The Amel 55 2012 vs Amel 60 2019 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Amel 60 2019 measures 62,4 feet overall (2019), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Amel 55 2012 at 56,1 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Amel 60 2019 tips the scales at 59 525 lbs — 1 103 lbs less than the Amel 55 2012 at 58 422 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 180 hp, the Amel 60 2019 has a 70-hp advantage over the Amel 55 2012's 110-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 238 gal and 238 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Amel 60 2019 is rated for 19 passengers, while the Amel 55 2012 caps at 17. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Amel 60 2019 could be the deciding factor.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 58 422 lbs for the Amel 55 2012 and 59 525 lbs for the Amel 60 2019. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,2 ft and 7,8 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Amel 55 2012 is rigged as a Fractional Sloop while the Amel 60 2019 carries Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. For auxiliary power the Amel 60 2019 carries a 180-hp engine against 110 hp on the Amel 55 2012. 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 10,0 knots for the Amel 60 2019 and 9,4 knots for the Amel 55 2012.
Bottom line: The Amel 60 2019 at 62,4 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Amel 55 2012 at 56,1 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.