Amel Sharki 39 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Sharki's centre-cockpit arrangement is consistent across the production run, and the hull's configuration does not vary the way a manufacturer with multiple floorplan options might offer. What you will find on the used market is a boat designed around two distinct living zones: a forward owner's cabin separated from the main saloon by the mast structure, and an aft double cabin beneath the cockpit. The saloon is compact but properly sea-going, with fixed settees oriented for offshore use. The galley is typically positioned along the main passageway, sized for serious cooking rather than marina entertaining. Headroom throughout is adequate but not generous by modern standards — buyers accustomed to tall, beamy cruisers from the 1990s and later will notice this immediately. The centre cockpit itself is deep and well protected, one of the Sharki's most practical selling points for couples doing extended passagemaking without a large crew.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Sharkis on the brokerage market are rarely found in original, unmodified condition. These boats attract committed voyagers who fit them for long passages, and the equipment lists reflect that orientation. Solar panels are almost universally present, often paired with a wind generator as a complementary charging source. Autopilots are standard on virtually every example you will encounter, typically upgraded or replaced from the original. AIS transceivers, chartplotters, and radar are commonly fitted across the fleet, reflecting the modern passage-making expectations of owners who use these boats for their intended purpose.

Lithium battery banks have become a frequent owner upgrade on examples that have passed through a refit cycle, replacing older lead-acid installations to support the electrical demands of modern electronics and watermakers. Inverters are widely seen, often installed alongside the battery upgrades. Bow thrusters appear on a meaningful portion of the fleet — particularly practical given that the Sharki's fin keel and ketch rig can make tight marina maneuvering demanding in crosswinds. Furling mains are a common modification away from the original in-mast or slab-reefing arrangement, reflecting owners' preference for easier shorthanded sail handling. Hot water systems and cabin heating are commonly fitted, confirming that many of these boats are used in northern European and high-latitude sailing as well as warmer cruising grounds.

Watermakers appear on some examples among blue-water-equipped boats, though by no means universally. Electric winches appear on some — particularly boats that have undergone comprehensive refits — and Starlink satellite internet has made its way onto a growing portion of the fleet. Life rafts are widely carried, as you would expect from boats used offshore; EPIRBs are also seen on many examples, particularly those equipped for offshore passages. Dinghy davits are widely fitted, accommodating the inflatable tenders that are standard for liveaboard cruising use.

What to Inspect

The Sharki's GRP hull is generally well-regarded for its construction integrity, but a boat of this vintage demands thorough survey regardless. Osmotic blistering is a known concern with fibreglass hulls of this era; any example that has not had a professional osmosis treatment should be assessed carefully below the waterline, and evidence of prior treatment should be documented and verified. The capsize screening formula and heavy displacement confirm a genuinely heavy-built hull, but age means fatigued fittings, chainplate corrosion, and tired standing rigging are realistic findings on unrestored examples.

The ketch rig introduces more rigging complexity than a sloop of equivalent size — both masts, both sets of spreaders, chainplates at multiple points, and the mizzen boom and vang all require careful inspection. Chainplates on boats of this era are a common failure point across many makes, and the Sharki is no exception; look closely at where they pass through the deck for signs of corrosion, moisture intrusion, or movement. The skeg-hung rudder arrangement is inherently robust and a genuine offshore virtue, but the gudgeons, pintles, and rudder bearings warrant close examination after decades of use.

The Perkins diesel engine that powers most examples is a well-proven unit with broad service network support, but these engines are now well into middle age on even the youngest hulls. Look for evidence of regular oil changes, heat exchanger condition, injector service history, and whether the raw water impeller is on a documented replacement schedule. Fuel tank integrity — often aluminum or steel on boats of this generation — should be assessed for corrosion or contamination. The centre cockpit's structural interface with the hull is a known inspection point on centre-cockpit designs generally; check for any flexing, soft spots in the surrounding GRP, or signs of water intrusion into the aft cabin above.

Through-hull fittings and seacocks deserve careful attention on any 40-year-old hull; bronze seacocks in good condition are desirable, but corroded or frozen fittings are a common finding and a necessary replacement before the boat goes offshore. Electrical systems on heavily refitted examples can become a patchwork of incompatible generations; a marine electrician's assessment is worthwhile if the boat has accumulated multiple layers of electronics and charging infrastructure over the years.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Sharki appears across the Mediterranean with notable regularity — Spain, Italy, and Greece all have active brokerage markets for this model, consistent with the boat's following among European bluewater cruisers. Examples also surface in Australia and along the eastern seaboard of the United States, reflecting the model's genuinely global reach after decades of offshore service. Supply is limited relative to demand; the small production run means buyers may need to search patiently and consider importing from a distant market if the right boat becomes available.

For buyers who find the right example, the Sharki offers a compelling combination of proven offshore capability, a sensible centre-cockpit layout, and a ketch rig that rewards shorthanded sailing. The key is understanding that condition and refit quality matter enormously on boats of this age — the difference between a well-maintained, systematically upgraded Sharki and a neglected one is substantial.

Before committing, work through this checklist:

• Commission a full out-of-water survey by a marine surveyor experienced with bluewater cruising yachts of this era
• Inspect all chainplates and deck penetrations for corrosion and moisture intrusion
• Assess the hull below the waterline for osmotic blistering and verify any prior treatment
• Evaluate engine hours, service records, and heat exchanger and injector condition
• Check all standing rigging on both masts, including wire condition, toggle alignment, and swage fittings
• Confirm integrity of through-hulls, seacocks, and stuffing box or shaft seal
• Review the full electrical system for coherence across any layered upgrades, including battery bank, charging sources, and bonding
• Verify the rudder bearings, pintles, and gudgeons are sound
• Confirm life raft and EPIRB certifications are current
• Test the autopilot under load and assess the watermaker if fitted