What's wrong with Amel? Everything you need to know - Episode 114 - Lady K Sailing

Amel is one of the best cruising sail boats in the world but what's wrong with Amel? Are there Amel problems? Should you buy an Amel? This weeks Everything you Need to Know is all about Amel.
Photo credit:

[JayPerrypersonal]

Our electric furlers are all working just fine at 27 years old. Also an Amel Super Maramu is around you would get a Amel 54 for less than
I have been sailing over 40 years, living full time onboard for 6 years. Lived and sailed on Jenneau etc, they are definitely not luxury compared to even a much older Super Maramu. The SM is far more comfortable to liv and sail on. On our Jenneau we arrived from multi day passages tired, often cold, wet etc. On the SM we arrive refreshed, warm, dry, showered not smelling etc.
OK there is more maintenance but due to more systems. You add water maker, generator, dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioning etc to any boat you increase maintenance. Benefit to Amel is they are high quality and factory fitted. If you don’t use them then fine. We removed dishwasher, make room for beer cooler and ice maker. Our air conditioning didn’t work in aft cabin so removed it.
For a boat that size to sail single handed, as designed for a couple to sail the world, so while one sleeps the other is single handed, you need electric winches and furling etc. However there is manual backup for everything. All I can say if if we ever change boat again, it will be for another Amel never sail ‘ live on anything else now.

[perigeesailboat]

First boat owner, not mechanically minded, nor electrical - bought a boat - spent 6 weeks fitting-out, and then took off for the blue water - been cruising and living aboard since, all waters, all weather. Sure, adopted the Pardeys ethos - creating the unbreakable boat - so we do carry a few spares (but no more than any other remote-area cruiser wanting a degree of self-sufficiency) - and we do need to spend 4-6 weeks a year pausing for repairs and maintenance, but this is no different from any other blue-water cruiser who is out there and doing it.
I find that there are no more breakages on average than other makes, but the access for R&M is far better thought out, so less daunting. Maintenance is more likely to be done, repairs not a challenge (apart from the steep learning curve - but that would be the same for any first-boat owner on any make).
It is not so much systems complexity - the systems (design & implementation) are straightforward - but the number of systems does add up. But there is a price to pay for comfort, and redundancy. One fridge/freezer fails - we have another (not that a single one has failed, yet, touch wood).
Yes, you guessed it, happy AMEL owner (4 years on) ...
Can we afford it? Probably not, but we worked long & hard, you only live once, and all that stuff .

[bespokefit]

I really loved this video. It sort of reinforced my pre-cruising approach. Right now, I'm working on my own house renovations and doing almost all the work on both of my cars mechanically. I'm pushing the boundaries on my own competence and forcing myself to dive head first into projects I've not done. Watching Brian on Delos all these years has made me realize the value in being your own mechanic, refrigeration tech and shipwright. I aspire to walk in similar shoes.

[andrewmcclaren]

Thanks for a very interesting review of the Amels, and the history of Henri Amel.
A couple of comments from a happy Super Maramu owner:-
My understanding of the design aims was for a boat which would allow two people to safely and comfortably sail around the world.
Flowing from this were several design decisions including:-
— a ketch rig so that individual sails were smaller and easier to handle
- furling motors so that most sail trim could be done without leaving the cockpit
- manual backup for motorised sail furling
- duplicated autopilot systems
- 4 watertight bulkheads
- adequate handholds for safety in a seaway rather than an open-plan design.
It’s true that these boats are expensive (mine had three previous owners), but it is well supported by the factory, but not, as you say, a minimalist design.

Thanks again for the interesting review

Andrew (s/v Sueno Azul, SM#39)

[svoceanrhythms]

You're 100% right about Brian and the Amel. The guy can fix, or has fixed everything on that Delos, and added some pretty crazy stuff since this video aired. It's as if the boat speaks to him sometimes. It's pretty cool to see.

[paulvr]

...the ketch doesn't sail better when it's all set up, it just gives smaller pieces of canvass to handle, and two masts. So more Safety. (...and a ketch is more beautiful). I agree with your summary.

[kwakaman]

GREAT POINTS MADE! Simplicity of upkeep is important too...

