Amel 50 - my experiences

[MarcinG]

This is a great opportunity for me, and a dream come true - so I would like to share my experience with you.
Last year, I finally made the decision to buy a new boat and my and my wife's choice finally is: Amel 50. There is no perfect boat that meets 100% of the owner's requirements - and anyone who bought or used a boat knows that. Nevertheless, it seems to me that Amel 50 met most of my expectations and in this thread, I will share with you, information from the process of choosing, buying, negotiating, building, receiving and sailing a new boat. I hope that my relations will be useful for you - regardless of whether and what boat you are buying or planning to buy - or want to charter.
There are already reports on this model in the forum - so you can easily compare experiences from different periods and from different people. I think it always enriches knowledge and can be useful.

So, where did the idea come from and why Amel? I sailed and chartered boats of various brands. I always missed something, and I always felt unsatisfied after one- or two-week charters. Personally, I don't think it makes sense to have your own boat if you sail 8-10 weeks a year, but if you've been doing it for 20 weeks or more - it's time to think about your own boat (IMO). In this way we bought the first small 36-feet boat. After 4 years, the appetite for sailing increased and also, we can spend more time - so the decision was made to upgrade our sailing-home.
The traditional question was asked - what sailboat to buy? what brand, new or used, what size and thousands of similar questions. So. Let’s try to answer one by one.
It is a great joy for me to participate in creating, building from scratch, designing my own solutions etc. - so the choice was to buy a new boat from the shipyard. Size (after many experiences with charter boats) was also not a difficult issue for us - we were looking for something in the range of 48-55 feet. I also saw that it must be a boat easy to handle for 1-2 people and capable for long journeys and not just weekend trips. Therefore, we narrowed down, but only slightly, the scope of search. The manufacturer of the boat remained to choose.
In practice (this is my private assessment and I am not a professional) we have two groups to choose from: popular boats from brands such as Benateau, Bavaria, Hanse etc. - mass producers that charter companies willingly use - or another shelf such as HR, Oyster, Swan, Amel, Discovery etc. - small shipyards producing a dozen or so yachts a year, mainly for private owners. Because I was not looking for a boat intended for racing - my attention was focused on producers with solutions for blue water cursing. NaturSwan, GrandSolei, X-yachts stop to interest me in that case. The central cockpit was a big advantage for me - therefore Contessa, Oyster, Amel, HR, Discovery, GunFleet, and Najad aroused the greatest interest. This price range is quite a bit different from Bavaria, Hanse etc. I was a laic and I wanted to understand well - why such suppliers ask prices times three from me !!!!!. I am not a man who likes to consider shopping for a long time and consider every aspect of the purchase - unfortunately I sometimes act quickly or too quickly, but in this particular case I did not want to make decisions in 1 month. The whole selection process took me more than half a year - basically 9 months (i.e. pregnancy :-D). Although actually sailing on other boats earlier you can say that I was still preparing for making future decisions by gathering experience.

In the most important period, I visited a specific group of producers and/or sailed on selected boats (Contessa, Amel, HR, GunFleet, Discovery, Oyster). For those interested, of course, I will help and answer detailed questions - but here, for the needs of this post, I will shorten it and say that I finally chose Amel 50. I will try to show you in the next posts the whole process of configuring, building, selecting and sailing with our new boat. Of course, I will be happy to answer you if there are any questions from you.

[Knotical]

Congratulations. Would love to follow your Amel's construction project, how can I say no to new boat porn .

There was a similar thread by a CF member not too long ago, I don't remember his username, however.

Good luck.

[Eleuthera 2014]

Well done. After you get her afloat, you will have access to a very useful database of fixes and cures for all the nigglies you will encounter.

This is a private website called amelyachtowners.group.io

Welcome to CF and Amel. They are extremely well thought out. FWIW, most owners of Amel 50's added the cutter....

Enjoy the pregnancy and birth of your new baby!!

[boom23]

That was me... Here's my thread: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/....php?p=2778726

MarcinG, congratulations on you upcoming Amel 50!

I'm really enjoying mine and I'm looking forward to my second season in the Med.

[MarcinG]

Originally Posted by boom23

That was me... Here's my thread: Amel 50 - Build Thread - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

MarcinG, congratulations on you upcoming Amel 50!

I'm really enjoying mine and I'm looking forward to my second season in the Med.

Hi boom23 - if I am not wrong - you are the author of the solution for lines of the traveler (directly to the cockpit) ? if yest than we have met during our visit in La Rochelle - thanks for tips I used this one .

