When Henri Amel first began building composite sailing boats back in 1962, you could say the writing was already on the wall. They were big boats by the standards of the times, and their fame spread by word of mouth. Techniques and technology may have evolved since then, but today, Amel still builds large yachts for discerning customers who are remarkably loyal to the brand.
It began with a legend. The yard’s founder was active in the French Resistance during World War II, and he adopted the nom de guerre, Amel. Wounded in one eye – and temporarily losing his sight altogether – he built small wooden boats for friends and family from the relative safety of Lyon, which initially remained outside the occupied zone. After liberation, he decided to stick with his new surname and his boatbuilding activities.
It wasn’t until 1962 that things changed up a gear, however. First, Amel set up a base in the Mediterranean port city of Hyères. Then, two years later, he bought the ARPIN company in La Rochelle, which specialised in fibreglass construction. “I met Amel before he died in 2005,” says Sales Director Antoine Rioton.
“Of course, I had some discussion with the Captain – you know, we weren’t allowed to call him monsieur. He was a real leader, and people were really pleased to work with such a great guy. He was one of the first ones making boats in fibreglass.”
