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Text and photographs by Roberto Moneda
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AMEL YARD - SUPER MARAMU
The sea trials of the Super Maramu took place in a 30/35-knot wind
and a very rough sea. This yacht is a GRP ketch, built by the
notorious and widely appreciated French yard Amel.
We went to Hyères, on the southern coast of France, where
the yard has its own servicing pier and where it moors its queens
of the sailing world.
This was a special occasion for verifying the seaworthiness and
maneuverability of a boat that maintains her promises and that
might offer even more.
Traditionalist sailors dislike of technological interpretations of
sailing boats is more a matter of prejudice than of mental
disposition. Innovations such as mainsail and jib roller-reefing
systems, bow thruster, electrical winches, power assisted blocks,
automatic pilots and whatever is technologically new and is
applied to a sailing boat worry them.
Yet, I suggest them to jump onboard the Super Maramu where they
will certainly change their minds and overcome old prejudices that
should not apply to these technological solutions.
If we had to summarize in a few words our opinion of this 52'6"
footer Amel, we could say that we tested a fast close-hauling
boat. She is very performing (maximum speed of 11 knots with 30-
knot gusts with an angle with the wind of not more than 20-22
degrees) and is very maneuverable.
Actually, the Super Maramu (average annual production of 40 units)
concentrates technological innovations and patents tested and
tuned by the engineering staff of the yard and surveyed by the
aged, yet dynamic, Monsieur Amel.
Let us not be too lengthy, data and photographs speak better than
words. Let me just give an advice: whoever has a little less than
a billion liras to spend for a big cabin cruiser should go to
Hyères!
 TECHNICAL DATA
Designer: Naval Architects H. Amel and J. Carteau
Yard: Amel Yards, La Rochelle, 17185 Périgny Cedex,
France; tel. +33-46-551731, fax +33-46-454303 (France)
Gross tonnage: 29.55 tons
L.O.A.: 52'6"
LWL: 41'4"
Beam: 15'
Draft: 6'8"
Light displacement: 13.78 tons
Power: 80 hp Volvo Penta Turbo Diesel
Maximum speed under power: 8 knots
Maximum theoretical sailing speed: 10/12 knots
Freshwater tank: 264 gallons
Bathrooms: 2
Berths: 6/8 in 3/4 cabins
Rigging: ketch
Main mast: 65'7"
Mizzen mast: 45'11"
Sail area: 1280 sqft
Jib: 699 sqft
Mizzen: 204 sqft
Mizzen jib: 333 sqft
Spinnaker: 731 sqft
Price: FF 2,800,000 ex VAT.
CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS
Keel: lead with small fins and Amel propelling system
Hull and deck: special Amel stratified GRP, composite
materials, wood; After peak and forward peak with two watertight bulkheads
Rudder: stainless steel blade
Hardware: Amel and other excellent trademarks
Running rigging: all halyards and lines are led to the
cockpit, in the central part of the boat
Inflatable raft: stowed on portside of cockpit, with line
and fitting for quick lifting
Swimming ladder: teak and stainless steel swimming ladder
to be used on the side of the boat and convertible in gangway.
IMPRESSIONS
SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING BOAT TESTING
Wind: 25/30 knots
Sea: rough
STEERING PERFORMANCE
Visibility: excellent in all conditions
close-hauled and abeam: excellent upwind performance, due to her
sail surface used during sea trials. When sailing cross wind she
is very light
Running and broad reaching: due to the strong wind, we
could not hoist the spinnaker, nevertheless, the boat showed
excellent lift with four sails set
Course steadiness: precise maneuvers are possible with the
steering wheel, even on waves.
Wave impact: the hull crosses the waves in a comfortable
and decisive manner
Under power: excellent performing capabilities thanks to
the quality of the propelling unit and its leg. The choice of a
variable pitch propeller was excellent. The yard paid special
attention to the propelling unit and because of this the cruising
speed under power is of 7 knots. She could be compared to a motor-
sailer with limited noise of engine even at high speed.
Engine vibration: irrelevant, thanks to the excellent noise
insulation
Docking maneuverability: excellent. The recessed 10-hp bow
thruster is controlled by a joystick. Docking in a 30-knot stern
wind is possible without using the steering wheel!
