From the „fresh“ feelgood-boat RM 1380 let´s stick a bit within the „extraordinary boat“-category for the next Cannes Yachting Festival boat I´d like to show you. It´s a big one: Amel 60. For me and many others, the brand Amel is simply synonymous with a French-style world cruising approach. Amel has over decades built up itself a renowned image of making luxurious oceanic cruising yachts. The small shipyard in La Rochelle maintains a fair share in this market since ist inception in 1962 by unforgotten Henri Amel and is since then attracting, let´s say, not the ordinary sailor.
This image is well earned and still apparent. Thinking of the iconic Super Maramu for example, this ketch-rigged 60-footer is for many people still the one Amel they have in mind when hearing the brand´s name. When roaming the pontoons in any French marina there is seldom a harbor without its Super Maramu moored. So, checking out the Amel 60 here at the Croisette for me is a obligatory act, if you will.
A bold step
I still remember very vividly how the sailing community was literally in shock back in 2015/16 when the company released their then brand new Amel 50. They literally severed all connections to their so beloved ketch-rigged predecessors and came up with a really groundbreaking new iconing design. The naval architects and desiners of Berret-Racoupeau had fulfilled not only their design briefing but also launched no less than a revolution for the company.
The new yachts were everything the old Amel wasn´t: A very modern appearance, edgy, almost futuristic and bold. No ketch rigg anymore. By now we see many more yachts sporting this clean, straight and edgy design – but back then, I still remember – it was unseen. Now, almost 10 years later, the design has grown on people. It´s accepted and just not as polarizing anymore than it was back then. The boat is in ist prime: Refined, optimized and full of little things which got changed and adjusted with owner´s feedback.
Amel´s approach to bluewater oceanic cruising
The funny thing about this revolutionary modernistic design by Amel was that in essence they never really cut off their connection to the old Amel. Apart from skipping the ketch-rigging part, these „new“ Amels are still very much on spot with Henri Amel´s original idea for the boats. Which is namely to make a very comfortable, bluewater cruising long distance-optimized yacht sporting lots of luxury whilst maintaning an easy-sailing approach.
What I like most is the practicality-aspect. You can see it even from the pontoon without having entered the boat. This is a big sailing yacht without a dinghy garage. I guess for Amel this is just a waste of time. When seriously sailing around the world, when sailing itself is no more than 5 to 10 per cent of the time, being at anchor and exploring all those nice places is what you do. So, a regular use of the dinghy is needed. Why wasting precious interior volume for a garage and have all the launching/parking hustle when a simple system of two davits can solve it? Simple, yet nicely designed. Unlike on many other boats, Berret-Racoupeau came up with a system that very much and stylishly blends in into the overall grand design of the yacht.
Style is one backbone of the Amel. You can see the little things here and there, all over the place. It´s a very „French“ thing I shall say. Just look at these „Welcoem aboard“-step that leads from the aft deck into the cockpit area. They could have fitted justa step. On the Amel 60, it´s a statement. Which brings us to another signature of Amel. The middle-cockpit. As it is placed well on top of the pivoting point of the hull, here´s the place with the least motion even in harshest conditions.
In this, middle-cockpits are always much smaller in terms of measurements and available space, volume than their Mediterranean-style open aft cockpit-counterparts. But their conceived and factual safety is unmatched, as any sailor would clearly confirm by just looking at the high coamings and the „enclosure“-style arrangement of the seating.
The center of boatlife: Underneath the dodger
Let´s remain a bit here. Most likely the dodger/deckhouse is the biggest of Amel´s prime signatures. On the Amel 60 it had grown to the size of a litteral winter garden. It´s just huge! Full standing height underneath, nice roofing panels with padding, large safety glass front and side windows (no problem when the weather turns nasty) and lots of sun protection for the crew.
When you´ve never been aboard an Amel so far because you maybe didn´t like the design, do it! Jump over your shadow and let the ideas of Henri Amel unfold their impressions on you. Millions of miles sailed in his boats, generations of sailors bringing back precious feedback from their circumnavigations are to be found in the latest generation of these yachts. You may still not find those beautiful, but you´d be acknowledging their practicality and proven use.
