Design and Construction
The hull is built as a solid laminate below the waterline and a PVC foam sandwich above, all resin-infused — a technique introduced on the smaller Amel 50. This construction method delivers a light displacement of 28.95 tonnes and a D/L ratio that one reviewer's own calculation pegged at 137, a remarkably low figure for a 62-foot cruiser. The moderate-aspect-ratio fin keel carries a bulbed tip at a draught of 2.35 metres, while the twin rudders are tucked beneath a large aft storage compartment. The bow and stern are both very full in section, creating interior volume, and there is a hint of taper in the plan view as the beam carries aft. That beam of 5.35 metres gives an L/B of 3.36. The deck is ringed by a stainless steel guardrail encircling the entire deck, sitting higher than conventional wire lifelines and adding a real sense of security when moving forward.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling
Amel broke with its own tradition when it shifted from ketch to sloop rig on the 50, and the 60 doubles down on that decision with a carbon fibre mast as standard. The boat carries a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of about 21, calculated from mainsail and genoa alone, which sits on the lively side for a cruiser of this size. The standard package includes an electric in-mast furling main, an electric furling genoa, and a fixed stainless steel bowsprit for light-air sails. A self-tacking cutter rig with an electric furling staysail is offered as an option, and the test boat carried that setup; it worked well, especially because the staysail is mounted far enough forward to be an effective sail on its own in a breeze. The helm station is offset and forward in a deep, sheltered centre cockpit, with all sail controls centralised there, and the electric winches make it unlikely you will ever need to break out a winch handle. The mainsheet winch is mounted to starboard of the companionway and within easy reach of the helmsman. Under power, the standard bow thruster is adequate, but the optional retractable stern thruster transforms close-quarters manoeuvring, because the twin rudders provide no propwalk to help you turn.
Accommodations and Systems
Below deck, the interior is finished in American walnut or light oak, with mahogany no longer offered. Light streams in through large rectangular hull portlights and a tinted wraparound windscreen, creating what the interior designer called a "chic, open and bright" atmosphere. The layout places the main saloon amidships with a centreline bench seat that allows six to dine, a long galley to starboard, and a navigation station tucked to port. Aft is the owner's cabin with its own small U-shaped seating area and a very spacious head with a large shower stall. Forward, two mirror-image double cabins each have their own head and shower. The engine room is accessed by lifting the entire cockpit sole on gas struts, described by one tester as the best engine access you can imagine, providing instant, lighted, walk-in space around the 180-hp diesel. The galley comes comprehensively fitted as standard, including an induction hob, microwave, dishwasher, and washer-drier; optional extras on the short options list include an icemaker, wine cooler, and second deep freeze.
Known Issues and Owner Considerations
No model is perfect, and a couple of ergonomic quirks have been noted. The electric sheet winches are mounted behind the helmsman, and operating them without first checking that no hand or sheet is in the way requires deliberate discipline. The grab handles in the guest cockpit area are angular and have a sharp feel that one tester found less than comfortable. Under sail in light airs the boat performs well — one test recorded 5.4 knots in 6–7 knots of true wind — but the long cable runs to the twin rudders likely result in a steering feel that is not fingertip-light, a characteristic also noted on the smaller Amel 50. The lack of propwalk under power is a genuine factor when berthing, making the optional stern thruster valuable for many owners.
The Verdict
The Amel 60 is a thoroughly modern bluewater cruiser that successfully blends the yard's obsessive focus on short-handed safety with genuinely contemporary styling and performance. It is not a sport boat, nor does it pretend to be; it is a comfortable, fast passage-maker that a couple can handle with confidence, while still having room for guests. The build quality and completeness of the standard specification set a benchmark that few rivals can match. If you are looking for a go-anywhere yacht that does not require a professional crew and that is built to reward careful, long-term ownership, this is a true benchmark for practical, solid engineering worth a very close look.
Pros
- Outstanding engine-room access, easily the best in class
- Comprehensive standard equipment list that eliminates most decision fatigue
- All-electric sail handling makes single or couple shorthanded sailing genuinely easy
- Twin rudders provide both redundancy and precise control when heeled
- High-quality resin-infused construction with a solid laminate below the waterline
Cons
- Steering feel may be heavier than some owners prefer due to long cable runs to the twin rudders
- Electric winch controls behind the helmsman require constant vigilance to avoid accidents
- Lack of propwalk makes manoeuvring under power tricky without the optional stern thruster
- Cockpit grab handles are angular and not particularly comfortable in rough weather
