Chantiers AMEL’s production workshops and logistics services will be closed for a summer break from August 3 to September 1, 2024. During this period, all production operations, as well as receipts of goods, will be suspended.
Our customer service and sales teams are available to help you organize your orders and answer any questions regarding our yachts. We wish you a wonderful summer.
Alongside the modernization project of our production site, we are sharing with you some milestones from our shipyard’s history.
CHAPTER 5 – The Epic Journey of the Meltem and the Birth of the Maramu
In the 1970s, Chantiers AMEL entered a period of transformation and innovation under the visionary leadership of Henri Amel. The Meltem, launched as the shipyard’s first major offshore cruising yacht, became the precursor to significant advances in sailboat design. Measuring 16 meters in length and 4.25 meters in width, this center-cockpit ketch offered extensive equipment, including central heating with radiators. A true adventurer of the seas! Its dimensions were impressive for the time, and the approximately 50 units produced made it a shorter series compared to the Kirk and Euros 41 models, which were produced in more than 250 units each.
The Meltem, however, allowed Mr. Amel and his shipyard to embark on a remarkable adventure. During what he called “the Coconut Route,” Henri Amel boarded the Meltem “Capitoune II” to cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean, then through the Panama Canal, to reach Polynesia, promising to personally deliver the sailboat to a friend in Tahiti.
The journey began on October 25, 1975, in La Rochelle. The Captain, then 62 years old and still visually impaired, set off with three crew members to sail to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, where they arrived on December 6, 1975. After a month of sailing in the Caribbean, they set course for Tahiti, reaching their destination on June 21, 1976.
During this journey, Mr. Amel, inspired by his experiences and observations at sea, designed a new boat in collaboration with Jacques Carteau from afar. It was during this transoceanic crossing that the Maramu began to take shape, the result of the close cooperation between Henri Amel and his closest collaborator. The two men had regular talks via SSB (Single Side Band), a radio communication method, to discuss the technical specifications and necessary innovations to be integrated into this new model. Aimed at providing even more comfort and safety for long crossings, the Maramu marked the beginning of an era of continuous innovation for Chantiers AMEL.
In 1978, the Ateliers et Chantiers AMEL evolved into Chantiers AMEL S.A., marking a transition to a strengthened corporate structure. It was during this same year that the shipyard began production of the Maramu. The plans for this 13.80-meter cruising sailboat were the first to be co-signed by Henri Amel and Jacques Carteau. The Maramu was a true success, with more than 270 units produced at the Périgny workshops until 1989. This model quickly became essential for sailors seeking reliability on the high seas and remains highly sought after today for long-distance cruising programs.
The year 1979 marks a significant milestone for the AMEL teams. Ten years after rebuilding the shipyard following the devastating fire of 1968, Henri Amel fulfilled the promise he made to his employees, without whom “the shipyards would not exist”: he transferred the vast majority of the company to them, leaving the management to Jacques Carteau. This change in leadership coincided with the start of production of the Sharki and Mango models, expanding the AMEL range with sailboats from 12 to 16 meters, designed for comfortable and safe cruising with a small crew.
At the dawn of the 1980s, these developments prepared Chantiers AMEL for a new decade filled with significant events that would continue to define the brand’s legacy and its impact on the world of sailing.
To be continued…
This autumn, Chantiers AMEL will be making appearances at two must-attend events: the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Grand Pavois de La Rochelle. These shows provide sailing enthusiasts with the opportunity to get up close with the AMEL range of models and meet the teams in person.
Europe’s largest afloat boat show will be held in Cannes from September 10th to 15th, 2024. The AMEL booth will be at Port Canto, Sail Mono area, showcasing an AMEL 60 and an AMEL 50. For the latter, it’s the hull number 100 that will be on display, symbolizing the remarkable success of this sailing yacht since her launch in September 2017, coincidentally also at Cannes.
Secure your spot now for an immersive tour, providing insights into the AMEL concept and highlighting the evolution of our product range.
From October 1st to 6th, 2024, the AMEL team will extend its presence to the Grand Pavois de La Rochelle. In the city where AMEL sailboats have been born for around sixty years, you can also visit a newly launched AMEL 50. Contact us to reserve your visit!
We look forward to seeing you at the fall boat shows. Chantiers AMEL takes pride in showcasing the expertise of its teams and is delighted to meet you at these events, whether you are current or future owners, passionate about the sea and sailing, or interested in joining our team.
Discover the AMEL experience! Follow us on social media to stay updated on our news.
