s are expensive though as they have two of everything that really matters... ie 2 autohelms installed. One to use and the other ready to go at the flick of a switch.

The Amels make the Oyster 56 on the Rally look seriously overpriced and under specced!
 
Friend of mine bought a 54 last year and I went to the launch. Since then have had a very good look at it. The standard of fit is incredible. The rig is made in house from extrusions and is very strong. The all electric systems are not to my taste, but certainly work.
The works have a big pool outside with room for three. Each boat is tested for a week with all systems running. A high % of buyers are previous owners.
A
 
A club member bought a 54' a year or so ago and he and his wife are off round the world after having a year getting used to it.

He brought it to the club and SWMBO and I were invited on board. It was absolutely amazing in the standard of fit and fittings. The interior was entirely custom to the owners request.

Fantastic boat for serious long term cruising. Not my cup of tea even supposing I could afford one though.
 
At the bottom end of the scale there is a Fango (30ft) for sale in Majorca. Said to be built for Henri himself.

Typically quirky. No forecabin, just two saloon berths convertible into a double.

Awesome internal joinery.
 
KellysEye said:
IMHO Amels are one of the ugliest boats around. Also having sailed alongside one they are certainly not fast.
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Can bluewater cruisers be fast? I though fast was light and ofter overcanvassed. I don't think its fair to criticise a boat for not being what it was not designed to be.

Not many Solent racers would be my ideal choice for bluewater cruising.
 
Guapa said:
Originally Posted by Barnac1e
And a true bonus, the 'teak' decking is synthetic.
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Oh, yes :cool:
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I thought that may have touched a nerve somewhere.

Certainly it is unlike when Rassy (prior to becoming HR) tried to market yachts without a teak deck and the world beat a path AWAY from their door - they had to reluctantly resume the insanity of installing the ponderous ticking time-bomb again.

Amel was more lucky to have a viable alternative that both satisfied the wood-deck fanatics and yet be a practical permanent surface, albeit getting almost as hot underfoot as the real thing in the tropics.
 
TQA said:
there is little doubt if you want a brand new sailaway blue water cruiser Amel is the way to go
Click to expand...

It seems that not many agree with you, as they hardly sell any at all, and there are lots of alternatives.

I think serious cruising folk generally have strong opinions on what they like and don't like, so the policy of no options seems perverse.

Anyway, each to his own, but personally I think they are ugly, and no matter how suitable they may be for the task I would get no pleasure from ownership.

Apologies of course to anyone out there who has one. Just my opinion of course. In a way it's a good job we all have different views on beauty - it helps reduce competition in so many areas.:)
 
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