amel 60 yacht review

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Amel 60 review: This modern cruiser is a true benchmark for quality

The French yard has built 50+ years of knowledge into its new world cruising flagship the Amel 60, reports Matthew Sheahan

I’m guessing that rival manufacturers of bluewater cruisers know when their prospective clients have been to Amel. They realise when their prospects come to them to discuss the detail, and they’ll be holding a long list of questions about what is included in the standard specification.The list will be long. Very long. And if these potential customers then choose to reveal their budget based on this detailed list, the challenge for any of Amel’s rivals will be to suppress the inevitable sharp intake of breath when their sales staff hear the bottom line.Amel has long held a reputation for producing high quality, long distance cruisers that come equipped with everything. It’s a reputation that’s well deserved.

While other yards may lay claim to a similar goal, it has been Amel’s dogged determination to keep things simple that has contributed to the French company’s sustained success.

For starters, it has never produced more than two models at any one time. “In our firm, we don’t change models every year, but we keep perfecting the ones we make,” Henri is quoted as saying.

But restricting its new launches to one a decade for the first 34 years was a strategy at odds with others in the business. Surely anyone looking to buy a boat they call home rather than a weekend plaything would want to express themselves and put their mark on it?This is where Amel has been so clever because, while this is broadly true, the flip side of swapping life ashore for that of living the dream afloat is that many people are nervous about such a big step, no matter how boldly they started out.

To be shown a detailed standard specification where all the key thinking has been done goes a long way to calming any post-purchase, pre-delivery anxiety.

The new style Amel involves more than just good looks. Modern lines, a plumb bow and wide aft sections make for a powerful boat. Her jib leads on the coachroof are a subtle indication of the new focus on performance. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

As an example, the list of options for its latest and largest Amel doesn’t even make two pages of A4. For most, the decisions that are required will need so little debate that the entire boat could be specified over a lunchtime pint at the pub.

So, when it comes to writing a boat test for the new Amel 60, there’s a temptation to start with the long list of standard equipment and build a story around that. Yet to start there would be to do little justice to a new model that marks the second chapter in a big step forward for this company.

Let’s be honest. For all their attributes, Amels have rarely been the prettiest of boats nor, I would argue, the most contemporary. But the Amel 60 changes all that. This new Berret-Racoupeau design doesn’t just look modern, she is clearly on trend, starting with her hull shape.

The Amel 60 is a Berret-Racoupeau design. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Plumb bows are all the rage, as are fixed bowsprits. So too are lines that open out into beamy, powerful sections aft that then benefit from twin rudders. And given that when these shapes are combined with the correct buoyancy distribution they can deliver a quicker hull form with few vices, it’s an obvious choice for cruising designs to adopt the secondary benefits that come with this fuller form.

Increased volume, both for the accommodation and the deck lockers, are among the key advantages. Twin rudders reduce drag when heeled and provide a more balanced, surefooted feel when under way, but they also provide a level of redundancy should one of them get damaged. Plus, for those who spend more time in areas like the Mediterranean, the shallower rudders help with mooring stern-to.

The Amel 60 has all of these advantages and, with its dark, rectangular hull portlights and tinted wraparound windscreen, it takes on the looks of the modern cruising generation.

With a layout designed to be as versatile as possible, the Amel 60 can be operated by two, easily sleeps six and has the capacity for eight people in total

The smaller Amel 50 was the first to break the mould and set the new style when launched in 2017. A brave new look along with its quality of build and fit out was recognised straight away and it shot up the charts winning European Yacht of the Year in 2018. The company has since built just short of 50 boats. Apart from looks, one of the biggest departures from the original style was the move from ketch to sloop rig.

Previously, ketch rigs were incorporated to divide the sail plan into manageable chunks and make sail handling easier. Yet that was in an era where sail handling systems were not as efficient and reliable as they are today. Plus, with the modern trend for aft swept spreaders and full-width chainplate bases, taller rigs can be more secure and dispense with the need for running backstays.

Higher aspect ratio sail plans are more efficient as a result and are also easier to manage thanks to improvements in sail furling technology. Add twin independent fixed backstays into the equation and you have an extremely well supported mast.

In short, times have changed and Amel has responded. But the 60 takes the concept even further by making a bold statement with a carbon mast fitted as standard. Interestingly, it’s the sail plan that provides some of the bigger decisions when it comes to ticking boxes on the options list.

Among the key choices is the option to have a self-tacking cutter rig. The test boat had this and it worked well, particularly as the staysail has decent proportions and is mounted sufficiently far forward to make it a good sail on its own in a breeze. Unfortunately we didn’t have such conditions for the test, but even though a staysail adds just short of €20,000 to the bill, for me it’s an obvious box to tick.

Another is the option for a free-flying, furling Code 0, which will nudge the bill up by another €18,000. But again this is money well spent in my mind to provide an extra gear for light airs upwind sailing (which we did get to experience), along with better performance in stronger breezes downwind.

Fixed bowsprit and electric furlers are standard,

the second windlass an option. Photo: Jérôme Ricoul

The move to sloop configuration has also freed up deck space as well and simplified the overall layout. The most obvious area is on the after deck which is now a wide, open space, perfect for sunbathing or stowing a dinghy on deck if you don’t want the optional davits.

Keeping the side decks clutter free has always been one of the key features of an Amel and nothing has changed aboard the 60, which has to be one of the easiest and most secure decks to move about on that you’ll find in this size and style. The solid rails running around the entire deck, higher than most conventional guardwires, are another common and popular feature of the marque.

Solid deck rails add to the sense of security on board. Photo: Jérôme Ricoul

Security, both real and perceived, is an important feature of an Amel and nowhere is this more obvious than in the centre cockpit. This deep and largely enclosed area is more pilothouse than cockpit, albeit with a sliding solid sunroof that helps to open things up in the right conditions. Yet given how enclosed this area is, the all round visibility is generally very good.

When it comes to handling the boat alone under sail, it is pretty easy thanks to the well-sorted panel for the sail control systems. Indeed, although it is possible to wind everything by hand, you’d consider yourself pretty unlucky if you had to break out a winch handle.

But while I was impressed with the layout, comfort and security, a particular reservation I have with this configuration is the ability to drive electric sheet winches that are behind you. The ease with which you could activate a winch without seeing a hand placed on it or the accidental development of an override is worrying.

Amel has stuck to its offset, forward helm station from which the entire boat can be managed with guest seating behind. Photo: Ilago

The answer would seem to be to be diligent about never operating a winch without looking aft, but then this does raise issues about looking ahead too. Having said that, what did get my vote in this department was the mainsheet winch mounted to starboard of the companionway hatch and within easy reach of the helmsman.

A far smaller issue was the angular and rather sharp feel to the grab handles mounted in the guest area of the cockpit. Stylish perhaps, but not a great feel.

But a big plus, especially for those with plenty of sea miles and real world experience, is the engine room access. Lifting the cockpit floor with the help of the permanently fitted gas struts provides access to the business end of the boat in seconds. It is, quite simply, the best engine access you can imagine.

And with such a large opening the engine room cools down quickly and provides plenty of light, air and space when you’re down there.

Comprehensive fit-out

When Isabelle Racoupeau set about creating the interior design for the Amel 60 she put a particular focus on lights and lighting that create, ‘warmth and refinement’ as well as a ‘chic, open and bright’ atmosphere. And from the minute you descend the companionway steps to enter the saloon you can’t miss what she’d set out to achieve.

Light streams into the accommodation and, aside from being very much on trend, the effect is a welcome one that is enhanced by the modern styling throughout the accommodation.

