Amel Sharki 39 Buyer's Guide
The Amel Sharki 39 on the used market is a centre-cockpit ketch from the 1979–1987 production run, with 195 built by Amel of France. She is a solid-fibreglass, heavy-displacement bluewater cruiser of 21,300 lb with 7,060 lb of ballast, a fin keel, and a skeg-hung rudder — a boat whose specifications still read as a coherent offshore brief rather than a dated compromise.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Sharki shares the centre-cockpit ketch arrangement that defines the class: the helm sits amid-ships, with accommodation and systems divided fore and aft of it. The 39'3" hull carries an 11'8" beam and a 6'1" draft, and the 200-gallon water and 90-gallon diesel capacities reflect the original self-sufficient cruising intent. Buyers should expect the same general plan across surviving boats rather than variant layouts, since the model was produced to a single specification over its eight-year run.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Most Sharkis now offered will have been modernised for independent cruising. Solar, AIS, chartplotter, lithium batteries, inverter, and autopilot are commonly fitted, meaning a buyer can expect core navigation and power systems already in place. A furling main, bow thruster, dinghy davits, radar, heating, and hot water are also commonly seen, pointing to a boat set up for shorthanded dockage and liveaboard comfort. Often-seen additions include a watermaker and a wind generator for extended off-grid range, with a life raft, Starlink, and evidence of prior circumnavigation work appearing frequently as well. Less common but worth noting as owner upgrades are electric winches, a hardtop, and an EPIRB.
What to Inspect
A survey should confirm the integrity of the original structure and the skeg-hung rudder bearing. The centre-cockpit coaming and deck boundary deserve close attention, as does the rigging of a ketch that has often seen tropical sun and loaded passages. Prospective owners should verify the engine and its access, and confirm that any added bow thruster has been installed without compromising the forward structure.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Sharkis regularly appear in the United States, Spain, Italy, Panama, Greece, and Australia, giving a transatlantic and Pacific-basin buyer real choice. For a checklist:
- Confirm centre-cockpit hull and deck integrity on a solid-GRP boat
- Verify ketch rig dimensions and furling gear if fitted
- Check common upgrades: lithium, solar, autopilot, bow thruster
- Survey engine and rudder bearing
- Match expected markets to where the boat is actually offered
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Amel Sharki 39. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 8 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $114,500 | — |
| Sep 25 | 3 | $98,983 | -13.6% |
| Jan 26 | 6 | $87,669 | -11.4% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $75,693 | -13.7% |
| Mar 26 | 5 | $140,000 | +85.0% |
| Apr 26 | 5 | $75,693 | -45.9% |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $55,364 | -26.9% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $88,000 | +58.9% |
Where they're listed
Amel Sharki 39 listings appear across 7 countries. Spain has the most listings with 5 (22.7%), followed by United States and Italy.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMEL Sharki 39You are here | — | $ 88,000 | 23 | 3 |
| Moody 39 | 38.58' | $ 54,284 | 12 | 2 |
| Oyster Yachts 39 | 40.68' | $ 52,403 | 9 | 3 |
| Nicholson 39 | 39' | $ 101,910 | 8 | 3 |