[franksantos]

Just found your channel. I am retired at 56 and looking to buy a Amel 54. I know very little about sailing and nothing about engineering. So I guess I’ll have a huge repair bill twice a year. But looking forward to my travels starting this Oct/Nov.
Thanks Delos for getting me out of my comfort zone and selling everything I own except some clothes and my credit card.

[mikephillips]

All the electric winches and furlers can be operated manually if they pack up. Thats part of the amel brilliance. Carry a replacement motor for a winch and one for the furler and you're set. Operate manually untill you can replace and then have another replacement sent ahead to a future port, no big deal. I used to tell Larry Pardy, when all the conveniences quit on my boat, "I'll be be just like you Larry" and still cruising, lol. You learn to fix stuff as you go, no big deal. You just need to realize & go with the foreknowledge that if you are going to cruise for 5 years or longer, everything on you boat (with the possible exception of a good diesel engine) will either break or wear out. Go with that knowledge, expect it, prepare for it and enjoy the journey. Otherwise either don't go or be prepared for alot of disappiontment!

[jackyotes]

Brian from Delos is maintenance genius. I sailed for 50 years but I am unable to deal with such a complicated systems. Lots of Love Capt. Jack

[n]

It’s only complicated if you do not understand the systems. They are actually quite simple. As an owner they built to be serviceable anywhere in the the world. I can still get parts after 30 years. They are rugged. Most owners work on their boats. Henri’s philosophy was keep it simple, which they are, if you know what your looking at. The AMEL FORUM provides a robust base for repairs and the factory still provides all owners support. Innovations are a hallmark of AMEL.
I think you should have done research before knocking the brand.

[sailingpaloma]

Comparing Amel to Beneteau is like comparing Mercedes/BMW to Fiat/Chevrolet. There is no comparison at all. You will understand this if you sail long distance on both of these boat brands. They are completely different boats, built for completely different purpose.

[SteelDoesMyWill]

I love Amel's for the build quality, functionality, and all of the features that are shared among models over the years. My 'preference' ends with the the Amel 54. Starting with the 55 and all newer models they have gone with cold, clinical, 'Ikea" type interiors that virtually all other European boat builders are doing as well. 'Bright' interiors seem to be in vogue over the traditional Mahogany, Teak, and similar varnished hardwood interiors that they now call 'dark caves'. I hate the IKEA look, I think the darker hardwoods far better represent the traditional or legacy hardwood interiors of yachting history. Too dark? Add some lighting, its that easy.

[qdav]

Nice vid. Makes me want to binge watch all of the SV Delos episodes. Again.

[crowdog]

Beautiful boats with lots of good stuff on them. Really love the older boats with that flame mahogany interior. If I were contemplating ocean sailing I'd have to seriously consider one. Thanks for all the good info on Amel, one of the best!

[mz]

Excellent review! Cool thing is there are many systems that have a manual backup if electronics fail. Also Amel I believe spend a whole week with you at sea to help get you familiarized with your new boat. From what I have seen Halberg Rassy is even more of a maintenance challenge technically than Amel. Would be great to compare standard jobs side by side. I think in addition to safety, Amel could shine even more if it would also be known for outstanding quality like a Toyota. This would give the brand an extra boost over many others. No doubt still an iconic brand, I just love some of the thinking behind many features. Thank you for sharing, stay safe n healthy!

[jackbeale]

Great episode. Enjoyed your take on what seems so familiar as a long time Delos follower. You pretty much define "constructive" criticism, which always seems very fair and well thought out. Brian is definitely a special case when it comes to maintainence. I think Johan on Ran Sailing is the nearest to him. But putting 90 sea miles under the keel in 10 years is a great testament to Amel. Congrats on your first 20k, now let's work on the next 20.

[joesamson]

The new AMEL 60 is just a beauty and a beast (pun intended) on a category of its own!!! It's THE ULTIMATE sailboat!

[Nuzzler]

Missed discussing the safety features of the Amel which is the 5 waterproof bulkheads which make an Amel practically impossible to sink. It seems the a little trite to not mention the best parts of Amel.

[Arctodusangustidens]

I saw an Amel for the first time in the Chilean Fjords, the owners were a elder couple ready to jimp to New Zeland as the last leg of the around the world trip! Great sailboat! 💪🏼🥰🥰