When it comes to the overall layout there’s nothing particularly surprising. The main saloon is amidships with the navigation station tucked away to port while the longitudinal galley is to starboard and the owner’s cabin set aft. Forward a pair of doubles is mirrored each side of the centreline, each with its own shower and heads.

Engine access is the envy of the bluewater cruising world.

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

All are finished beautifully in a choice of either light oak or walnut. Mahogany is no longer an option aboard Amel yachts. Style and layout are, as always, subjective, but what is not up for debate is the level of detail and the comprehensive fit-out.

The galley is the best example. Here, from the microwave to the induction hob, the washer-drier to the dishwasher and plenty more, all are fitted as standard. And when the layout has been so expertly installed it would seem rude not to tick the boxes for an icemaker, a wine cooler and a second deep freeze.

The comprehensively fitted out galley is set to port. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Among the most expensive extras on a short list of options is the air-conditioning at €26,000, the heating system at €18,000 and the watermaker at €18,500. Given the variety of uses that owners may wish for their 60, it is easy to see why Amel has left these as options rather than adding them to the list of standard equipment.

Our light weather sea trials demonstrated how well the Amel 60 would slip along in light airs. In 6-7 knots true wind and flat water, we sat at 5.4 knots – impressive stuff for a 26 tonne boat. With its cutter configuration, the Amel sails well and is easy to manage while its electrically furled Code 0 is a doddle to operate.

Sadly we didn’t get to sail in a stronger breeze and bigger seas. Here, the key for me would be in whether it has the feel to make it a boat you would want to helm for the pleasure of it or whether the autopilot would go on.

I say this because I have reservations about the long steering cable runs to her twin rudders and, based on colleagues’ comments about the Amel 50, I would take a guess that finger light feel is not her strongest card.

While twin rudders provide some real benefits when the breeze is up and the pace is on aboard any yacht, another drawback comes when it’s time to manoeuvre at close quarters under power. The Amel 60 is no different, and the lack of propwalk makes it difficult to turn tightly in a small space.

Fortunately, the option to fit a retractable stern thruster in addition to the standard bow thruster changes this and makes her a nimble and manageable boat under engine. In many ways the yacht’s construction is the easiest part to describe and assess. Built as a solid laminate below the waterline and a PVC foam sandwich above it, the hull and deck are resin infused, a technique introduced with the Amel 50.

Where it remains the same as its predecessors is that this is a solidly built boat throughout, has Amel’s well known maintenance-free, teak effect decks and adheres to the best practices of bluewater boat building. The conclusion is clear: this is a genuine go-anywhere cruiser for two from a company with a pedigree and popularity to back up such claims and a price tag to make others draw breath.

For those familiar with Amel it will come as no surprise at all that the 60 is a comprehensively fitted out boat, well built and reassuringly easy to handle short-handed. For those who are not, and who are looking to buy a boat of this size and type, you really should put this on your list in order to check out where the true benchmark for value for money versus practical and solid engineering lies. And, if you can, go to the yard in La Rochelle and see the operation for yourself. There are few others like it in the world.

Brett Lyall A lifelong, passionate boater, Brett brings 26 years of sailing and 18 years of powerboat knowledge to the McMichael team. His background includes Environmental engineering and consulting, along with 7 years of sales and marketing experience in the luxury market. In addition to being an avid fisherman, surfer, and scuba diver, he is a sailing coach and has crewed extensively offshore on a variety of boats from J109, J105, J99 and 112E to a Gunboat 57. His knowledge of all things boating related is second only to his reputation for exceptional customer service and professionalism.

Doug Conner Doug’s life-long love of all things nautical naturally led him to pursue a career in luxury yacht brokerage. His professional background in sales and marketing, combined with his overall experience in and passion for the yachting industry, makes him a valuable asset to his clients for sail and power boats. Doug is committed to providing his clients with honest, professional, knowledgeable, and personal service.

Myles McQuone Myles is a licensed captain from age 18. He is a third Generation Merchant Mariner, operating boats runs deep in his family. Myles has held multiple roles within the marine industry between Marine Towing and Salvage, Marine Technician and Marine Service Manager. Myles’ focus has always had the customers best interest in mind; expect the same attention while consulting with Myles.

Ethan Morawski Ethan grew up in Fairfield CT and has been sailing for 13 years and powerboating for 10 years all over Long Island Sound. He has worked in the marine industry since High School and has an excellent reputation for superb customer service, seamanship, and attention to details. He is a graduate of Bryant University in RI.

Position Title: Boat Yard Crew Member Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred

Reports to: Service Manager

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside a team of supportive and experienced marine industry professionals. Your primary role will be to support the efficient daily operations of the McMichael yacht yard and the satisfaction of our customers.

This will include a variety of functions and tasks including basic property maintenance, launch and recovery of boats, cleaning, crane and forklift operations, blocking boats, and winter storage and other relevant duties as assigned.

Core Skills:

• Ability to clearly understand instructions and complete tasks accordingly
• Mechanically inclined
• Able to lift and reposition equipment, tools, and materials
• Basic boat operations – power and sail (will train)
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written
• Focus on customer satisfaction
• Proactive mindset
• Able to work unsupervised
• Ability to collaboratively work well with other team members

Responsibilities:

• Support of daily operations
• Support clients boating activities, prepping boats, fueling, etc.
• Safe operation of company vehicles, forklifts, and equipment, including trailer handling
• Haul, block and launch boats
• Boat cleaning and detailing
• Bottom paint and waxing boats
• Dock and marina area maintenance
• Shrink wrapping
• Repositioning boats

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical environment of the boatyard, which includes being around boats and being on the water. They will have at least two to three years of experience at a previous boat yard or yacht club. Their background will include a familiarity with boats. They will be someone who enjoys the boating lifestyle and enjoys working outdoors. They value working in a team and being part of a family-owned organization an enhancing part of the local community. We encourage you to apply if you do not have the experience but are dedicated to building a career in the marine industry.

What does a typical workday look like? A typical morning could involve arriving and immediately removing covers, prepping several boats to be launched and readied for use by their clients. You could find yourself assisting with changing a large tire on a trailer or rigging and craning a boat onto a truck for transportation. Daily activities will also include basic maintenance of the boatyard facilities which includes painting, building repair, emptying garbage, and cleaning, as well as assisting technicians with boat maintenance.

Salary range: $15 – $30

Email: [email protected]

https://vimeo.com/758079548

Position Title: Fiberglass / GelCoat Technician Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside a team of supportive and experienced marine industry professionals. Your primary role will be fiberglass and gel-coat repair work on sailboats and powerboats. The fiberglass work will include everything from small parts repair to structural repair and rebuilds. The gelcoat work will be similarly inclusive and will also involve spaying hull bottoms and topsides with boat bottom paint and gelcoat.

• Working with vinylester, polyester, and epoxy resins
• Experience working with various coring materials
• Knowledge of gelcoat matching and application
• Cutting, grinding and finish sanding
• Visually spot imperfections in all parts
• Use of buffers, DA’s, pencil grinders etc.
• Finish buffing and polishing
• Exceptional paint rolling and spraying finishing
• Proactive mindset and able to work unsupervised
• Complete fiberglass and composite repair work to the highest possible standards
• Spray gelcoat, clear coat, and metal flake consistently and evenly to desired thickness
• Getting the customer back on the water with a safe operating boat
• Ensuring all repair work structurally and visually exceeds expectations
• Lifting heaving objects
• Assisting the entire service teams with various tasks

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical environment of the boatyard, which includes being around boats and being on the water. They will have at least two to three years of experience in fiberglass and composites fabrication or repair as well as experience with painting and gelcoat work or similar skill sets. Their background will include a familiarity with boats and enjoy delivering exceptional finish work. They will be someone who appreciates the boating lifestyle and working sail and powerboats. We are looking for a person who values working in a team and being part of a family-owned organization that is a respected part of the local community.

