If it were a camera, it would be a Leica. If you were to compare it to a car, it would be a Bentley. And if it were a hotel as an analogy, then not one of the big five-star chains, but a smaller, fine establishment such as the "Hôtel de Paris" in St Tropez. This is roughly how you should imagine the Amel 60: established, but individual, luxurious and yet functional.
In her own way, she currently defines and represents the state of the art in yacht building in its highest form when it comes to cruising ability and comfort. So let's ignore for a moment the fact that, with a base price of two and a half million euros, she will remain unaffordable for the vast majority of sailors and may simply appear too powerful and technically complex to many. We will come back to this later.
Also interesting:
The model essentially follows the design of the Amel 50 (Test in YACHT 25/26-2017). The similarities go so far that from a distance they could be mistaken for twin sisters. On closer inspection, however, the 60 appears more polished and elongated despite its imposing dimensions, the cabin superstructure and deckhouse more elegantly integrated, the hull windows flatter and more focussed. It's amazing what an extra 2.50 metres in length can achieve.
This is especially true on deck. In spite of all its similarities, the Amel 60 feels like another world. The tantalisingly open aft deck offers a sea terrace previously unknown in this class, which is almost as long as it is wide and conveys a sublime feeling.
Award-winning cockpit
From here, a centrally positioned step leads to the equally unrivalled large and protected cockpit - probably one of the brand's most important unique selling points. It is quite low and has the best ergonomically shaped benches: you can spend hours on end on the wide dents with the high, pleasantly angled coamings, even when the vehicle is lying down. The large folding table then serves as a footrest. Shade is provided by the fixed roof, the centre section of which can be opened electrically. In colder weather, fabric panels close the aft section to create a cake stand.
The helmstand also has a place in the cockpit. On Amel, it has been located on the port side next to the companionway for decades, allowing the helmsman to remain in close contact with the crew. The helmsman sits on a finely quilted and lockable swivel chair behind a well-equipped dashboard, with all the instruments and control units needed for sailing in front of him. The matt black console in front of the helm is engraved with the functions that can be activated at the touch of a button or lever: for the standard electrified sheet winches, for example, the standard furling sails, the standard bow thruster and the standard autopilot.
Anyone piloting the Amel 60 from here has an almost unobstructed all-round view, as the sails are cut slightly higher in the foot. Forward and to the side, the cockpit is enclosed by five panes of tempered glass, the centre one of which can be raised; together with two folding hatches in the roof, it ensures good ventilation. The whole arrangement works so well and seems so coherent that you can't help wondering why more shipyards don't opt for it. In the competition, the helm stations are always located aft of the cockpit.
The deck layout of the Amel is also pleasing in other respects
Because the jib shrouds of the lower shrouds are attached to the superstructure and the upper shrouds to the outside of the hull, the passage to the foredeck remains unobstructed. The fixed sea railing, another characteristic feature of the brand, provides safety, as does the high bulwark, which effectively prevents the foot from slipping over the edge of the deck.
In front of the standard carbon mast, which comes from Lorima, the leading French supplier, the Amel 60 can have up to three furling sails: in addition to the genoa, it can be equipped with a stay jib for heavier weather, which acts as a self-tacking jib via a rail in the superstructure (surcharge); a Code Zero or optionally a gennaker can be set in front of it on the stainless steel bow fitting.
The two roomy windsails are stored in a large forepeak behind the anchor locker, from which they can be set and retrieved without much effort. If desired, a small compartment for the bosun can also be set up here - the only option Amel offers for the cabin layout. However, this restricts the sail load. And thanks to the simple operating concept and the high level of automation, the owner is hardly ever dependent on outside help. The philosophy of the shipyard's founder Henri Tonet has always been to design yachts that do not require a deck hand. This applies even more to the current models than to classics such as Santorin or Super Maramu.
Once it has been brought on course and up to speed, it can achieve distances of around and over 200 nautical miles
Rather, the 60 could do with a little more sail area. With a sail carrying capacity of 4.3, it is on a par with its competitors, but lacks temperament in winds of less than 10 knots. Because the almost 28 tonnes have to get going first. This is where the Code Zero and gennaker, both on furling systems, are an effective aid.
In decreasing thermals, we achieved quite respectable speeds in the test off Port Ginesta on the Catalan coast. Under furling mainsail and code zero, both from Incidence, the Amel consistently logged around 7 knots in 8 to 10 knots of wind and an open upwind course. In a fresh midday breeze and waves, she could be guided close to her hull speed of 10 knots with a gennaker. Once she was on course and at speed, she was capable of reaching distances of around and over 200 nautical miles - without any effort. Because she moves smoothly and confidently through the sea.
