The history of the Amel shipyard is closely linked to that of its founder, Henri Amel. Despite his near-blindness, the entrepreneur decided in 1946 to devote himself to designing sailing yachts that were more comfortable, safer and easier to handle than those being built at the time. By the early 1950s, Henri was using polyester. In 1962, a base was reserved in Hyères, a brand new port. In 1964, the architect-builder decided to take over a shipyard based in La Rochelle – this was the real birth of Amel. Super Mistral Sport, Alisio, Copain, Pampero, Euros 39: a complete range was offered. Gradually, the shipyard began to take an interest in ocean-going models, and set up an irreproachable after-sales service. In 1979, as he had promised 5 years earlier, Henri Amel sold his company to his employees. Based in Hyères, the patriarch nevertheless remained involved in the life of his shipyard until 2000. Henri Amel died on 12 April 2005. From that date onwards, all new Amels bear his name… Today, the range comprises two models, the Amel 50 and the Amel 60.