Salary and benefits: $50 – 70k, Medical, 401K

Position Title: Marine Service Mechanic Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred. Certifications Preferred. Equal skills and high motivation also accepted.

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside a team of supportive and experienced marine industry professionals. Your primary role will be engine maintenance and repairs for both gas and diesel engine systems as well as service and repair work on a variety of other boat system. A large part of this position will include troubleshooting, engine and drive preventative maintenance, emergency repairs at the yard or at the location of the boat needing service. You will be working on inboard and outboard systems and interacting and communicating with our boaters, so a focus on customer service is an important skill. Certification not initial required but is a plus.

• Effective and knowledgeable mechanic
• Problem solving – engines, drives, control systems and electrical
• Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting
• Engine rebuilds, 12v DC systems, machining work
• Gas and diesel engine/generator operations
• Wiring and soldering
• Performing maintenance and repairs safely and quickly
• Have your own set of tools
• Performing functionality checks on engines and systems
• Basic boat operations

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical environment of the boatyard, which includes being around boats and being on the water. They will have at least two to three years of experience as a marine service technician, automotive mechanic, Gen Tech, or similar skill sets. Their background will include a familiarity with boats and enjoy solving mechanical and systems issues. They will be someone who enjoys the boating lifestyle and working outdoors. They value working in a team and being part of a family-owned organization an enhancing part of the local community. We encourage you to apply if you do not have the experience but are dedicated to building a career in the marine service industry.

Salary and benefits: $60 – 80k, Medical, 401K

Position Title: Yacht Sales Consultant Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred

Reports to: Sales Manager

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside the McMichael Sales Team to consult with our client boaters, guiding them to find and purchase the best yacht for their modern boating needs. You will work with an experienced team that specializes in premium racing and sailing yachts, as well as high-performance inboard and outboard day and cruising power yachts. You will work with existing clients as well as being responsible for identifying, nurturing, and closing new clients. You will cultivate relationships with our clients and their families that demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism for the McMichael brand. You will be supported by the team to help you locate, acquire, and nurture prospective new client boaters. You will be a part of a sales and service team that caters to the all-encompassing boating needs of the McMichael community of boaters.

• Active listening
• Conveying key features and distinguishing selling points of a given boat model
• Ability to close high-value sales from $500k – $3M
• Prospect farming
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Influencing with content through digital and social media tools
• Consulting with and guiding clients effectively
• Proactive mindset that fosters successful unsupervised work
• Ability to work collaboratively with other team members
• Close deals on new yacht sales
• Deliver world class service in the form of professionalism, knowledge, and customer service
• Acquire and develop prospects into leads, then into new boat sales
• Attend boat shows and events to meet with and engage boaters
• Use digital and social media tools to engage with boaters
• Secure used boat listings
• Close used boat sales
• Guide boaters through the research, selection, specification, closing, delivery, and commissioning process
• Work with the Sales Team to constantly increase brand and model knowledge
• Influence your client boaters to choose McMichael Yards for their boat servicing and storage needs

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical/boating lifestyle and has grown up around boats. They will have previous experience selling in the corporate environment, in addition to a strong boating background and several years of selling yachts over 30 feet and over $500K. They will be an excellent communicator who is able to convey information clearly and concisely. They will be motivated to constantly learn more and achieve more regarding new boats and sales goals. They will be a person who can collaborate with all the members of the sales team to find creative solutions to barriers and issues.

Experience Level Experienced as a sail or power boater or similar industry background 2-3 years preferred

Salary and benefits: Base of $50 – $70k, commissions, Medical, 401K

John Glynn John brings to McMichael more than three decades of sailing, boating and sales experience. In addition to his time at BEYC, Glynn’s resume includes years as an Associate Editor (and Contributing Editor) for Sailing World magazine, where he was part of the team that created both the “Boat of the Year” awards and the NOOD Regattas. Over the years he has raced aboard C&C 40s, New York 36s, J/35s, Express 37s and Farr 40s, as well as his own J/30 and Soverel 33 Grey Seal. He boats with his family out of Captain Harbor in Greenwich, CT.

“John brings a wealth of experience as a racer, boat owner and industry professional,” said Michael Beers, McMichael Sales Manager. “He will be a fantastic resource for his clients in buying and selling boats. We’re proud to have him on our team, and his background will help us continue to fulfill our motto, ‘Experience Counts!’”

“I’ve been fortunate enough to spend my career in and around the sailing and boating community, enabling me to love the various jobs I’ve held,” said Glynn. “In joining McMichael Yacht Brokers I’ve found another fresh, new outlet from which to apply my knowledge of and passion for yachting. Moreover, I’m able to do that while working in the company of some of the finest yacht brokers in the business. It is my hope to bring to my brokerage customers a sense of confidence and satisfaction as they make yacht transactions, both from the buyer’s and seller’s sides.”

Cameron Campbell Cameron has been boating his entire life, starting as a toddler on Great South Bay on Long Island. He grew up in Connecticut and spent every summer on Long Island Sound. In college he was a member of the University of Rhode Island Sailing Team and also ran operations at the URI Waterfront Center. After college he was an ASA Sailing Instructor at the New York Sailing School on City Island and then for Olympic Circle Sailing on San Francisco Bay. He participated in many regattas on both coasts in both small and large boats. He owned a Sabre for many years which he cruised from Annapolis to Maine. Cameron also has experience with power boats ranging from center consoles though larger cruisers.

Cameron has been working with clients preparing for Bermuda races, extensive blue water cruising, and many that are new to boating.

Rick Fleig Rick grew up on Long Island spending many years sailing on the Sound in everything from J/22′s to J/105′s, Custom C&C 41′s and many other boats, competing in all the major Northeast events. This experience and passion for sailing led him on a path to sail in the 1987 America’s Cup in Perth, Australia with both the Courageous and USA Syndicates. He has sailed in many major international regattas, including the Swan World Championships in Sardinia, the World 6 Meter Championships in Portofino, Italy, and several Newport Bermuda races.

Rick combines his extensive sailing background with both the marine and sports industry, having worked as a regional sales manager at SunfishLaser and Vanguard Sailboats, and prior to that as a regional sales representative with sporting goods giant Nike. He believes that building relationships and understanding the clients’ needs are essential in helping customers have a great experience with their boats. He works out of the McMichael Yacht Broker’s Newport office at the Newport Shipyard.

Rick resides in Portsmouth, RI, with his family, having fallen in love with the Newport area during his many sailing events there. He recently retired as the director/coach of the Portsmouth High School Sailing Team after many years, and along with his wife, Carline, now enjoys his time proudly following their youngest son, Tyler, who just finished his second year at the US Naval Academy. Tyler is a very accomplished sailor himself, and a member of the nationally ranked USNA dinghy sailing team. Rick is a member of Sail Newport and can be seen racing many weeknights and weekends in all the local events in a variety of boats.

