Amel unveils the latest bluewater model Amel 50 and announces its official launch at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2017.
With this 15-metre unit, the La Rochelle shipyard opens the Amel concept to a new category of clients, thanks to more accessible dimensions and price.
While they are not abandoning the emblematic ketch design of the La Rochelle shipyard, Amel has chosen the sloop for this unit. However, this is not a new format as such, as a number of sloops have already left the shipyard in the past.
Amel 50, designed by Olivier Racoupeau
“The development of embedded techniques such as motorized furlers, means that manoeuvring a 50-foot sloop is much easier today and ketch rigging is no longer necessary on a boat of this size“, said the architect Olivier Racoupeau.
Tools that facilitate navigation include electric sail furlers and winches, centralized controls in the cockpit and the self-tacking staysail.
A redesigned hull with powerful bow
Among the innovations on this new model, the choice of a straight, powerful bow is a break from the shipyard’s habits. The waterline is extended to improve performance, making the front part of the boat more spacious.
The addition of a bow sprit makes it possible to tack an additional sail such as an asymmetric spinnaker or a code-0.
The flat, wide stern, with a midship beam that extends to the rear, offers great dimensional stability and required twin rudders, something new for Amel, allowing the boat to maintain great manoeuvrability under sail.
“At Amel we are all enthusiastic, deeply attached to the history of our shipyard and always striving to continue to express our know-how and perpetuate the Amel spirit”, says Emmanuel Poujeade, managing director of the shipyard.
The new Amel 50 can accommodate six people, thanks to the two large cabins each with a double bed and one cabin with bunk beds. The galley, positioned in the starboard passageway, offers a generous living area in the saloon and the chart table is located to the left of the entryway and communicates directly with the entire saloon.
The official launch of the new Amel 50 will be next September at the Cannes Yachting Festival, set to take place from the 12th to 17th September 2017.