One of those things which will never really win my heart is the steering station. Although I can see the idea behind it, I´m just a classic steering guy. For me, the wheel must be located in the back. Anyway, acknowledgeing Amel´s approach, this setup really has proven that it works for so many skippers. It is well protected underneath the dodger, contributes to a great sight to the front of the yacht. The skipper is part of the social life in the cockpit and not outside at the rear end.
Since 99 per cent of the time steering is done by the autopilot anyways, so it doesn´t really matter where the wheel is positioned, right? Speaking of electric and electronic helpers aboard, of course, this +3.5 Million Euro yacht is equipped with all the playful helpers you can imagine. All of the furling gear, all winches and thus outhaul, sheets and other parts of the running rigging are operated by push-button technology from the main panel at the wheel.
Although a bit awkward why they placed the almost anachronistic magnetic companss (in a huge size) in the middle of the console, I had to smile a bit. Steering and operating this big yacht from here is a no-brainer I guess. And since I´ve done a delivery cruise on Beneteau´s flagship 60-footer lately I know very well how comfortable and also safe it is so have a yacht where nobody will have to grind a winch to put in a reed or even step outside the protected cockpit area to work on lines and ropes. The Amel 60 pushes this idea to a nearly 100 per cent „cockpit only“-concept when it comes to sailing the yacht.
Looking to the aft part of the boat from the cockpit you´ll notice the position of the four winches, two of which sport an impressive drum size. In case of electronic or electrical breakdown of course all systems can be worked manually, hence their position well in reach above the backrests of the cockpit cushions on the coamings. Although I envison the Amel predominantly in the deep blue warm areas of the Pacific Ocean, this setup makes her a fould weather-capable boat.
World cruising means anchoring
Many sailors I´ve talked to who really took their time exploring the world under sails (and not rushing from location to location) they told me that real cruising means … not to cruise. Most of the time is spent at anchor in all these little creeks, bays and inlets of the remote dream locations. You can imagine how important an often neglected part of the equipment, the anchor, becomes.
For the Amel, the emphasis on anchoring is apparend when standing on the bow and inspecting the anchoring setup. Two big windlasses with anchor chains, one permanently connected to the anchor, are there to be used by the crew. When the ship´s weal and woe depends on those things, you´d better have some redundancy at hand when sailing the farthest corner of the planet.
I was also impressed by the bow locker, which also functions as a crash box. You may easily fit a fully stocked skipper´s or even 2-bunk-crew cabin inside here. Or you use it as a huge stowage for the light wind sails Code 0, Gennaker and even a Spinnaker. As a true Coconut-route boat, the Amel 60 of course is equipped with a Spi-pole and sail for the true dead downwind running points of sail. Let´s just mention the all-carbon mast equipped with hydraulic trimming systems.
A New York City loft …
The true charm and on-spot dedication to the cruising concept is to be seen when coming down the entryway ladder and looking at the saloon. Where in many (if not most) big units I personally have often the feeling that the interior designers sometimes do not really know how to utilize the huge supply of volume, on the Amel 60 this is not the case at all.
The whole interior room appears to be one single, lofty unit. You could easily take the interior of the Amel 60 and put it into a New York City skyscraper on the Upper Westside and rent it out for a fortune. The boat is light-suffused and so much welcoming, truly, a loft on the water! I´ve seen the Amel shipyard a few years ago and with my own eyes watched their joiners and carpenters putting together the high quality furniture of this yacht.
It´s really eye candy to walk around, touch and feel the richness and heavy quality of the materials. In this, the saloon on one hand appears to be one single unit but it also retains a compartmentalized approach sporting different areas with different use-cases. The most attractive of which is the navigational area for the ship´s captain, which can best be used to explain this idea. It´s just as simple as this:
Being a Captain aboard an Amel …
… must be awesome! Just because of this nav-station. I mean, isn´t anyone who sails a lot not envying this setup? A wonderfully cozy but also massive stool in front of a large worktop that is the chart table. Secondary displays, a big secondary chart plotter and all switches used for running the boat well at reach. Also the position just to the left after coming down is perfect when sailing.
