Amel 60 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Owner-style three-cabin, three-head layouts are the more common configuration on the used market, though other configurations exist, and ex-charter examples are also common. This layout places the owner's stateroom aft with a dedicated dinette, a longitudinal galley to starboard, and two near-mirror-image guest cabins forward, each with its own head and shower. The interior is a masterclass in liveaboard practicality, finished in a choice of American walnut or light oak joinery, with excellent natural light from the large hull portlights. Because Amel's options list was famously short, most layout decisions were effectively made at the factory, so variation between boats tends to show up in galley details and optional appliances rather than in the floorplan itself.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The Amel 60 left the factory with an extraordinarily comprehensive standard specification, so shopping the used market is largely a study of which optional systems were added at build or retrofitted later. A hardtop with an opening sunroof, electric winches, a hydraulic swim platform, and a bow thruster are all commonly fitted, along with an autopilot, chartplotter, and self-tacking jib as standard equipment. Lithium battery banks, solar arrays, and inverters are also commonly seen, reflecting the modern expectation of extended time at anchor, and a heating system is a common fit as well. Watermakers are commonly fitted too, while air conditioning, though it can define a boat's intended cruising grounds, is seen less often. Further up the options list, a furling Code 0, gennaker, or asymmetric spinnaker are often seen for downwind work, along with a furling mainsail, dodger, freezer, and hot water service. A washing machine, dinghy davits, and a dedicated cockpit shower are also frequently found, and many boats prepared for passage-making carry AIS and a life raft — it's not unusual to find a well-travelled example with a circumnavigation in its history. The optional electric staysail, which converts the sloop to a self-tacking cutter rig, and the optional retractable stern thruster are both factory options worth asking about, since either can meaningfully change how the boat handles short-handed.

What to Inspect

The Amel 60 is a robustly built vessel, but a used-boat survey should focus on a few key areas that are unique to its design. The engine room access — widely regarded as the best in the business thanks to a large, gas-strut-assisted cockpit floor hatch — should still be checked for hatch seal condition and strut wear, since this space needs to stay dry and well-sealed. The twin-rudder system is a defining feature, but the steering cable runs to the rudders are long, and some reviewers have flagged helm feel as a point worth checking; a thorough inspection of the steering system for slop or binding is essential. The electric furling systems for the mainsail and headsail should be run through their full range during a survey, and the carbon-fibre mast should be inspected for any signs of impact damage or UV degradation, particularly at the spreader roots. The solid stainless-steel guardrails that encircle the deck are a signature Amel feature; check the stanchion bases for corrosion where they pass through the deck. Finally, the hull and deck are resin-infused composite construction, and the teak-effect deck is a low-maintenance synthetic product — any repairs or patches should be examined closely for colour matching and adhesion.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Amel 60 shows up most often across Italy, Greece, Germany, and Slovenia, reflecting where the brand's cruising community is concentrated. Because Amel is built to a famously comprehensive standard specification and owners tend to add to that list over time, a well-selected used 60 can come remarkably close to a turnkey bluewater cruiser — the real work for a buyer is verifying which of the factory and aftermarket options above have actually been fitted, and confirming the condition of the systems noted above.

Quick Checklist for the Used-Market Buyer:

• Cutter Rig: Is the optional electric staysail fitted, converting the boat to a self-tacking cutter? A meaningful upgrade for shorthanded sailing.
• Stern Thruster: A significant aid for docking a twin-rudder boat with no propwalk — check whether it's installed and functional.
• Air Conditioning & Watermaker: Not every boat has both; confirm what's fitted against your intended cruising grounds.
• Battery System: Verify the age and type (lithium vs. AGM) and the condition of the inverter/charger.
• Steering System: Inspect the twin-rudder cable runs and helm unit for slop or binding.
• Engine Access: Check the cockpit hatch seals and gas struts for wear.