Michael Beers Michael is a licensed captain and active racer who began his sailing career in Boston on the Charles River. As someone who did not grow up sailing, he especially enjoys introducing new boaters to the sport. Michael has a proven track record of working tirelessly for his clients, and enjoys working directly with buyers to identify the best possible “next boat” from the many options available. He is an active racer, recently racing in the J/70 fleet at Quantum Key West Race Week and aboard the J/130 Dragonly in the 2012 Newport Bermuda Race.

Prior to joining McMichael in 2007, he captained the 80′ schooner Adirondack II in Newport, RI and was an instructor at Offshore Sailing. In his free time, he enjoys cruising his Sabre.

Todd Williams Todd started sailing on his family’s cruising boat before his memory serves. His love of racing was cultivated through sailing Blue Jays and Lasers in Pequot Yacht Club’s junior program.  Since then he has actively raced in the J105 fleet, J109 fleet, and helped form the J122 class. He also developed and helped launch the LIS IRC 35 class.  Todd is an experienced distance sailor and was involved with winning the Vineyard race class and IRC overall aboard the J122 Partnership.  

Todd enjoys using his extensive knowledge of boating to find his clients the boat that best suits their needs.  He is dedicated to providing the best possible service to all his customers.  Todd can often be found racing with clients and helping them build their racing programs. Through the years, he has custom built many J/Boats, Alerions, and MJM power boats for clients, many of whom he now considers personal friends.

During the winter season you may spot the Williams family on the slopes at Okemo where they have a ski house.

Andy Kaplan Starting October 4, Andrew (Andy) Kaplan has joined the brokerage team at McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers. The addition increases the McMichael roster to seven full-time yacht brokers serving customers up and down the east coast with a concentration on the Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. He will work primarily out of the McMichael Mamaroneck, NY, office as well as Martha’s Vineyard.

“Andy is bringing to McMichael a lifetime of experience in sail and power boating with a keen focus in the sailboat racing world,” said McMichael President Steve Leicht. “His broad familiarity with offshore and one-design sailboats combined with his powerboating experience makes him an ideal addition to our brokerage team.”

Kaplan spent the majority of his career in finance including helping create the Quattro Global Capital, LLC where he was a principal and head of operation and marketing. “I believe that my financial sales and management experience is a great asset as I transition to yacht brokerage,” noted Kaplan. “While they are different industries, to succeed in either you need similar disciplines when matching buyers with the right product. That’s what creates and maintains long term customer relationships.”

Kaplan grew-up in Mamaroneck and has been a member of the Larchmont Yacht Club for over 30 years where he has been active in the Club’s leadership. He lives in New Rochelle, NY, and on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

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BOAT TEST: AMEL 60 (WITH GALLERY)

(Images: J Ricoul)

Last year I organised a test of a highly respected marque, which will remain nameless. The day before the test, the forecast was for 20-25 knots. Given that the test was in the Solent and the yacht was over 40ft (12.2m), that sounded ideal. Not so; the broker said it was too breezy and the test was cancelled.

Now, I’m sure the circumstances were fair enough and I’m not having a go. I believe it was an owner’s boat etc etc, but every time I think of that manufacturer now, it seems somehow diminished in my eyes. The same certainly cannot be said of the Amel 60. The forecast for the day of the test was for 25-30kt increasing to 35-40 as the day wore on. Despite this, we headed out down the Rade de Toulon with little more than a Gallic shrug.

That is fitting, too, because Amel has built up a reputation not only for building one of the hardiest blue water cruising yachts out there, but also – surely – for being most French manufacturer of all time. The blue water argument is fairly easy to substantiate. I urge you to head to any obscure sailing outpost in the Pacific or Atlantic and it won’t be long before you find an Amel there; salt-encrusted, weathered by many miles of trade-wind sailing, yet still straining at her mooring lines and ready for the next port. The other side of my argument, that somehow this is the most French manufacturer of all time is harder to justify – but I assure you it’s true. These boats are as French as a packet of Gitanes and a glass of Pernod. To understand why, it’s important to understand a bit about founder Henri Amel, a single-minded man known to his employees simply as ‘Le Capitaine’. Amel was an innovator. He distinguished himself as part of La Résistance in the Second World War, during which time he lost the sight in one eye courtesy of a piece of shrapnel. Later, the sight in his good eye started to fade so that by the time he came to set up the company in the 1950s, he was almost completely blind.

This meant that his designs (and he designed all the Amel range in partnership with Jacques Carteau up until his death in 2005) had a strong emphasis on safety and security, with features such as solid stainless-steel guardrails, enclosed centre cockpits and offset steering wheels with a comfortable helming seat. Amel wanted to create a truly comfortable cruising yacht, one that stuck to his own uncompromising ideas of what that meant. I suppose that is what made them so French – Amel’s attitude was very much, ‘here is the boat, if you don’t like it, screw you!’ In the early days, the yard built sloops, but Amel came to favour the ketch rig, arguing that this was more manageable for a couple cruising. Perhaps the zenith of this philosophy was the iconic Super Maramu. It’s a bit glib to compare yachts to cars, but there is definite parallel with the Citroen CX. Anyway, along the way, Amel yachts picked up the most devoted, almost cultish acolytes.

After Henri Amel’s death, you might have expected the company to lose its way – and arguably it did for a few years – almost constrained and intimidated by the legacy of its founder. In recent years, though, it has sought to cut loose. The first sign of this was the Amel 50, which – shock horror – was a sloop. Now there is the 60, which follows much the same template. Designed by Berret/Racoupeau, she, too, has no mizzen, and the company has signalled its willingness to embrace change by giving her masses of beam aft, a carbon mast as standard and twin rudders – and, for obvious reasons, no skeg. Some of these things are anathema to old-school Amel owners but, in all honesty, they are in keeping with the philosophy of the company. After all, the ketch rig was introduced at a time when electric winches were not available – so, as Amel’s yachts got bigger, it made sense to split the rig for ease of handling. Nowadays, that is not an issue and a simple cutter rig makes sense for a couple, even on a 60 footer.

Blue water priorities

As soon as you step aboard, you know that this is a yacht that has been designed with blue water cruising in mind. Amel’s trademark centre cockpit is still there and, combined with the solid hard top to the sprayhood and solid toughened-glass windscreen, this is an area that feels incredibly secure – there is definitely a feel of a motorsailer here in the way you are cosseted and protected from the elements, and the solid rails reinforce this feel. There are a number of windows and hatches that open to improve the circulation of air, but there is still a far greater level of protection than on your standard cruising yacht. The only boat I can make a fair comparison with is the Sirius 40DS, which offers a similar mix of high cruising comfort married to decent performance. That, however, is a smaller boat altogether. Seating in the cockpit is very comfortable and there is a lot of nicely finished wood veneer, which gives it a warm, homely quality. At the same time, you can control almost everything from the helmsman’s seat, which is offset to port. This features a dashboard with an initially quite intimidating selection of buttons – these control everything, from the anchor to the electric outhaul and inhaul for the mainsail, staysail, genoa, Code 0 and even the mainsheet traveller. Only two lines come into the cockpit via the coachroof – the mainsheet and the sheet for the self-tacking jib. Beyond that, there are two pairs of winches set on either side of the cockpit coamings aft that can be used for the headsail, genoa and Code 0.