I dislike the chart tables placed out of reach, this can still be seen on so many boats. I know that many designers are increasingly reluctant to fulfil this particular item on the design briefing to do-list, but I find it awkward when putting them in front of the forward bulkhead for example, forcing the crew to walk all the way through the saloon (with rain-dripping oils on) just to do a log entry and such. Well, that is much better when done in the Amel-way.
Again, the boat is bristling with so many details which not just show the high amount of quality and effort put into the yacht but also the dedication and aspiration that is so visible in this boat. As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, an Amel is a polarizing brand and as such their customers are special people in so many ways. I am sure, these people will recognize and salute to such a detail like this carbon main switch panel.
Spending (a long) time aboard the yacht
Electronic equipment is a matter of fact in any yacht, moreso in boats that go around the world. As many more families fullfil their dreams of a sabbatical at sea, you of course need to feed the needs of the young family members: Onboard internet is a no-brainer (also for the grown ups) but also more and more flatscreen TVs are seen on boats.
With a dramaticly increasing supply of streaming-quality internet, even offshore thanks to services like Starlink our little crew members can enjoy their zillionth rewatch of their most favorite Paw Patrol episodes and even cinematic experiences for adults are possible in your on-board movie theater. Look at this massive TV! I like the fact that Amel didn´t fitted one of these ridiculous TV-lifts though.
When it comes to enjoying a family´s meal – at least when it is unbearable up on deck due to weather or temperatures – the Amel 60 offers a significant portion of the saloon´s volume to this purpose. A real O-shaped settee around a large foldable table will house all the crockery, tableware and steaming bowls of tasty food to feed at least eight adults with ease.
And of course there is this secondary settee apparent to starboard side. You may have read the article on the RM 1380 where I mentioned that it is exactly these sofas which make apparent the more or less „dispair“ of interior designers what to do with this space. On smaller ships, you may fit a longitudinal galley, some temper around with nav-stations or such. Well, don´t get me wrong: I love these settees, especially when in this case on starboard tack, as they are a perfect „pilot´s berth“ to take a little nap fully clothed when at the same time maintaining a quick response time and being able to jump on deck in case something happens.
Being the ship´s cook aboard the Amel …
… must be awesome too! As you know I am a dedicated cook, I love preparing meals aboard too. Whereas on series production boats the galleys are often a compromise to fit the needs of the charter industry (where most crews eat out instead of cooking) and the classic boat owners (who needs a different galley but there´s also a wide range from strictly no onboard-cooking to self-sufficiency) the dedicated bluewater cruising yacht makers have put a special emphasis and much care into designing their galleys.
Next to the ship´s skipper, the cook is undeniably the second most important person on board. Looking at the Amel 60 galley, it´s as perfect as you may think a boat kitchen can be. Spacious, thought through and offering all the equipment and amenities you´d expect from your galley. Also, the galley is placed deep down into the boat´s hull, near the picting center of it, making it more comfortable even in hard ship´s motion to cook.
The galley has all you need to keep the ship well fed and up. In this Amel, the kitchen is electric only, skipping the liquefied gas stove. There´s also large washing machine/dryer combination, and a really nice sized dishwasher. Unlike many other boats which offer those rediculously small dishwashers, the one on the Amel 60 has home-size. And there´s the fridge and freezing equipment, all of which is surely subject to the order of ervery individual owener.
The galley comes with a nice custom made Corian worktop and when working here grants a nice view outside through the two large hull windows. If the owners want to reach their aft cabin, which is the next part of the yacht we will inspect closely, they have to pass through the kitchen area. This is a nice way to keep their privacy granted and locked away from the social areas of the yacht and common on aft cabin yachts.
The boat of course is powered by a large 175 horse power Diesel-engine that is fed with a total of 900 litres of fuel. This makes this vessel able to do a 130 hour-motoring leg should wind die down completely at a decent cruising speed. A Diesel-powered generator to drive the large AC-units and all electric fittings is customary. Secondary power will be generated by an inverter, a 530 Watt peak solar panel-installation on the hard dodger and there are no limits to install further equipment in the huge engine room.