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
Hull Design: Naval Architects Amel and Carteau, who
designed the boat, succeeded in meeting two main requirements: fun
and comfort. For this aim, they designed a hull that is very
sensitive to stresses and has excellent performing capabilities.
The winged-shaped keel with bulb, designed by Amel, better
counteracts the pressure generated by the sails
Sail plan: standard sails include the mainsail, mizzen,
jib, mizzen jib and spinnaker. During sea trials we could not test
the spinnaker but we set the other four sails at all points of
sail. The standard sail area is definitely sufficient for sailing
in all conditions
Deck: the roller-reefing mainsail and headsail together
with the steering wheel make the central cockpit the main
operative position. The cockpit is very comfortable. Deck fittings
are of very good quality and all lines are neatly led through the
blocks. The standard dodger that may be folded in the cockpit is
an interesting solution and it integrates very well in the outside
line of the boat.
EVALUATION OF CONSTRUCTION
Building materials: high-quality composite materials.
Finishing: very good both on deck as well as belowdeck,
mainly due to the 50-year experience of the yard in boatbuilding.
Interior layout: the drawings include three separated areas:
forward, amidships and aft,
two bathrooms near the forward and the aft cabins, an ample
dinette with a fully equipped worktop. The chart table is
separated and large, opposite the storeroom.
Interior decor is elegant because of the large use of
wooden doors, bulkheads and linings (African mahogany). There are
several lockers, drawers and open storing spaces that are very
useful on cruisers of this type. In addition, innovations such as
the refrigerator/ice box under the dinette settee, the cable
locker-cover stops and the movable footrest in the toilet
compartment to be used when sailing close-hauled are very useful
and practical.
Deck: fore-and-aft passage: very good. The shrouds do not
hinder fore-and-aft passage. Anti-slipping material: excellent.
The brown anti-slipping material on deck has a greater gripping
effect than teak. The cockpit floor and the deck throughout are
made of this special material that could be erroneously called
"false teak". Actually, it has a better gripping effect than teak
and no maintenance requirements
Stanchions: strong and safe stainless steel molded-in stanchions
Grabrails: all shrouds are sheathed in running nylon
protection sleeves of different diameter
Foredeck arrangement: clean and practical. Chain roller,
electrical windlass with support, stainless steel anchor chain and
anchor are fitted. The anchor chain is automatically washed.
Safety: excellent in the tested boat, especially due to the
toe-rail molded in the GRP which serves as a firm foot brace on deck.
Anchor locker: not contemplated because the anchor is
blocked in place in a stainless steel fitting
Fairleads: practically located, outside the railings, on
the upper edge of the toe-rail
Mooring bitts and cleats: 6, 2 forward and 4 aft. Rigging and fittings
Mast: mast and mizzen mast with roller-reefing systems
Boom: Amel regulation of the mainsail sheet. No vang
Shrouds: first-quality and well positioned.
Sails: tri-radial; 2 fully rigged spinnaker poles and two smaller
integrated Amel poles. Headsail protection.
Steering: wheel steering
Headsail reefing: standard electrical roller-furling system with remote control in the cockpit
Mainsail reefing: standard electrical roller-furling system
Winches: 7 Amel/other excellent trademarks
Headsail lead blocks: 2, suitably positioned.
Mainsheet traveler: of small size, on the coachroof
Engine controls: one throttle lever with on/off key and one
fuel closing switch to port of the wheel in the forward part of the cockpit
Sailing instruments: instruments panel belowdeck with
instrument indicators on deck for boat speed, wind speed, wind
angle, and B&G echo-sounder; Autohelm automatic pilot (double upon
request); day vision radar; GPS, VHF, Sonic Speed log with video,
watch, barometer, compass
Engine instruments: electrical fuel level gauge and full
data instruments.
