Buy/Sell
an Amel



Pre-Purchase/Sale Consulting is now available to both Buyers and Sellers of Amel Yachts. I am an experienced Amel Yacht Specialist and I understand the complexities of selecting the right Amel yacht, as well as, the issues in the sale & purchase process. I am not a broker, nor am I a surveyor. I am a non-conflicted knowledgeable consultant to future Amel owners and current Amel sellers. 

 I have developed a low-cost solution, which combines my experience and the use of common technology to remotely perform an evaluation of the Amel you may want to buy or sell. I review hundreds of your photos (I give you a list of what to photograph) and I review the owner's answers to hundreds of my experience-prepared and pointed questions. I also provide my Pre-Purchase clients with the "Amel Survey Checklist," which is a list of items that are commonly missed by some surveyors. The combination of all of this information gives me a unique perspective and allows me to provide a qualified summary of the advantages and problems with the proposed Amel. More information on exactly how Amel Pre-Purchase Consulting works.

With this completed review, a buyer can make an informed decision and proceed with accurate information. This completed review also helps a seller properly present the value of his Amel to a buyer/broker. I have helped a large number of buyers with their purchase of an Amel. I have just started offering this service to sellers. 

 I am frequently asked, "what is the best Amel to buy...is it the one with the least engine hours?" The BEST Amel to buy normally has very little to do with engine hours. Remember the cost of 4 sails the same quality as original for a 54 will be near the cost of an engine overhaul. Some sailors will "flog" the sails to save engine hours. The best buy for any Amel will be more about the owner and his attention to maintenance procedures and the care he has provided to his Amel, and especially with his choice of replacement components of Amel OEM equipment with the same or similar equipment. 
Buyers:
  • I see far too many Amels with cheap inexpensive devices replacing the Amel original equipment. 
  • I see too many Amels with running and standing rigging needing replacement. 
  • I see far too many Amels with poorly-made Chinese sails. 
  • I also see too many Amels with engine rooms full of rust. 
  • I have had too many clients who did not use me for Pre-Purchase Consulting...and when I arrive for the Yacht School Course, I find 10,000 - 50,000 in needed repairs. 
Sellers:
  • The photos you take and my review and my recommendations will allow you to remedy potential buyer objections.
  • You may have some valuable additions on your Amel that require a 3rd party explanation for the buyer to recognize the value.
  • Your prepared answers to my questions will be at least twice the information normally used in a listing for sale. More information usually equates to greater value.
  • The sum of the Pre-Purchase/Sale information will allow a complete and transparent assessment of your Amel.
Pre-Purchase/Sale Consulting includes:
- I will provide you with experienced and unconflicted answers to your many questions before, during, and at the completion of the Pre-Purchase/Sale review.  
- "List of Specific Photos" to be taken like this one of rigging date of mfg.
- "List of Owner Questions" 
- "Amel Survey Checklist" to ensure a complete survey
- "Review and Report" for Buyers on the advertised listing material & photos
- "Written Comments" on each photo of the proposed Amel
- "Optional Summary Estimate" or "Condition Report" 
- Yacht School Preferred Vendor Discounts on Amel OEM and quality OEM substitute systems and parts.

 If you are not sure if Pre-Purchase/Sale Consulting works for you, or if you have any questions regarding anything Amel, I offer a free 1 hour consulting on any subject. Ask anything you may want to ask and get experienced answers. Text me at 1-832-380-4970 to set a time for your 1-hour phone call.

 List of "Condition Categories I use for Amels:
Excellent used Amel: This is an Amel that is in the top 10% of Amels its age.  All equipment works and performs as new. The maintenance has been perfectly and meticulously performed. Failed OEM equipment has been replaced with OEM equipment or equivalents to OEM. There is not a single unidentified new wire added. There is no rust or oxidation. All painted and gel-coated surfaces have been maintained and, if necessary, repainted. None of the sails, standing rigging, and/or running rigging are beyond life expectancy and none need repair. The interior is without any blemish, and soft surfaces have probably replaced with new fabrics.