Contact us to organize your visit:
commercial@amel.fr
AMEL La Rochelle – tel. +33 (0) 546 55 17 31
AMEL Hyères – tel. +33 (0) 494 57 60 80
For several years now, Chantiers AMEL has been a partner of the Rallye des Iles du Soleil, a transatlantic crossing which is organised by the Grand Pavois Organisation. Through sponsoring this unique event, AMEL offers owners of its yachts the opportunity to cruise together in a small fleet, alongside other yacht brands, ensuring a safe, pleasant, and convivial experience. The rally finishes in Guadeloupe, on the little island of Marie Galante, an ideal location from which to embark on a sailing trip through the Caribbean. What’s more, the proximity of the AMEL Caraïbes facility in Martinique offers AMEL owners the chance to carry out any necessary post-crossing servicing.
We recently met up with Peter and Rosie, owners of ‘Rainbow’, an AMEL 50. They are currently moored at the AMEL pontoon in La Rochelle and have just signed up to take part in the 2024 edition of the rally. They were delighted to answer our questions!
Questions
Is this your first AMEL?
No, we previously owned an AMEL 55 (also called Rainbow), which we had from 2014 until early 2023. We travelled halfway around the world with her! The first year, we sailed from La Rochelle to the Mediterranean… Spain, Portugal, the Algarve, Hyères, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Malta. Then we headed back to Spain, passing Gibraltar on our way to Lagos, then Madeira and the Canaries. In November 2016, we crossed the Atlantic as part of the ARC+ from Gran Canaria to Cabo Verde and then onwards to the Caribbean. In January 2017, we sailed through the Panama Canal with the World ARC, heading to the Pearl Islands and onto the Galapagos. We then sailed for another 21 days to the Marquesas Islands, then the Tuamotu Archipelago, Tahiti, and Bora Bora. There, we left the World ARC fleet and continued on at our own pace towards Samoa, Fiji and New Caledonia, spending around 8 weeks at each stopover. In November 2017, we arrived in New Zealand, where we stayed put for one and a half years. We returned to New Caledonia in July 2019, then sailed on to Bundaberg in Australia (famous for its rum distillery!), and finally to Brisbane. We stayed there until Christmas 2019, when we flew back to Germany to spend the festive period at home. Unfortunately, in April 2020, Rainbow became stuck in Australia when the Coronavirus pandemic hit, which prevented us from sailing her back. At this point, Peter decided to contact the AMEL Shipyard to look into buying an AMEL 50, but Antoine in the Sales Department told him that there was a 2-year waiting list! Despite the wait, we decided to place our order for a 50, and to have our AMEL 55 shipped back to Europe. In 2022, Rainbow arrived in Spain. We sailed her back to La Rochelle ourselves, where, in 2023, she was delivered to her new owner.
How did you find out about the Rallye des Iles du Soleil?
We got in contact with the organisers of the ARC about once again crossing the Atlantic, this time in our AMEL 50. And then we heard about the partnership between AMEL and the Rallye des Iles du Soleil and set out to find out more about this event.
Why did you decide to sign up for the rally?
This particular rally is a nice size, it’s a really convivial event.
Did you have any problems with the language?
Not at all! We were put in contact with Alexa in La Rochelle and all our discussions were conducted in English.
Have you already scheduled some training dates with the rally organisers?
Yes, but unfortunately the first date we tried to sign up for was already full (use of survival equipment, etc.). However, there will be a meeting in La Rochelle at the end of May for all participants.
How will you be preparing your yacht for this transatlantic crossing?
The team at AMEL’s pontoon first has to refit the genoa and forestay sail, which we removed for the winter. Then, at the beginning of May, our skipper will arrive to take the yacht from La Rochelle to La Coruña. After this trip, he will be coming back to La Rochelle so that we can adjust the shrouds and make sure that the rigging is properly set up. We’ll also start provisioning the yacht. Departure from La Rochelle is scheduled for early June, with departure from La Palma in early November.
Will you be joined by any family or friends?
This time, we have enlisted the services of a professional skipper (from the company PYD), as we are not as young as we used to be (nearly 75 years old!). This will make the watches easier, and it will be more relaxing. It’s usually just the two of us on our AMEL yacht, although on one occasion we did invite two friends from our club on Lake Constance (where Rosie learnt to sail) to join us on our Panama Canal to Galapagos trip. All the other trips aboard our AMEL 55 and our AMEL 50, we’ve undertaken as a couple… and we’ve enjoyed them immensely!
We sincerely hope that other AMEL owners will sign up for this rally. We’ve already spoken to the owners of ‘Vo-Vo’ and ‘Moana’, two other AMEL 50s, who seem to be very interested.