Under the cockpit sole is another feature that fairly shouts Amel. You can basically lift it up for direct access to the engine (a very powerful Volvo 180hp) and genset. Aft is the fuel tank, again easily accessed for cleaning etc, while there is also a solitary seacock for the cooling water intake. The engine access via the cockpit sole is not unique, but it’s something of a trademark, as is the fact that it is the only access point – you can’t lift up the steps in the saloon. The idea here is to keep the engine totally insulated and isolated from the living area. Step aft out of the cockpit and there is a traveller for the mainsheet followed by a decently dimensioned aft deck with a huge lazarette underneath. Amel eschewed the dinghy garage in favour of some distinctive black fibreglass davits. It’s worth mentioning that the hindquarters of the Amel are simply immense so this is a correspondingly huge space. Consequently, the bathing platform is broad though relatively narrow with a very expensive looking integrated stainless steel drop down ladder. The life raft is in its own cage to starboard, where it can easily be deployed, and there is even a stainless-steel emergency ladder integrated in the transom below the bathing platform. The impression is of a yacht where little has been overlooked.

The side decks are wide and there are a lot of excellent handholds. Up forward, there is a short sprit jutting out from the plumb bow that caters for both the Code 0 and a pair of anchor rollers. There are two anchor winches, a deep anchor locker and also a huge forward lazarette, which can be converted into crew quarters if an owner requests this option. A few more things to note before heading below: the look of the boat is certainly distinctive with that solid bimini; she also looks strikingly modern with her plumb bow and reverse sheer; she won’t be to everyone’s taste; and she isn’t as elegant as the old Super Maramu. Despite this, she fits the slightly cultish, individual template you’d expect from an Amel, and this is a yacht that somehow, indefinably but undoubtedly embodies the spirit of what an Amel should be. The other feature is the rig – a great towering deck-stepped stick of carbon fibre. This comes as standard, which is a bold and expensive step, and saves around 350kg up top compared with an alloy mast. That’s a big saving and considerably reduces pitching while improving overall performance.

The interior was also designed by Racoupeau – this time Mme Racoupeau, to be fair. She was responsible for the Wauquiez 42 saloon, which, for me, was one of the best out there. The 60 is equally excellent. It’s stylish without being showy or vomit-inducingly flash. The layout is very simple, with the main living area nice and open, and inclusive. The saloon features a large dining/seating area to port, with a chart table/office/technical area with control panel etc just aft of this. Behind is a simply massive TV screen, which somehow manages to blend in. You can comfortably seat eight around this saloon table, which drops down electronically to provide a double berth if required. To starboard is some additional seating, underneath which – rather randomly, if also rather usefully –is a large fridge. Aft of this is the linear galley, which features an electric induction hob (no gas), plus all the other bells and whistles (dishwasher, washing machine). The galley is a good place for cooking at sea, providing a feeling of security while ensuring everything is to hand. You also don’t feel cut off from the saloon, which is a plus. Aft of the galley is the main stateroom which, as on all big centre-cockpit boats, is huge. In fact, on the Amel 60, it’s palatial. There’s an awful lot of natural light in here, too. The en suite bathroom puts many hotel rooms to shame and there is masses of storage space.

The other two cabins are forward and are absolutely symmetrical, making you feel a bit weird if you stare at them both directly. They feature more modest doubles with the en suites forward. Amel doesn’t really do customisation, but it has been forced to compromise a little. As a result, there is an option for a wider berth to port and a slightly narrower bunk room to starboard. In addition, if you take the crew cabin option, then you lose the en suite to starboard and this becomes a smaller cabin. All in all, the space down below is essentially a really nice place to be.

As previously mentioned, it was a wild sort of a day out in the Rade de Toulon and, outside the breakwaters, the Mediterranean was also dishing up an ugly short chop, guaranteed to throw a yacht off its stride. We set out undaunted. The manoeuvring was made especially simple by the bow and stern thrusters. These are of a design especially developed by Henri Amel – telescopic in design, they drop down deeper than standard thrusters and are therefore more effective. The bow provides 13hp, which is fairly intimidating and you can pretty much spin all 60ft (18.3m) of the boat on the spot. The cruising speed of the yacht under power is 8kt and down below it was very peaceful even when we opened the motor right up and were going at 9.5kt. Sails up and with life made very simple by lots of push-button technology, we were soon pounding through the short chop with a reefed main and self-tacking jib, while the wind bounced between 20 and 30kt.

This is a 30-tonne yacht and there was something monolithic and magnificent about throwing it about in these brutal conditions. It was sort of like watching Mike Tyson taking a bit of a pummelling. With every savage gust, the Amel remained unruffled, dusted herself off and continued on her way, making 6-7.5kt hard on the wind. The twin rudders provided tremendous grip. The helm, to be fair, was a touch heavy and lifeless – although not anything like in the league of a yacht with hydraulic steering, I hasten to add. I also found that the Amel’s greatest asset – the incredibly sheltered cockpit – was also its greatest drawback, as you felt slightly divorced from the action and it was harder to get a true ‘feel’ for the wind – I steered by the wind angle indicator. Nevertheless, I felt incredibly safe and, again, this was confusing as it was gusting 30kt. Still, on an ocean passage, this is an admirable set-up. Sail-handling was effortless once you got to grips with what all of the innumerable buttons did. Everything was electric and there was even a hydraulic override for the mainsail outhaul, which provided extra power when required. Cracking the sails out and heading off the wind, things got even better. We hit 11.4kt with the big genoa unrolled and still felt in total control, despite the extremely boisterous gusts.

The Amel 60 is a very individual boat and, in that respect, it sticks to the blueprint that Henri Amel started out with. The design team has also worked hard to produce a modern yacht that retains the clever, individualistic thinking of earlier designs. The quality throughout is also absolutely superb and the attention to detail, excellent – although this comes at a price.

In terms of her sailing qualities, she inspired total confidence and also entertained in wild conditions. Ultimately, this is an individual boat and, like a rather British product – Marmite – will engender strong emotions both for and against. If you’re a serious blue water cruiser though, this is a great boat to consider.

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Amel 60 - the ultimate world cruiser

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This French cruiser sets a unique course for offshore sailing

Here is a beautiful new 60-footer from Amel that comes just two years after it introduced the Amel 50. It’s a handsome design in the contemporary Euro style from the office of Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design.

The first thing I notice when I look at the hull is the reverse sheer. There is spring to this sheer, but it springs in a convex curve rather than the more typical concave spring. Reverse sheers have been around since the early 1950s. On a cruising boat like this the reverse sheer buys you interior volume and a lower deck structure for a given headroom target. 

The LOD is 59 feet and L/B is 3.36. When I use the company’s displacement figure, I get a D/L of 137, which is low. This makes me think that perhaps that displacement is a bit optimistic. But we’ll use it. I can’t tell if there are twin rudders or a single rudder, but given the size I see on the profile I assume there are twin rudders. 

Draft is 7 feet 9 inches with a moderate-aspect-ratio fin with a bulbed tip. The bow and stern are quite full, creating interior volume. There is a hint of taper to the plan view of the beam as it goes aft but it’s still very beamy aft as we have come to expect. There is a tiny bit of rake to the bow. Again, in a cruising boat interior volume takes precedent over boat speed. But given the numbers I’d think the Amel will sail quite well.

The Amel 60 is laid out for three couples and each sleeping area has its own head and shower. Big, rectangular deadlights in the topsides will let in a lot of light and their geometry helps bring down the look of the high freeboard. The owner’s cabin aft is interesting in that it shows a small U-shaped dinette off to port. Maybe you feel like a quick game of Monopoly before you hit the sack. The aft head is spacious with a large shower stall. 

There is a generous engine room that extends out to port but I can’t see how you access this space. Maybe there is a deck hatch over the engine room. The galley on starboard runs along the engine room and extends into the main cabin. Inboard there is a long and narrow counter. I think that is a big freezer aft in the galley. Unfortunately the drawings I get these days are often not the designer’s drawings but the marketing department’s drawings and very often the details are hard to discern. 

