Amel or Island Packet?

[double u]

2 opinions (2nd hand) concerning Amels:
1. "...this boat saved my life..."
2. "...emergency manual operation of the electric foresailfurler in case of failure takes for ever..."
(& the aesthetics are a draw between amel & IP...)

[Ramblingman]

I'd be torn.

Both are great boats but...

If I were just staying in the Caribbean I'd go IP.
If I was for sure going to go cross multiple oceans I'd go Amel.

[robert sailor]

Sure an interesting pair of choices. Neither wins beauty contests but are both practical cruising choices. Seems that unless your choice is the largest IP then it's really not comparable with a more current Amel. The older smaller Amels might be compared to older smaller IP's I guess if that's the direction of your thinking. The Amel is CC and the only IP CC is their newer and largest model, maybe your mind is here??
OK that needs some clarification I suppose.
As a general comment, if I was going to cross oceans I would choose the Amel, it's very well built and easy to sail and does quite well in the trades. System management has been well thought out and maintenance will be easier. It is very well built and many models feature water tight bulkheads which is a nice peace of mind feature. Life aboard is a pleasure.
Nothing wrong with the IP other than a few less than well thought out design features but they have a good following and are very popular in the Caribbean.
Personally I think if it's for coastal sailing there are a multitude of better choices than either of these boats for much less money.

[rmorrow1970]

My boat choices in this are mid 2000's Amel super maramu 53' or Island Packet in the 45' range...say price range of around $300-400K thank you all for the insights....I have about one year left (get last one through school), then I am leaving the land based life, though am ready to purchase today if the right boat shows up!

[DDabs]

You must be referring to the IP 440. They made an Island Packet 45 in the 90's, which is a different design and can be had for ~$150-200k

[Chicane]

Hi,
I'm a certified surveyor and Amel Maramu owner. I've got to agree with most of the reply's above, please pm me with any specific questions you may have.....

[robert sailor]

There is a larger IP CC which is around 47 feet or so and it's a big boat interior wise. The Amel is mid 50's so not a real direct comparable with the IP. Years ago I always thought the Amels were sort of an old man's boat but the longer you cruise and the more oceans you cross the more the design and built quality makes sense. It's all fine and dandy to love the pretty lines and the yachty looks but in the end a cruiser needs a boat that can take a licking and keep on ticking. Personally I think Dock heads Moody 54 is another real good choice plus it's easier on the eye. You are in the space that is almost as much fun as cruising and that is dreaming and boat shopping, enjoy!

[Kenomac]

Not sure of what your budget happens to be, but for what you're planning, take a serious look at a Lagoon 38-40ft catamaran. Much more practical and comfortable for what you have planned.

[rmorrow1970]

Live aboard, Caribbean for couple years, then world tour is the plan.....

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by rmorrow1970

Live aboard, Caribbean for couple years, then world tour is the plan.....

I know the plan, what's the budget for purchase price? A Catamaran still rocks (or rather doesn't rock) hands down compared to a monohull, if you get my drift?

[rmorrow1970]

Boat itself.... up to $400k

[Eleuthera 2014]

I am a bit surprized at Kenomac's answer as he owns an Oyster.

Our boat choice is known and after a very good friend had his Lagoon start breaking in two off the Egyptian coast (he had to be towed in... and the boat was declared a total loss) I am glad I made my choice. (He now owns a monohull again)

For rmorrow: don't be afraid to look at older Amel SM's. (I know of one which I would have bought had I known it was for sale). Most are upgraded from original often with better and more modern systems. If you saw what we did to our beauty, you'd buy her on the spot. It is a better boat than even the newest SM2K.... (opinion) GL with your search.

[Kenomac]

I've also recommended that the OP look at Oysters given his budget, I'd originally thought his budget was more in the 200k range.

But given the cruising grounds he intends to frequent and the fact he and his wife will live aboard, the catamaran is an excellent choice. He's not going to be crossing the North Atlantic, rounding the capes or exploring the Arctic.

[Eleuthera 2014]

Hello Kenomac,

Understood. However, having been aboard a Catana 50, perhaps the best built production cat around, in a steep sea with 2 meter swells in the Med, I think most folks would not like the slapping against the center section. Shook the entire boat.

What can you say about opening hatches about8 inches above the water line ....

Lets just say my thing is monohull thank you. You have a nice boat BTW!!

[robert sailor]

The Med is not a cat friendly area with the steep waves, talked to a couple of owners when in Gibraltar who had sailed up the Med and they were really looking forward to getting out of there.