The one and only long cruise cabin concept
In this, of course, the Amel 60 is designed to sail, of course. Berret-Racoupeau put a tall sloop rigg onto the completely new designed hull with 165 square meters upwind sails area. For comparison, the Oyster 595 sports 167 square meters and the Oceanis Yacht 60 will have 153 square meters in her standard all-furling version. Best enjoyed when under deck is the sailing in the aft owner´s cabin of course: The palace!
I really love this interior layout concept as it utilized best the huge volumes created in the stern section by modern hulls which carry the maximum width all the way back. You know that I am (and quite possible always will be) an Oyster-fanboy for sure, but the aft cabin concept is also masterfully executed in this Amel 60 indeed.
The large island bed floats freely in the cabin where there is always complete free headroom. The aft wall is fitted with many closets and a shelf, all around in the cabin much more stowage is to be found. I like the small workplace with a desk that can both be used for her make-up-sessions and his boat office Teams-meetings. The cushions of the archchair/stool are both cozy enough to lounge around in the mornin before getting dressed and spend some hours for concentrated work down here when there´s too much trouble up on deck.
I also like the fact that Amel didn´t „freaked out“ in the bathroom. Why waste so much volume and space for a simple toilet, a shower and a sink? Those stuidly exaggerated „luxury“ bathrooms even make the boats more unsafe. The owner´s bathroom in the Amel 60 offers everything you want with a decent size – but there´s always a safe grab near to get a firm grip when having to use it in a storm.
It is also noteworthy that the Amel 60 has a nicely toned amount of natural light in the aft cabin. Four skylight hatches which can be opened as well as a nice aft-facing window stripe (you remember the picture from the „welcome aboard“-step I showed at the beginning of tis article? Well, this is it from the other side. There are also two more opening windows here for fresh air. It´s a very nicely done owner´s suite, I shall say.
Guests on board? Welcome!
Sometimes, when I cannot find a good night´s sleept, I dream of sailing. Sounds familiar to you? Well, in some of those dreams I kind of develop business model in which I try to come up with ideas of how to get my own dreams of sailing around the world financed. Preferrably by sailing. One of the most common models to do so – in reality – is the cabin charter-idea. Just sailing and renting out the cabins to fellow people. I´d say the Amel 60 is a great boat for such an idea. Why? Look at the guest cabins:
The yacht is available only in the 3 cabin 3 bathroom-version. In this, each guest cabin is in the bow, placed well away from the owners. Each cabin has ist own fully equipped bathroom and I´d say that the guests renting such a cabin on my Adventure-Amel 60 would be just as pleased! The beds are well-sized to fit two adults easily. They are placed to the outer walls of the hull. Apart from a serious need for lee-cloth when sailing heeled or in bad weather, the guest cabins are just awesome!
The hull windows are big and allow a nice sight to the surroundings: This is not the case in so many other yachts with such windows. There´s more than enough stowage but also volume: As a guest aboard the Amel 60 you will surely never experience any claustrophobic breakdowns or the depression of having to live in a dark cellar. Astonishing! So, if you seek a yacht that offers really nice guest cabins, consider the Amel 60, please.
In the bow the shipyard fitted the bathrooms for the guests which also feature the complete setup you´d expect to see on a yacht this category. It may be the case that in really rough seas the utilization of the bathrooms can be a bit challenging since they are placed right behind the first bulkhead after the front locker, but I guess an Amel will stay in warmer, less dangerous and „moving“ sailing areas anyway.
Size does matter
In this my walkthrough of this amazing luxury sailing yacht ends. I thank the crew for showing me around and take a last walk up on deck to the bow. Shooting a picture from this perspective shows the real difference and scale of both the Amel 50 and her larger sister, the Amel 60 moored directly next to each other.
Of course, the „smaller“ Amel 50 is a big boat and in herself more than perfectly suitable to tackle the vastness of the oceans and deliver a full luxurious sailing adventure. The Amel 60 is a battlecruiser in direct comparison! So I guess, after having published this article, I will go to bed later again and maybe dream on … about my idea of being a self-employed pro-skipper renting out these luxury cabins on my way around the world. Because frankly, this yacht is absolutely made to do exactly that!
You might also like to check out these related articles:
Where the magic happens: At the Amel shipyard in La Rochelle
The ingenious interior concept of the Cigale
Britain´s luxury cruising icon: Oyster!