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Early Meltems

The Amel Meltem was built by the Amel yard in La Rochelle, France from 1974 to 1979.

The Meltem, at 16m long, was a big step up for the yard and was by far the biggest yacht at the time. The other models, Kirk and Euros, were at 11.35m and 12m.

Henri Amel wanted to design the most practical – and most advanced – ocean going sailing yacht, yet easy to sail for a couple. The yard produced 51 Meltems between 1974 and 1979. The result was a beauty. But she nearly bankrupted the yard. It was too expensive to build.

This photo was taken in Tahiti after Henri Amel sailed from La Rochelle to Tahiti, via the Panama Canal, to deliver his Meltem to a friend. It was called the “Croisieres des cocotiers” (= the coconuts cruise, and that meant sail West toward the coconuts, where the warm water is)

Maya Picasso, daughter of Pablo Picasso, loved to sail and Pablo Picasso created paintings for her:

Maya Picasso bought one of the early Meltems. That boat was recently traced to the Island of La Reunion.