Design and Construction
The Fango has a solid-fiberglass hull, a fin keel, and a skeg-hung rudder. Her 11.15-foot beam and 32.81-foot length produce a length-to-beam ratio of 2.94, which describes a narrow, seakindly hull.
The 11,023-pound hull carries 5,409 pounds of iron ballast, yielding a 40 percent ballast ratio. Her displacement-length ratio is 257, placing her among “moderate racers.” The immersion rate is about 1,039 pounds per inch, while the wetted-bottom surface measures 31 square meters—both modest figures for her length.
Rig and Handling
The Fango carries a masthead sloop rig with 538 square feet of sail. Her mast rises more than 50 feet above the waterline. Recommended sheets are 12 mm: 10 meters for the jib and genoa, 25 meters for the mainsheet, and 22 meters for the spinnaker sheet.
Loaded draft is about 5.25 to 5.55 feet, so she can enter most marinas. Her calculated hull speed is 6.9 knots.
Performance Character
The Fango’s sail-area-displacement ratio of 17.38 and displacement-length ratio of 257 suit sheltered shorthanded sailing. Her Motion Comfort Ratio is 23.8, indicating moderate damping.
The capsize screening value is 2.00, which means she wouldn’t be accepted to participate in ocean races and bounds her to coastal and nearshore use.
Accommodations, Tankage, and Engine
The Fango carries 300 liters (79 US gallons) of fresh water, a generous capacity for her length that implies a self-sufficient footprint for a compact cruiser. A 45-gallon diesel tank serves the single 28-horsepower Volvo Penta.
The Verdict
The Amel Fango is a small, limited-production cruiser that distills Carteau-era Amel philosophy into 33 feet. Her moderate ratios and manageable draft make her a sensible nearshore cruiser, while the production run of just thirty boats makes her a rare find.
Pros
- Limited-edition Amel, with only thirty built and a Carteau pedigree
- 40 percent ballast ratio and 257 D/L mark a composed cruiser
- 5.25–5.55 ft draft keeps marinas accessible
- 79-gallon water capacity is generous for her length
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.00 excludes ocean racing
- Small production run limits spares and community
