The Amel 55 2012 vs Amel Sharki 1979 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 55 2012 measures 56,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 15,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Amel Sharki 1979 at 41,0 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Amel 55 2012 tips the scales at 58 422 lbs — 37 037 lbs more than the Amel Sharki 1979 at 21 385 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 55 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Amel Sharki 1979's 50-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 55 2012 carries 238 gallons versus 90 gallons in the Amel Sharki 1979. 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 55 2012 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Amel Sharki 1979 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Amel 55 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Amel 55 2012 displaces 58 422 lbs — a 37 037-lb difference over the Amel Sharki 1979 at 21 385 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.

Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Amel 55 2012 draws 7,2 ft, compared to 6,1 ft for the Amel Sharki 1979. That 1,1-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.

The Amel 55 2012 is rigged as a Fractional Sloop while the Amel Sharki 1979 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 55 2012 carries a 110-hp engine against 50 hp on the Amel Sharki 1979. 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 9,4 knots for the Amel 55 2012 and 7,6 knots for the Amel Sharki 1979. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Amel 55 2012 carries 211 gallons versus 198 gallons on the Amel Sharki 1979 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.