[MarcinG]

As I mentioned in a previous post - the selection process took me 9 months. At that time, I visited shipyards and sailed various yachts. We were looking for the optimal choice for us. I found the Amel shipyard present range in the internet by accident. We can definitely say that it is distinguished by its shape and the solution of the superstructure . It was a very interesting and desirable solution for me. I contacted them and wanted to see this yacht live, and that it was just before the Dusseldorf fair in Germany - I was invited to this fair and there I touched this yacht for the first time. (7 months later I was signing the order !!!! :-D :-D :-D - but of course I couldn't know that at the time).
There is, of course, a big difference between the presentations at the fair of large producers like Bavaria, Jeanneau, Hanse, Dufour etc. and small shipyards like Amel, HR or Discovery. The first ones are usually handled during the presentation by dealers - the second group is the presented by employees of the shipyards who know the details, specifics and characteristics of their own products much better. I pay a lot of attention to service - and after all, presentation is the first and very basic step on the way to purchase - so if such a presentation is poor - this does not bode well for the future. Amel came out very well here – people of Amel have been doing it for years and they know how to do it. Boat was presented form the best perspective and in very interesting way. It happens sometimes in dealerships that the customer knows more than the person who presents boat - and this is annoying. Nothing like that happened at Amel and I was very happy and satisfied . After the fair, we went to the next step and I asked for a more specific offer. I was already at the stage of having a short list of 4-5 producers I was considering.
I had sea trials on boats from these producers from the short list. I wanted to compare the most aspects and practical elements and see how the boat behaves on the water. I also had the opportunity to see the conditions in which the shipyard works and how it builds their yachts. It gave me great experience, useful knowledge - but above all it helped me make decisions a lot.
In the case of Amel, I was very worried about the cockpit superstructure. I am very sensitive to excessive heat and I was afraid that in the Mediterranean or Caribbean conditions it would be just too hot for me and the heat would be unbearable inside the cockpit. I asked to organize additional tests, not only in La Rochelle (where the shipyard is located) but also in the Mediterranean. I have to admit that Amel did very well, because such tests were organized for me, and I could spend two days on the boat, sleep at the anchorage etc. It was very important to me. To be honest, I have no idea how people can choose a boat based on a folder or visit only a fair, without ever sailing on it. I heard that there are such customers - but for me it would be unthinkable. Strange.
Nevertheless, my expectations in this respect Amel met for 100% - I could check everything I wanted (of course, it would be best to take a test for two weeks, but it's probably too much :-D :-D ). The superstructure did not cause excessive heating in Mediterranean conditions - so I was calm about this aspect. In addition, I could immediately see various solutions that I would like to change or upgrade. Such two-three-day tests are in my opinion "a must" for all boat buyers (of course, if they plan to sail on them - not only to have in the marina). Practically after such tests two producers remained on my list. HR and Amel. Amel also organized for me a meeting with (he was available at that time) architect and designer of the newest Amels’s models 50 and 60 - Olivier Racoupeau. It's nice to hear and understand the designer's opinion, he also explained a lot about the current approach to designing modern yachts. I'm not a professional but I think I can know when someone knows what they are talking about, so I really appreciated that. I wanted to learn as much as possible about the differences between Amel and HR, so I asked comparative questions (which probably did not please Mr. Racoupeau very much). The architect is not a seller and that was not his task - but he successfully explained and encouraged me to make the final decision. After all these visits, I was basically ready to make my decision.
I will skip commercial issues out of respect for Amel's sales department and trade secrets. In the next post, however, I will try to present how I approached the configuration of my boat at the stage of completing the equipment and devices, and how the shipyard cooperates at this stage.

[MarcinG]

some pictures form my trip for sea trials in La Rochelle and Hyeres in France

[boom23]

Originally Posted by MarcinG

Hi boom23 - if I am not wrong - you are the author of the solution for lines of the traveler (directly to the cockpit) ? if yest than we have met during our visit in La Rochelle - thanks for tips I used this one .

Aha! We have met!

I can't take claim for the Traveller lines solution. Another Amel 50 buyer brought up to me. We're now converting to a larger purchase setup (5-1 instead of 3-1) for easier manual use. But, you're welcome!

You need to join the Facebook Amel50 TechGroup... It's for Amel 50 owners and we learn a lot from each other.

[joelhemington]

You have done an excellent job of sorting through all the many options. It was brilliant that you managed to take the test sails. I guess they make that concession when you're ordering a new boat.

I found it interesting that you narrowed it down to the Amel and HR (my dream boat of the future. I like the HR because it has that engine room you can walk into. Having spent way too much time up under an old Volvo in a thirty footer this feature is very appealing to me since I am obviously older now and doubt I could pull off that maneuver again. I like the Amel hard rails and would add them to the HR (a good place to hang solar with the Mantis rail mounts) but would like one with the hard top which I suggest you consider if you're building a new one. The after market price from HR was $40,000 US for a 46' version. I'd love to have a 50'er but as I'm in Southern Caiifornia, the vast preponderance of slips here are 35 to 50' (anything like davits would push me over the limit) and even then it's a two to three year waiting list to even get one!

By the way, how long does it take Amel to make this boat?

[rlamoureux]

Hi MarcinG, im curious on your key reasons for ruling out the Beneteau? I am a 2014 Sense 55 owner also purchased new. Generally happy with it for find it rather 'fragile' constantly having to fix things. Best, Robert

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by MarcinG

Because I was not looking for a boat intended for racing - my attention was focused on producers with solutions for blue water cursing.

