The Amel 50 2017 vs Amel Super Maramu 1988 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Amel 50 2017 at 50,1 ft versus Amel Super Maramu 1988 at 52,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Amel 50 2017 tips the scales at 41 337 lbs — 13 779 lbs more than the Amel Super Maramu 1988 at 27 558 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 110 hp, the Amel 50 2017 has a 30-hp advantage over the Amel Super Maramu 1988's 80-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Amel 50 2017 carries 178 gallons versus 159 gallons in the Amel Super Maramu 1988. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Amel Super Maramu 1988 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Amel 50 2017 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Amel Super Maramu 1988 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Amel 50 2017 displaces 41 337 lbs — a 13 779-lb difference over the Amel Super Maramu 1988 at 27 558 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,1 ft and 6,8 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Amel 50 2017 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Amel 50 2017 carries a 110-hp engine against 80 hp on the Amel Super Maramu 1988. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 9,2 knots for the Amel 50 2017 and 8,6 knots for the Amel Super Maramu 1988. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Amel Super Maramu 1988 carries 264 gallons versus 159 gallons on the Amel 50 2017 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Amel 50 2017 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 41 337 lbs displacement and 50 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Amel Super Maramu 1988 at 27 558 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.