In parallel with the project to streamline our production site, we share with you some steps of the history of our shipyard.
Chapter 4: Living and sharing the passion for the sea.
In our November newsletter, we mentioned the creation in 1973 of the Salon du Grand Pavois boat show of La Rochelle by Henri Amel, Fernand Hervé, Michel Dufour and Roger Mallard. This initiative has greatly contributed to promoting the nautical sector and remains a not to be missed event for all sailing and sea enthusiasts.
Henri Amel lived entirely for his shipyard and for sailing, he loved sharing his enthusiasm. That same year of 73, he allowed two young women, Aline Marchand, and Dominique Berthier, to board a Kirk, the Capitoune, to start a La Rochelle to Barbados transatlantic crossing. Back after 8 months of sailing, they arrived in great shape and allowed Mr. Amel to declare “there is no need to be scruffy and dirty to look like a real sailor!”, thus highlighting the comfort offered on board an AMEL. The Kirk, an 11-metre racer-cruiser, was produced to more than 250 units from 1971 to 1978: a great success. Henri Amel himself owned one, which he had equipped with all the possible technology and “luxury” of the time.
It was also in 1973 that, to thank his team for having succeeded in reviving the site from its ashes (following the 1968 fire), Henri Amel celebrated with it his sixtieth birthday. During his speech, he said he wanted to “ease the sheets” and let his team manage the rest of the AMEL adventure. But the debt linked to the construction of the Périgny workshops in 1968 forced him to remain active and present besides his employees for a few more years, always accomplishing with the same dedication and desire to communicate his passion.
During the 70s, the models built by the yard were the Kirk, the Euro 41, and the Meltem. The latter being the brand’s first large bluewater sailing yacht, it will also allow Henri Amel to live an extraordinary experience.
To be continued.
Henri Amel at the helm of the very special Kirk Maï Taï.
