build quality of the
hull and
core systems are really pretty equal across boats at this level.
level of "cabinetry" finish is higher on Contest and Oyster than Amel.
as someone who grew up on traditional wooden boats, and who has a love for that aesthetic.. but who has also had to remove a 30 year old failing
teak deck, when i looked for my
new boat (awaiting a dec.
delivery of a new Amel 50), one of the
core things that took me away from Contest, Oyster, Discovery, HR,
Najad etc. was the
teak deck.
a) i don't want to continue cutting down old growth rainforests
b) the cost to
repair later is INSANE...
c) these are actually uncomfortable (read: waay too hot) in the tropics
the other big decision was the integral and well thought out hard top for the
cockpit on the Amel which is kind of genius and also enables them to offer 575w of
solar on that from the factory.
all things being equal, had those two things been available on the Contest i may have gone that direction.