Yachting World – 01.04.2018

tested AMAL 50

and high-level coachroof hatches.
A snug chart table surrounded by
switch boards and repeat navigation
instruments is set into the aft corner on
the port side, while to starboard there is a
step down to the corridor galley.
Two large sofas flank the saloon, one
wrapped around the dining table to port.
A couple of occasional tables can double-
up as stools and provide all-round seating
when the dining table is extended. These
are anchored away under the folded table
while sailing.
The master cabin aft is accessed
through the galley passageway. It has a
large double island bed, writing desk, sofa
and en-suite facilities. Another big double
in the bow shares a heads and shower
with the bunk-bedded cabin to starboard.
This twin cabin is disproportionately small
compared to the space everywhere else,
but the top bunk folds away to create a
little more room if required.
Living on board this boat would be no
hardship. I spent the evening in perfect
comfort, eventually retiring to a fantastic
night’s sleep in the forward cabin, leaving
the blinds open so I could watch the
twinkling lights ashore, through the large
hull portlight from my bunk.
Aside from the five-star hotel
experience, the thing that really grabbed
me below decks was how well this luxury
combines with a set-up for serious
sailing. All bunks come with well-fitting
leeboards or cloths making even the
island beds into usable sea berths.
The accommodation is separated from
bow locker and lazarette by watertight
bulkheads and internal bulkheads can be
made watertight using clamps across the
door frames with their special seals.
The galley is large and well-equipped
with a proper sink, pull-out fridge
and freezer drawers and plenty of

worksurface. The passageway is wide

enough for two people to pass yet slim

enough to brace while at sea. The head-

height storage lockers open to reveal a

drawer front that slides out on tracks,

keeping the contents retained when the

locker is ‘uphill’ while still allowing access

to the contents at the back.

The only area which doesn’t seem

commensurate with a life offshore is the

passage forward from companionway

steps across the saloon. This open space

has few grab handles and would be a

challenge to cross while pressed up on

port. The Amel team has addressed this

in more recent builds by lengthening

the stainless steel grabrail on the folded

dining table-top, while repositioning and

adding other holds at the bottom of the

companionway steps.

The full sailing experience

The sun rose on the second day of our

test to reveal, flat water, light winds and

a cloudless sky. The change in weather

gave great opportunity to try all aspects

of the sailing experience and we spent a

fun morning, hoisting and dropping every

sail in the inventory.

In a wind range from 8 to 12 knots true,

with a Code 0, gennaker and downwind

asymmetric, no matter which way I

pointed the bow, the Amel 50 performed.

Speeds were less spectacular under

white sails alone, so for those who like

to sail until the last I’d recommend some

additional offwind sail area.

Moving about the deck hoisting and

dropping sails, I become more aware

of the solid handrail and the security it

offers. Not only is this feature higher

than normal guardrails but it will take the

weight of a person should they fall. The

Amel teak – the company’s trademark

gelcoat deck made to look like planked

teak – offered good grip under foot.

The morning disappeared in sunshine

and sails. Now it was warm I opened the

central windscreen to get the feel of wind

on my face while helming, though in these

conditions it was a shame to stay ‘indoors’

and the best place on the boat became

whichever pushpit seat had the sun.

With the rise in temperature the breeze

died away and just when I thought we’d

seen the limit of this boat’s sailing ability,

it surprised me again. I have come to

accept that poor lightwind performance

is the trade-off to make for comfort in

boats of this genre but, as the breeze

died, the Amel 50 just kept going. With

the jib set in just 5 knots of true wind

speed we maintained a boat speed of 4.5

knots at a 60° true angle.

We were blessed with perfectly flat

water and a stable wind direction, but this

final flourish of performance confirmed

my growing feelings of admiration for the

boat and reminded me never to judge a

book by its cover.

The generous

forward cabin

shares a heads

and shower with

the bunk cabin

Above left: the aft

island berth lifts

up with stowage

beneath and can

be fitted with lee

boards

Above right: the

twin bunk cabin

forward is a little

cramped

on test: AMeL 50

JS Evrard

Julien Girardot