Cockpit
Design: spacious, along the boat's centerline. Side
settees, a pilot's seat and a removable wooden table are fitted
Comfort: very good for 6 persons plus the helmsman
Helm station: excellent visibility, comfortable above all
when standing. Pilot's seat is fitted
Engine noise during cruising: scarcely audible because of
noise-insulation of engine room
Engine vibration during cruising: almost none
Lockers: two forward, one in the cockpit and a big one aft
for inflatable raft storage
Cockpit table: large. The table has a wooden top and
stainless steel legs
Shower on deck: contemplated
Inflatable raft: stored in the aft portside locker
Swimming ladder: contemplated, to be fitted on the side of
the hull; it is convertible in gangway when boat is docked
Companionway
Accessibility: good with sliding hatch
Safety: excellent. Secure steps, stainless steel grabrails, anti-slipping deck
Weather tightness: good due to the surrounding double sill
Closing system: wooden hatch with locking key
Dinette
Headroom: max. 6'8"
Comfort: excellent for 6/8 persons, convertible in berths for 2 persons
Ventilation: excellent. Independent air conditioners for hot and cold air are fitted in each cabin
Natural lighting: good due to several portholes and hatches
Artificial lighting: plenty. Spotlights, overhead and embedded lights are fitted
Interior handholds: suitably positioned
Lockers and shelves: several. Drawers, shelves and lockers
are fitted in all cabins. Several hanging lockers are provided
Engine vibration during cruising: slight yet not disturbing
Locker volume: enough for long crossings
Chart table: large, with stool, light, digital control
dashboard and several storing spaces
Space for electronic instruments: easy access (including
the radar). Instruments may be easily removed for maintenance
Natural lighting: fair because the hatch remains on the
back an on starboardside of the person sitting at the chart table
Artificial lighting: good. Embedded lights and a rotating spotlight are fitted
Safety: good
Engine vibration during cruising: scarcely audible
Locker volume: excellent.
Forward stateroom
Headroom: 6'3"
Berth overhead: excellent
Bed length: 5'11"
Ventilation: good due to the manhole
Natural lighting: good
Artificial lighting: sufficient
Locker volume: several useful lockers of different sizes
Engine vibration during cruising: absent.
Aft master stateroom
Headroom: 6'3"
Berth overhead: excellent
Bed length: 6'3"-6'7"
Ventilation: fair
Natural lighting: excellent
Artificial lighting: good
Locker volume: adequate for long crossings
Engine vibration during cruising: noticeable, especially when running above average speed.
Third stateroom
Ventilation: less than in the other two staterooms
Natural lighting: poor
Artificial lighting: good
Locker volume: minimal because the locker under the bed contains the batteries
Engine vibration during cruising: minimal.
Galley
Sink: double sink
Freshwater: cold and hot water
Seawater: contemplated
Range: stainless steel gimbaled range with two gas burners and oven
Extractor: contemplated with filter plus opening porthole above the galley
Worktop: large worktop with mosaic design
Refrigerator: an electrical refrigerator is contemplated
together with a second refigerator/freezer. In addition, a
dishwasher and a washing machine are installed
Locker volume: plenty of space
Comfort: like an average household kitchen
Ventilation: opening porthole over the range and near the companionway
Natural lighting: very good
Artificial lighting: embedded lights and spotlights
Safety: excellent
Engine vibration during cruising: slight.
Bathrooms
Sink: in GRP
Comfort: very good, bathrooms are roomy
Toilet: manual
Locker volume: considerable
Ventilation: good, with opening porthole
Natural lighting: good
Artificial lighting: fair, embedded lights are fitted
Engine vibration during cruising: minimal, perceptible aft.
The movable footrests are practical and the wood finishing is very pleasant.
Engine room
the engine room is very roomy with almost enough headroom to stand upright
Noise insulation: excellent, as on motor yacht
Access: good front access, excellent side access, excellent
top and bottom access
Oil gauge access: good
Reversing gear access: excellent
Ventilation: ventilation is produced by an electrical fan.Auxiliaries
Electrical panel: easy comprehension. It is a bit too high over the galley top
Electrical plant: 220V electric circuit with electronic battery charger
Batteries: 9
Fuel tank: 160 gallons
Freshwater tank: large (266 gallons)
Bilge pump: automatic
Hydraulic plant: excellent.
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