What it lacks most in terms of sailing characteristics is agility and feedback from the rudder - the pre-balance of the two blades positioned far aft is too strong, the transmission too indirect. The Amel does not reach the level of the Oyster 565 and Hallberg-Rassy 57, and the height upwind is only average at around 50 degrees. However, this will not be an exclusion criterion for the target group of pleasure sailors; on long journeys, they delegate course keeping to the Furuno hydraulic autopilot anyway, which worked extremely precisely and reliably on the test boat.
The ballast ratio is surprisingly low; it is only 26 per cent - which seems low for a large ocean-going yacht. Other competitors are between 30 and over 35 per cent. However, the Amel benefits from the carbon fibre rig on the one hand and the high dimensional stability due to the wide aft hull on the other. When tested in winds of up to 25 knots and waves of more than two metres, it sailed stiffly enough. The buoyancy distribution was also impressive. Despite 100 metres of chain in the anchor locker, the bow hardly twisted at all.
Elegant expansion
Below deck, the Amel 60 offers only one layout: two guest berths with en-suite bathrooms forward, a large owner's cabin with en-suite bathroom aft. Alternatives? None! And that certainly has its advantages. The standardised layout and the extremely extensive standard equipment not only avoid compromising options; they also simplify servicing because the boats hardly differ from one another.
In any case, the crew on board does not suffer from any shortages, on the contrary. The comfort is unrivalled and the ambience is also impressive. It is tastefully modern, yet dignified, cosy and still very bright, even with walnut surfaces. A boat with a wow effect. Alternatively, the Amel 60 is also available in light oak.
In any case, it fulfils the highest quality and functional requirements. With six watertight compartments, she is practically unsinkable, which is why some owners plan trips to high latitudes with her. Expensive? It is, without a doubt. But not in relation to its performance. Word is getting around: delivery times are currently more than two years.
The measured values for testing the Amel 60
The Amel 60 in detail
Technical data of the Amel 60
- Design engineer: Berret/Racoupeau
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 18,00 m
- Total length: 19,00 m
- Waterline length: 16,85 m
- Width: 5,35 m
- Depth: 2,35 m
- Mast height above waterline: 26,00 m
- Theoretical torso speed: 9.9 kn
- Weight: 27,9 t
- Ballast/proportion: 7,2 t/26 %
- Mainsail: 78,0 m²
- Furling genoa (110 %): 92,0 m²
- Self-tacking jib (opt.): 36,0 m²
- Engine (Volvo Penta): 128 kW/175 hp
- Fuel tank: 900 l
- Fresh water tank: 790 l
- Holding tanks: 3x 80 litres
Hull and deck construction
Fully laminated using the vacuum infusion process with vinyl ester resin: solid underwater hull, GRP composite with foam core on top. Bulkheads glued and laminated. Lead keel on deep GRP stub
Price and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: 2,499,000 € incl. 19 % VAT.
- Standard equipment included: Engine, sheets, railing, position lanterns, battery, compass, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, sailcloth, anchor/chain, fenders, mooring lines, fire extinguisher, electric cooler, holding tank with suction, antifouling and clear sailing handover including instruction
- Also included in the price: Six watertight compartments, stainless steel bowsprit with anchor holder, fixed railing, electric genoa and mainsheet winches, carbon furling mast, carbon gangway, retractable bow thruster, generator, lithium batteries, inverter, TV, stereo, induction cooker, washing machine and dishwasher
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/2 years
As of 7/2024, how the prices shown are defined can be found here!
Shipyard
Chantiers Amel S. A., 17183 Périgny Cedex, France, Tel. 0033/ 54655 1731, www.amel.fr
Distribution
RBK-Yachting, Munich, Tel. 089/67 34 60-50, e-mail: info@kronenberg-yachting.com
YACHT review of the Amel 60
Since Amel said goodbye to the ketch rig, the French luxury shipyard has gone from success to success. The Amel 60 impresses above all with its simple, safe and comfortable operating concept, which recently won it the European Yacht of the Year award
Design and concept
- + Unique long-distance yacht
- + Modern lines, variable sail plan
- + Extremely high average safety
Sailing performance and trim
- + Passable height and speed
- + Easy and very safe handling
- - Decoupled control feeling
Living and finishing quality
- + High-quality, bright ambience
- + Very high living comfort throughout
- - Only one option for the cabin layout
Equipment and technology
- + Outstanding standard equipment
- + Plenty of easily accessible storage space
- + First-class workmanship
The article first appeared in YACHT 15/2020 and has been updated for the online version.