Above Average used Amel: This is an Amel that is in the top 20% of Amels its age.  All equipment works and performs as new. Maintenance has been performed according to recommended schedules. Some failed OEM equipment has been replaced with less expensive products. Some additional wiring is not labeled. Minor rust and oxidation spots are visible. Not all painted and gel-coated surfaces have been maintained. A minor amount of the sails, standing rigging, and/or running rigging are beyond life expectancy and some need repair.  The interior appears used but in good condition.


Average used Amel: All equipment works and performs as well. Maintenance has been performed when needed, but not always on schedule and not always according to specifications by all of the boat's owners. More often, failed OEM equipment has been replaced with lower quality products. In more than a few instances, the added wiring is not labeled. Some rust and oxidation spots are visible. Only some painted and gel-coated surfaces have been maintained. Some of the sails, standing rigging, and/or running rigging are beyond life expectancy and some need replacing.  The interior shows the appropriate wear and age.

Below Average used Amel: Not all equipment works and performs as new.  The following will apply to some or all of the boat owners. Maintenance has been neglected until something breaks or fails. Most failed OEM equipment has been replaced with less expensive products. Substantial additional wiring is not labeled. Major areas of rust and oxidation are visible. Painted and gel-coated surfaces have not been maintained. Most of the sails, standing rigging, and/or running rigging are beyond life expectancy and some need replacing. The interior upholstery needs replacing and some dents and scratches on hard surfaces. A below Average used Amel will require a refit of at least 25,000.

Poor Condition used Amel: A poor condition Amel requires a major refit that will cost at least 100,000.

Do not buy under any circumstances used Amel: This is an Amel that represents about 5% of Amels its age. This is an Amel that even if acquired for no cost, it will cost more to bring up to average condition than what an average condition Amel its age will cost to buy. In many cases, this Amel has been deemed a total loss by a qualified surveyor or insurance company.


 Example of 1 photo out of 275 for an Amel 54 Pre-Purchase Review:
Pre-Purchase Review of Amel 54 - Photo #37 of 275
Do you see the grease stain in the middle-bottom of the photo under the outhaul line winch? Click the photo to enlarge. I made a note to the buyer that the grease had likely leaked out of the outhaul gearbox and to check it closely.

In fact, the gearbox had no grease and the gears were worn so much that they did not last another week. The cost of replacing the gearbox was $800 paid for by the seller.

The line for the outhaul was out of the Line Tender on top of the gearbox. Everyone noticed that. What nobody else noticed was that the line needed replacing. Cost $275.

 Would you miss these?
All of these photos indicate serious issues, some costing thousands of dollars to repair. They were all missed by the owner's inspection and the surveyor.
What do you see in the photo to the left? Click the photo to enlarge. You probably see some rust. The surveyor noted that the rust needed to be treated.

What I saw was evidence that the engine room had flooded. A flooded engine room can cause tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. Some of the damage isn't immediate and will occur after you close the sale. The seller had hidden the engine room flooding from the buyer and the surveyor didn't catch it.
Click on the photo at the left to see the rust inside the red circle. Also, note the arrow. Everyone thought this accumulator tank needed replacing. Truth is not only the tank needed replacing, but the pump to the right of the accumulator tank needed replacing or rebuilding. The 12mm mechanical seal was leaking on the AC saltwater pump. The spacer/shield on the pump axle was slinging saltwater onto the accumulator tank in an undetectable very light spray.



Cracked and leaking exhaust hose
Low C-Drive oil








 Dangerous knot
In-boom bungee was incorrectly rigged outside the boom








C-Drive seals were sealed with a spray-on foam. This is very, very wrong!

The surveyor did not comment on this, nor did he ask any questions. 
This is a closeup of the Hydraulic Propeller Shaft Brake.

 Can you find the wood clothespin used as a shim on the hydraulic ram to the brake caliper on the shaft brake? Can you also find the baling wire with some green paint on it? This photo was taken after the accredited surveyor checked the boat and found basically nothing.


This is a Mizzen Sheet Traveler Car with an end made out of JB Weld. The ball bearings were falling out.



Surveyor guidance by me during a Pre-Purchase Review and prior to the survey.









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