Congratulations on your new boat! I look forward to seeing the project progress.

I think that with your thorough research and careful planning, you may have already solved the problem of blue water cursing!!

[MarcinG]

Originally Posted by rlamoureux

Hi MarcinG, im curious on your key reasons for ruling out the Beneteau? I am a 2014 Sense 55 owner also purchased new. Generally happy with it for find it rather 'fragile' constantly having to fix things. Best, Robert

I have saild Sense 55 in Italy - one year old boat. Very nice expiriance and nice layout inside. However question is if your tried Amel, HR or something like that. Becouse I can write a lot - but expiriance will tell you everything. I will try to present it in my posts as much as possible.

but to answer you in short words: everything (or almost everything) is different on these boats - starting with small things: cleats, winches, windows, handles - but also the mast, sails or the thickness of the hull.

I made a simple comparison for myself - the weight of an empty boat without a keel at the same length: depending on the manufacturer - weight differences reached 25% -30% (Beneteau, Bavaria, Hanse vs. Amel, HR, Discovery) for the same length of boat ( 50 feet)

Another aspect is, for example, the number of days the hull is in production form - in mass production boats it is several days - in custom shipyards it takes several weeks to gain stiffness.

During visits in the shipyards I saw ways combine the hull with the interior. I saw the quality of joining permanent rigging with the hull or fixing cleats in the hull.

Generally, when using a boat 4 months a year in the Mediterranean - for 5 years I don't think to notice the differences - it's true. But if you sail 10 months a year around the world - I think you will feel the differences in the second year.
(although it is obviously technically difficult because who simultaneously sail two boats for comparison at the same time :-D :-D :-D )

I may be wrong - but these are my feelings and I made decisions based on them

[MarcinG]

Originally Posted by joelhemington

By the way, how long does it take Amel to make this boat?

depends of course on the moment of order - as I know , now you can order and receive in second half of 2021 - but I can be mistaken
IMO , in general they need ca. 7 months from start to the finish for 50footer

[MarcinG]

Configuration and choice of options - was very important to me and one of the most interesting elements of the boat purchase and construction process. A brand like Amel already has very rich equipment and options as a standard. Advanced in mast furling system (Amel as one of the last manufacturers , - produces masts on its own), high models of winches, rigging, etc. In addition, a rich list to choose from any additional options. In principle, you can prepare the boat almost "for a war". It doesn't seem reasonable to use it all if you want to use the boat on sunny weekends a few weeks a year - but for long trips around the world it is worth preparing the necessary options: desalinator, air conditioning, heating or several other amenities I will have the opportunity to appreciate and check in different conditions soon.
Here, I also have to be honest: the number of possible personalizations or some popular boat configurations - Amel is not a leader in this matter and is not even among the top10. Even mass manufacturers have more options to choose from. A larger number of configurations of the same model or additional equipment for retrofitting. For example : there is no teak option on board at Amel – really (Amel is the only producer I know that has no such option) there is not. I skip the question of whether you like teak or not, whether it looks cool only on boatshows or also in everyday sailing - you just can't choose teak option because it doesn't exist. There is no stern thruster option for 50feet (you can have it in Bavaria, Hanse or Jeanneau – but no in Amel50) , you can't have a wooden floor in the saloon etc. It would seem that such simple items available in much smaller Bavarias should be on the Amel option list - but they are not there. The basic website configurator for Hanse is 10x more extensive. Well - I think in this respect Amel still has a lot to catch up and the market will verify it sooner or later. However, the number of pros outweighed the configuration cons in my case - so despite the lack of some options – still Amel is my favorite, because I hope for some more important advantages.
I count (and Amel has such a reputation on the market) for exceptional quality and service. I assume that somehow the performance will compensate for the inconvenience of personalizing the boat. The safety and reliability of the yacht are more important to me. I will keep you updated, of course, if I was right and if I chose correctly. But with products like Amel - the shipyard's credibility and the quality of its products are the strengths that were the most important to me and I hope I won't be disappointed. I am already very happy with the design and idea of the yacht - which is implemented by people in Amel. I know that many Amel owners are very happy with the older constructions. They are timeless and long-lived boats - it prevailed in making my decisions.
For mass boats, which are much cheaper - service is in practice provided by dealers. That is why, it is so important in my opinion to choose not only the brand but also the dealer from whom you will buy the product. In the case of Amel, all contact is directly with the shipyard with people who knows their products and people who cares - they brand their product, they provide the service. An example is the handing over of a boat that lasts ....a week - with specialists from Amel.
And also the best manufacturers are known by how they respond to problems - and what caliber these problems occur. I will keep you posted if the legends are true. But in general it is what I expect – and some personalizations I can provide myself in exchange for best service from producer.
Meanwhile, my boat is fully configured and after “big fights" - finally all options selected. There are 9 weeks left to pick up and below you will find photos of the current stage.

[MarcinG]

now uploaded