In the main cabin there is an L-shape dinette to port with some kind of countertop aft of that. I think part of that counter top may be the nav station. That would make sense. I don’t see one anywhere else. There is a centerline bench seat to allow six people to dine in comfort. To starboard there is a comfortable-looking, deep settee. I like deep settees. The mast is deck stepped so only a relatively small diameter post invades the main cabin. Forward of this there are mirror image sleeping cabins with hanging lockers, small seats and access to the forward heads. The fo’cs’le is bigger than you would typically see. No question, you are going to be very comfortable below on this new Amel. The joinerwork is done in American walnut.

The deck plan is a bit unusual in that the cockpit is forward and covered by an attractive hard dodger. There is a single wheel in the cockpit. Aft of the cockpit is a raised cabintrunk to gain the head room needed in the aft cabin. 

I’d call this rig a cutter given the position of the mast. The SA/D is 21 using the specs for mainsail and genoa. I’d prefer to have I, J, P and E figures, but you work with what you have. The sailplan shows in-mast furling and a roachless mainsail. That’s about all I can tell you about the rig given the paucity of detail Amel provided. But Amel has been building offshore cruising boats for many years. They have a cult like following among cruisers, so I’m certain the rig details are just what they should be.

I’d enjoy using this boat. Being a Pacific Northwest kind of guy, I’m not keen on sitting in the sun and I appreciate protection from the rain. Amel has taken its own path with the configuration of this boat and I like that. We seem to be getting “samed” to death these days. I predict Amel will have success with this luxurious model.

LOA 62’4”; LOD 59’; LWL 55’3”; Beam 17’7”; Draft 7’9”; Displ. 52,000 lb.; Ballast 14,440 lb.; 

Sail area 1,378 sq. ft.; D/L 137; L/B 3.36; SA/D 21; Water 185 gal.; Fuel 238 gal.; Auxiliary 180-hp

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Amel 60, The Spirit Of Amel In A New Enhanced Version

The new Amel 60, a big sister to the Amel 50, has been officially launched this autumn.

In a dynamic evolution and complementary to their range, Amel launched a larger bluewater model, with a higher specification and built with attention to details. Riding on the success of the  Amel 50 , of which more than 55 have been sold since September 2017, the Amel 60 is an enhanced version of the new Amel design (9 hulls yet sold).

The brand’s fundamental characteristics are well represented in this large yacht, with an additional 10 feet increasing her volume as well as her interior and exterior living spaces, while still ensuring ease of use for a small crew. 

Amel 60 Highlights

• A furling carbon mast (lighter and with lower centre of gravity) 3 double cabins and 3 bathrooms
• A larger mainsaloon, with a central bar unit separating the lounge area from the large dining table, large TV-mirror screen and hi-fi as standard, chart table, numerous storage spaces.
• High-quality on-board living equipment (induction hob, Miele ovens and dishwashers, large storage capacity, combined washing machine and dryer; optional wine cellar and ice maker etc)
• Even more light with 12 opening deck hatches and 3 opening portholes
• Extensive sunbathing areas, on the aft roof and on the foredeck
• A new finish for the AMEL deck
• Optional, is possible to request a crew cabin

Signed Berret- Racoupeau , the generous volumes of this large yacht have been designed to allow owners and their guests to fully enjoy life on board, while preserving everyone’s privacy: a large living space in the saloon, an ultra-equipped high-end galley three cabins each with a bathroom, an even larger protected cockpit, opening onto sunbathing areas ideal for relaxation.

In addition to its layout and refined design, the Amel 60 has a wealth of technology, such as its rigging, consisting of a new carbon mast, which increases its performance and comfort at sea.

Amel 60 Technical Data

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The amel spirit in an enhanced version.

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EXTREME COMFORT, MAXIMUM PLEASURE

The generous volumes of this large sailboat have been designed to allow owners and their guests to enjoy life on board, while preserving the privacy: a large living space in the square, a high-end kitchen ultra-equipped, three cabins each with a bathroom, a protected cockpit, spacious and open on sunbathing inviting to relax…

+ more volume & sensations

+ more space & pleasure

In addition to its layout and refined design, AMEL 60 is rich in technical assets, such as its rig, consisting of a new carbon mast, which increases its performance and comfort at sea. Naturally, the strong values ​​of the shipyard, such as safety and ease of maneuver are needed with this new model.

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Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC)

Under the above French law, since the 1st of January 2022, each producer (company that places a product in the market) has his unique producer identifier number (Article L.541-10-13). This unique identifier number, assigned by the ADEME (French agency for the environment and energy management), proves that the placer on the market is a member of the APER (French association for eco-friendly pleasure boating) and that it fulfills its regulatory obligations. The AMEL SHIPYARDS’ U-ID number is: FR028009_18AOCF.

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Amel 60, French luxury cruiser

Big brother of the 50, the Amel 60 offers all the comfort and sailing pleasure of a Yacht while offering the assurance of a yacht built in a shipyard with recognized know-how for over 50 years.

Technical data sheet Request for documentation Rate request

Since always, the Amel shipyard is listening to its customers. Thanks to digital communication tools , the community of AMEL owners ( current and future) actively exchange about their experiences and bring back to the yard information that is taken into account for the design and improvement of models. Thus, the Amel 60 was designed and fitted out to meet the expectations of customers who had been seduced by the 50-foot boat presented in Cannes in 2017, but who were looking for three large and beautiful double cabins, hence the creation of a larger yacht.

The 50 and the 60 have the same sailing programme, i.e. open sea and long distance cruising, but also trips of a few days along the coasts. The Amel concept of a quality, safe and easy to handle sailing yacht is the golden rule at the yard, even on this 60-footer. Like all Amels, this one can be operated by one person, who finds all the controls well protected behind the cockpit windscreen. We are talking here about the controls and not the winch handle, as all manoeuvres are motorised. With electric assistance, the mainsail is unfurled, tucked in or furled, the jib and staysail are furled and unfurled, and the bow and stern thrusters are manoeuvred in the harbour. Larger and with more sail , fitted with a carbon mast as standard , the Amel 60 is a powerful yacht which, although richly equipped for cruising, performs well under sail .

The standard version of the Amel 60 is already well equipped. On this model, few concessions are made to comfort and performance. The yacht has a carbon mast. It is equipped with lithium batteries as standard with a generator to ensure the operation of the on-board comfort equipment, directly or indirectly (air conditioning, dishwasher, washing machine, freezer, wine cellar, television...).

On the navigation side, this hull designed by the architect Olivier Racoupeau has a modern shape, extrapolated from that of the 50. By being wider in its aft sections, the hull offers more volume and better stability of shape. Its width dictates the choice of double rudders for good control of the boat while sailing. The furling mast is made of carbon to reduce the weight of the rigging and lower the centre of gravity. Limiting roll and pitch increases comfort at sea as well as at anchor .

With this 60-foot boat, the shipyard offers a voyage sailboat very rich in equipment and fittings while maintaining the very high level of finish demanded by the customers of this sailboat . A course maintained by the shipyard which avoids the pitfall of customization, to ensure a perfect knowledge of the boat and thus its optimization. Even if customisations are still possible, to leave it up to each owner to make the boat his or her own.

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Review of Amel 60

Basic specs..

The boat can only enter major marinas as the draft is about 2.35 - 2.45 meter (7.71 - 8.01 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Amel 60 is 1.82, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 9.9 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Amel 60 is about 607 kg/cm, alternatively 3403 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 607 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 3403 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

The l/b ratio for Amel 60 is 3.52.

SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio) Indicates how fast the boat is in light wind: - Cruising Boats have ratios 10-15 - Cruiser-Racers have ratios 16-20 - Racers have ratios above 20 - High-Performance Racers have ratios above 24 Sail-area/displacement ratio (SA/D ratio): 19.21

Sorry, we do not have sufficient statistical information available for this boat to provide a significant reliable analysis.

Maintenance

When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 98m 2 (1054 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Amel 60 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

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The AMEL 50 gets a bigger sister: The new AMEL 60

The French yacht builder AMEL is very known for their very luxurious ocean-going sailing yachts. The first model will be debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2019. Like all the other models, there is a half-open helm station in the middle cockpit that makes some space on the aft deck.

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Amel 50 review: An indoor sailing experience to excite even hardened sailors

• May 9, 2019

The Amel 50 is the French yard’s first sloop in over 20 years, Pip Hare takes a 48-hour test to see if the new format works

Amel has a long established following for yachts designed and built to match the needs of liveaboard and bluewater cruisers. It is reputed for its singular way of doing things and is famed for its ketches , designed for ease of sailing by a couple.

So when the La Rochelle yard unveiled this Amel 50, its first sloop since 1997, one with a broad, modern hull shape and twin rudders, it was met with surprise. Had Amel abandoned its heritage in favour for what’s in vogue?

Fortunately not. Step aboard and you quickly understand why this is a brilliant new model, one true to the brand’s DNA but versatile enough to suit everything from coastal sailing to global cruising.

Jib, staysail and main halyards are managed at the mast using a track and car system that locks the halyards in place. Photo: Jean-Sébastien Evrard

When I arrived in La Rochelle for my two-day liveaboard test, I wasn’t greeted with the sparkly weather I’d seen in Amel’s brochure. It was a dark, wet, windy and cold December morning. But, with its fully enclosed doghouse, the Amel 50 was made to take on weather like this. Would ‘indoors’ sailing leave me metaphorically cold, I wondered – surely the beauty of our sport is achieved through connection with the elements?

Setting out in a brisk westerly wind and lumpy seas that broke over the foredeck, the heat from below decks soon flowed up the companionway to fill the enclosed doghouse, bringing with it the aroma of fresh bread and coffee.

Within minutes we were punching our way confidently upwind, oblivious to the weather raging outside. I sat in the doghouse, feeling overdressed in salopettes and sea boots, and with every wave that crashed into the windscreen I felt my need to be out in the elements melting away.

Bold first impressions

The Amel’s lines follow modern trends including a blunt stem, full volume bow, high topsides, modest sheer and a beamy transom. But this latest model from the Berret-Racoupeau design team has rung some substantial changes. Amel’s first sloop in two decades, it is also the yard’s first model with twin rudders and the first built using resin infusion techniques.

Article continues below…

Hanse 548 review: The push-button 50-footer that can be sailed by a couple

Imagine putting a cruising couple from the late 1990s into a time capsule and fast-forwarding them to the present. Then…

The cult of Amel yachts – secrets of the evergreen appeal of the archetypal French bluewater cruiser

These French bluewater cruisers are like no others on the market. Here's why

For close to 30 years Amel has favoured ketch rigs in the belief that splitting the sail area across two masts should make large cruising yachts more manageable for couples to sail. Ironically this way of thinking may have put off some sailors who actually consider two masts to be double the work, not half.

With the new 50 being the smallest in the range, the sail area was considered small enough to be comfortably handled as a sloop. Losing the mizzenmast unlocks additional benefits of reduced build costs, a larger cockpit and more below-deck versatility, making the Amel 50 an attractive package.

Absorbed or alienated?

Taking the helm for the first time I was acutely aware of my position on the boat – at the front of a central cockpit and offset to port. Looking forward, with only half the boat ahead and a small wheel in my hands I had the impression of sailing something much smaller.

The helmsman’s chair swivels and adjusts in height and there are reasonable views of the sails. Photo: Jean-Sébastien Evrard

The pillarless windscreen offers a panoramic view and the cockpit is high enough to give vision to windward, even on a starboard tack. The mainsail can be seen through hatches in the doghouse roof, while the view of the jib luff is great on a starboard tack – straight up the slot – but more difficult on port as the forestay sags to leeward. There’s a helmsman’s chair behind the steering position but I found standing more comfortable as, when seated, my arms were at full stretch.

The steering system uses push-pull cables onto the port rudder quadrant resulting in a helm that is sensitive to movement, but has little feeling. The rudders are a good size and the linkage direct, so small wheel movements have immediate impact, but as the cables do not load up no feedback can be felt through the wheel.

Once I’d acknowledged this I tuned into other performance indicators, using angle of heel particularly to guide me upwind. Immediately the helming experience came alive, I was watching for gusts, reading the waves, taking note of everything around me. Before I knew it, I was fully absorbed and unquestionably engaged with the sailing experience.

Joystick sail handling

The mainsail unfurls from the mast at an impressive speed using joystick controls in front of the wheel. The outhaul runs at the same pace on a continuous line system, which moves the clew in and out via a boom track. To avoid damage, both use a current-sensitive ‘time out’ feature – so if either is placed under heavy load they will momentarily stop, alerting crew to a potential sail jam or rope snag.

The jib sheets neatly through a wide shroud base, via coachroof tracks outside the doghouse and on to electric primary winches. Manual secondary winches allow jib cars to be trimmed while sailing. Powered-up under full main and genoa in 18 knots of wind we ploughed through waves at a decent 8.1 knots with a true wind angle of 50°, which is perfectly acceptable for offshore passagemaking.

The Amel 50 is a Berret Racoupeau design. Photo: Jean-Sébastien Evrard

Our test boat had the optional cutter rig adding a 24m 2 self-tacking staysail to the 126m 2 sail plan. Setting the staysail while beating in 20 knots gained a further 0.3 knots of boat speed, with no adverse effects to balance. Personally, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t tick the staysail box; it adds a manageable sail area to the forward triangle, while providing a dedicated heavy weather sail.

Finally calling an end to our upwind slog, we put the bow down looking for a lunchtime anchorage in the lee of Isle de Rey. Off the breeze we waddled a little with jib alone. A furling gennaker soon saw us scooting across the waves reaching 9 knots of boat speed in 20 knots of wind. Helming required concentration, but once again it absorbed me and I unashamedly grinned at this ‘dry’ sailing experience.

In the blink of an eye, the sails were away and the anchor deployed using the remote windlass controls behind the wheel. With the cockpit table extended to full size and set with warm food on china plates the full transformation was complete and our rugged sailing experience of the morning was definitely a thing of the past.

The Amel philosophy

Over lunch I learned more of Amel’s ‘maximum enjoyment, minimum work’ philosophy, which not only covers sail plans but every aspect of design and construction. These boats are built to stand the ravages of time and the sea while incorporating details to reduce maintenance, make repairs uncomplicated and ensure life on board is simple and safe.

It seems that Amel has thought of everything, whether it is the specially extruded four-compartment mast section that keeps halyards, electrics and furler separate, the spyglass in the bottom of the hull giving direct sight of the propeller, or chafe protection at every point a locker lid might scratch the stainless-steel handrail.

The saloon table folds out to seat eight – the small tables double as stools. Photo: Julien Girardot

With every new detail I became more impressed by the Amel 50. It’s as though the everyday inadequacies and compromises I’ve grown to accept as part of yacht ownership have been wiped away in this boat.

