2005 Oyster 54 vs 2014 Amel 55 — Comparison
2005 Oyster 54
2014 Amel 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Oyster 54 | 2014 Amel 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Amel |
| Year | 2005–2012 | 2014–2021 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | France |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Olivier Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.70 m (44.9 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.60 m (15.1 ft) | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 19,000 kg (41,888 lbs) | 19,500 kg (42,990 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 130 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 420 L (111.0 gal) | 580 L (153.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 750 L (198.1 gal) | 780 L (206.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Oyster 54 and 2014 Amel 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Oyster 54 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 2014 Amel 55 is a modern offering from Amel from France. The 2005 Oyster 54 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 2014 Amel 55 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 2005 Oyster 54 measures 16.46m (54.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.60m, compared to the 2014 Amel 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.75m beam. The 2014 Amel 55 is 0.34m longer than the 2005 Oyster 54. The 2014 Amel 55 displaces approximately 3% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2005 Oyster 54 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 120.0 m² of sail area. The 2014 Amel 55, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Oyster 54 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2005 Oyster 54 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2014 Amel 55 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 2005 Oyster 54 and 34.9% for the 2014 Amel 55, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2005 Oyster 54 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 750L of water capacity and 420L of fuel. The 2014 Amel 55 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 780L water and 580L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Oyster 54 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2005 Oyster 54 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Oyster 54 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.