Dear Chuck,

Sorry, been busy with business related issue (almost done), so just going to echo what Mark wrote so that you have more feedback, sorry not to elaborate.

90% of the time I single hand and no issue. Even having a tendency to reef a little too late, always good.
Sure the wind will either be your friend or opponent when docking solo.

Never though it is too big.

Because of my work, I stay in marinas, I usually pay around $600/month (there was exceptions), will be happy to share which price and where I paid.

Sure the larger the vessel the more expensive will be the maintenance.
Standing or running rigging on the SM will be more than on the Santorin and Maramu

I spent 15 months in the Bahamas and draft was limiting, but not an issue.
In Grand Bahama I had to wait to be between low and mid tide to enter, no issue in the Berry, Nassau, Exumas, Turks & Caicos, etc.
but I decided to skip the Abacos because of the draft.

If I had to do it again, I would pick a newer SM2K, they have more batteries capacity, etc.

Sincerely, Alexandre
SM2K #289 NIKIMAT
Harbor View Marina, Tortola, BVI

--------------------------------------------
On Fri, 1/13/17, 'Mark Erdos' mcerdos@... [amelyachtowners] <amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Subject: RE: [Amel Yacht Owners] Introduction from Utah
To: amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, January 13, 2017, 12:22 PM

 

















Hi Chuck,

 

I have sailed our Amel single
handedly many times. People such as Kent and Alexandre can
speak to this better
than I, but I think the Amel is a breeze for a solo sailor.
One of the reasons
we purchased an Amel is either one of us can reef sails
single handedly and never
leave the cockpit. This is a huge safety factor when at sea.
I can sleep knowing
Cindy is safe in the cockpit and can adjust sails as needed.
This was also a
big comfort factor for her when considering which boat to
purchase. I would challenge
you to look at other designs of boats and ask yourself, how
easy is it for one
person to reef? In many cases, it is not
possible.

 

I have never thought our Amel
was too big. If fact, we think the opposite. Amel is so well
designed we do not
feel it is big at all. Some marinas and moorings in the USA
charge extra for
boats over 50'. We just say "see ya" and stay
elsewhere. We have
never been at a loss for a place to stay. For the most part,
businesses are
willing to take our money. You have probably noticed the
draft and mast height
are not Intracoastal friendly. But, if you want to travel
the eastern Intracoastal
Waterway buy a power boat (you are going to have to motor
the entire way anyway).
We have sailed eastern US and went outside. It is easier,
faster and in my
opinion much safer.

 

We recently sailed the Bahamas,
an area notorious for shallow waters. When we told other
cruisers we draw about
7' they give us the "oh my" face. If you are
looking for a shallow
draft boat, buy a cat. When you draw 2' you can get into
places off limits to
mono-hulls. IMO there is not much difference between a
6' draft and a 7' draft
when sailing shallow waters. A 7' foot draft usually
means you are just going
to run aground one minute before the 6' draft. For the
most part we try to stay
in 10', or more. In our entire Bahamas cruise, there
were only two places we
opted not to enter. We thought we were deep draft in the
Bahamas until we met
someone with a 9' draft. They had been to all the placed
we visited.

 

The real question you have to
ask yourself, is do you want a safe proven blue water
cruising boat, or
something else. We opted to purchase a boat that we knew
would take us anywhere
in the world with comfort and safety. If you start making
sacrifices such as
less draft or lower mast height, you are giving up some of
the characteristics
that make Amels awesome blue water cruisers.

 

 



With best regards,

 

Mark

 

Skipper

Sailing Yacht: Cream Puff

SM2K #275 - Currently cruising:
Key West, FL (stuck
waiting for weather!)

 

 

 

www.creampuff.us



 





From:
amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com]

Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 11:59 AM

To: amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com

Subject: RE: [Amel Yacht Owners] Introduction from
Utah





 

 







Hi All,



Thanks for taking the time
to respond in detail it helps
tremendously! Two quick questions. I have read of Monsieur
Amel's vision
regarding his design and light handed sailing. Have you ever
said to yourself
"This craft is too large for us" if so in what
aspect. Sailing,
maintenance, housekeeping, storage-haul out, slip fees. One
other question.
Have you ever said "I wish I had a shallower
draft". Has the draft of
the SM kept you away of spoiled your days? Do you have
regrets with either of
these. Do you just deal with it, embrace it or indifferent.
I know these are
basic questions but this will be our largest and deepest
draft boat to date.





 





Best Regards,





Chuck