After lunch, with the sun breaking through, I put my hosts to work; first poling out the headsail with the huge, vertically mounted jib pole, then trying the Code 0.

The white sails downwind set-up is good. There is a welded tang mid-boom that allows a preventer to be attached from inside the footprint of the deck, and the substantial jib pole, though a bit of a handful to lower in a rolling sea, is utterly fit for the job once in place.

Downwind performance was comfortable and efficient, making close to 9 knots dead downwind in 22 knots true. As the breeze died we maintained our VMG by setting a Code 0 with the jib pole. Sailing like this in the sun felt heavenly and the whole crew naturally gravitated to the aft deck, leaving the autopilot to drive while we took in the stunning islands of the Charente.

As the light faded on our first day we found a mooring buoy on the shores of Isle d’Aix and I took the controls on approach. This didn’t prove easy in the gusty breeze as there’s a lot of windage on the hull and superstructure, which makes manoeuvring the Amel 50 at low speeds tricky.

The twin rudders provide little prop wash effect to counteract any last-minute gusts so on my second attempt I resorted to the bow thruster, leaving the wheel in the centre and driving using throttle for speed and thruster for direction – this proved equally efficient when reversing into the berth at the end of the test.

From the bathing platform to the bowsprit the attention to detail on this Amel 50 is phenomenal. Photo: Jean-Sébastien Evrard

The cockpit sole lifts to reveal an impressively spacious and entirely watertight engine room, accessed via a small ladder. In line with the ‘trouble free maintenance’ approach, everything in this space is well set out with good access and room to work.

As well as the 110hp Volvo engine, the test boat housed a generator, watermaker, air conditioning unit and two inverters. Through-hull fittings have been kept to a minimum using a single inlet and seawater manifold.

All tankage is housed under the cockpit sole, including a grey water tank set in the bilge sump, which collects waste from all sinks and showers, serviced by a float switch for automatic emptying. This system ensures a dry, clean bilge elsewhere, creating extra room for storage.

Luxury for serious sailors

Below decks the Amel 50 is every bit as luxurious as you’d expect for its €790,000 price tag. The test boat finish was light oak with stainless steel details, which give a contemporary vibe, though may require endless wiping to remove finger marks.

There is a great feeling of space throughout, especially in the saloon, which, despite the raised cabin sole, has nearly two metres of standing headroom. Natural light floods from mid-height windows in the topsides and high-level coachroof hatches.

The use of a passageway galley helps to open up the spacious living area. Photo: Jean-Sébastien Evrard

A snug chart table surrounded by switchboards and repeat navigation instruments is set into the aft corner on the port side, while to starboard there is a step down to the corridor galley.

Two large sofas flank the saloon, one wrapped around the dining table to port. A couple of occasional tables can double-up as stools and provide all-round seating when the dining table is extended. These are anchored away under the folded table while sailing.

The Amel 50’s master cabin is situated aft, accessed through the galley passageway. It has a large double island bed, writing desk, sofa and en-suite facilities. Another big double in the bow shares a heads and shower with the bunk-bedded cabin to starboard. This twin cabin is disproportionately small compared to the space everywhere else, but the top bunk folds away to create a little more room if required.

Living on board the Amel 50 would be no hardship. I spent the evening in perfect comfort, eventually retiring to a fantastic night’s sleep in the forward cabin, leaving the blinds open so I could watch the twinkling lights ashore, through the large hull portlight from my bunk.

The aft island berth lifts up with stowage beneath and can be fitted with lee boards. Photo: Jean-Sébastien Evrard

Aside from the five-star hotel experience, the thing that really grabbed me below decks was how well this luxury combines with a set-up for serious sailing. All bunks come with well-fitting leeboards or cloths making even the island beds into usable sea berths.

The accommodation is separated from bow locker and lazarette by watertight bulkheads and internal bulkheads can be made watertight using clamps across the doorframes with their special seals.

The galley is large and well equipped with a proper sink, pull-out fridge and freezer drawers and plenty of worksurface. The passageway is wide enough for two people to pass, yet slim enough to brace while at sea.

The head-height storage lockers open to reveal a drawer front that slides out on tracks, keeping the contents retained when the locker is ‘uphill’ while still allowing access to the contents at the back.

The galley is overflowing with sensible and user- friendly storage. Photo: Julien Girardot

The only area that doesn’t seem commensurate with a life offshore is the passage forward from companionway steps across the saloon. This open space has few grab handles and would be a challenge to cross while pressed up on port.

The Amel team has addressed this in more recent builds by lengthening the stainless steel grabrail on the folded dining table-top, while repositioning and adding other holds at the bottom of the companionway steps.

The full sailing experience

The sun rose on the second day of our test to reveal, flat water, light winds and a cloudless sky. The change in weather gave great opportunity to try all aspects of the Amel 50 sailing experience and we spent a fun morning, hoisting and dropping every sail in the inventory.

In a wind range from 8 to 12 knots true, with a Code 0, gennaker and downwind asymmetric, no matter which way I pointed the bow, the boat performed. Speeds were less spectacular under white sails alone, so for those who like to sail until the last I’d recommend some additional offwind sail area.

The twin bunk cabin forward is a little cramped. Photo: Jean-Sébastien Evrard

Moving about the deck hoisting and dropping sails, I become more aware of the solid handrail and the security it offers. Not only is this feature higher than normal guardrails but it will take the weight of a person should they fall. The Amel teak – the company’s trademark gelcoat deck made to look like planked teak – offered good grip under foot.

The morning disappeared in sunshine and sails. Now it was warm I opened the central windscreen to get the feel of wind on my face while helming, though in these conditions it was a shame to stay ‘indoors’ and the best place on the boat became whichever pushpit seat had the sun.

With the rise in temperature the breeze died away and just when I thought we’d seen the limit of this boat’s sailing ability, it surprised me again. I have come to accept that poor lightwind performance is the trade-off to make for comfort in boats of this genre but, as the breeze died, the Amel 50 just kept going. With the jib set in just 5 knots of true wind speed we maintained a boat speed of 4.5 knots at a 60° true angle.

We were blessed with perfectly flat water and a stable wind direction, but this final flourish of performance confirmed my growing feelings of admiration for the boat and reminded me never to judge a book by its cover.

Our verdict

I can’t sit on the fence about the Amel 50; it is a brilliant boat. It’s neither revolutionary nor showy, and the unequivocal adherence to making everything maintenance light and easy-to-handle results in a boat that is not at all svelte.

I arrived with some heavy preconceptions perhaps as much about the kind of sailor I am as the kind of boat I would be sailing. I was treated to the full Amel 50 experience and my hosts did everything possible to show this boat in the best light.

But if you take away the fine food, endless espressos and crisp white bed linen, the Amel 50 still shines. It sails well, it is beautifully built and it made me smile. I left surprised and ever so slightly in love.

Specification

LOA: 16.50m (54ft 2in) LWL: 14.50m (47ft 7in) Beam: 4.79m (15ft 9in) Draught: 2.15m (7ft 1in) Displacement (light): 18,750kg (41,336lb) Ballast: 5,360kg (11,817lb) Sail Area (100% foretriangle): 126m 2 (1,360ft 2 ) Sail Area/displacement ratio: 19.9 Displacement/LWL ratio: 171 Berths: 6 Engine: 110hp shaftdrive Water capacity: 600lt (132gal) Fuel capacity: 675lt (148gal) Price from: €790,000 (ex VAT) Price as tested: €940,000 (ex VAT) Design: Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design