Magnifique!

Earlier in the year I organised a test of a highly respected marque, which will remain nameless. The day before the test, the forecast was for 20-25 knots. Given that the test was in the Solent and the yacht was over 40ft (12.2m), that sounded ideal. Not so; the broker said it was too breezy and the test was cancelled. Now, I’m sure the circumstances were fair enough and I’m not having a go. I believe it was an owner’s boat etc etc, but every time I think of that manufacturer now, it seems somehow diminished in my eyes. The same certainly cannot be said of the Amel 60. The forecast for the day of the test was for 25-30kt increasing to 35-40 as the day wore on. Despite this, we headed out down the Rade de Toulon with little more than a Gallic shrug.

That is fitting, too, because Amel has built up a reputation not only for building one of the hardiest blue water cruising yachts out there, but also – surely – for being most French manufacturer of all time. The blue water argument is fairly easy to substantiate. I urge you to head to any obscure sailing outpost in the Pacific or Atlantic and it won’t be long before you find an Amel there;