In February 1968, the ARPIN workshops were completely destroyed by a fire. Refusing to succumb to adversity, Henri AMEL decided to turn this tragic event into a significant rebirth. Using his own resources and garnering support from external teams, he found temporary premises to continue producing boats on order, as well as land to build future workshops.
In less than a year, the new AMEL Workshops and Shipyards site was constructed in an emerging industrial area on the outskirts of La Rochelle. Inaugurated in January 1969, it became the birthplace of all AMEL sailboats, including some iconic leisure models.
In 1971, production of the Garbi sailboat began, a 6-meter fishing-cruiser, followed in the same year by the Kirk, an 11-meter racing-cruising sloop.
1972 marked an exotic turn for AMEL, expanding its operations to the Caribbean. It was in Pointe-à-Pitre that the AMEL yacht rental company emerged, named “Guadeloupe Yachting”. Three models were initially offered: two Euros 41 (whose production also began that year), two Kirk, and two Garbi. Gradually, these were joined by sailboats owned by individuals who had crossed the Atlantic, and soon, the rental activity gave way to a full-fledged customer service base.
Henri AMEL’s ambition wasn’t limited to boat production. In 1973, as the world grappled with an oil crisis, Henri AMEL and three other La Rochelle builders created the Grand Pavois association, a brotherhood dedicated to coordinating and promoting the interests of the nautical sector. One of their goals was to bring to life a floating boat show, where enthusiasts could meet shipyard managers, discover boats on the water, and most importantly, step aboard!
The story of AMEL Yards is one of resilience, boldness, and passion. It’s a legacy passed down through generations.
To be continued…
