MACIEK PIEJKO, CAPTAIN OF THE MAXI CATAMARÁN OCEAN PEARL
The captain is planning to come back to the yard soon for the refit of another boat.
[singlepic id=729 w= h= float=none]
Abandoned in Qatar for the last eight years, the maxi catamaran Ocean Pearl, previously named Club Med, has returned to its original glory after spending a year and a half in the dry dock at Mataró Marina Barcelona, the maxi yacht marina managed by Varador 2000 in the port of Mataró. After many months of hard work, the technicians at Varador 2000 and the vessel’s own land team have left the vessel as good as new. The Ocean Pearl has undergone a complete refit, including hull repair and painting, rigging, internal woodworks, installation of new electronic and electric systems, and more components.
Carrying out all the work on this giant catamaran has not been an easy task. It is 33.50-metres long, boasts a 17.50-metre beam, a 41.50-metre mast and weighs 20 tons. As Captain Maciek Piejko explains, “at first we were going to carry out the repair works in Barcelona, but we didn’t like what we saw and we decided to relay on Varador 2000, a yard with very good references in the boating sector and well-known internationally. Additionally, it is located just a few miles from the capital”. The Captain has no regrets: “it has been a great choice. Varador 2000 boasts amazing premises and top class professionals, who have made the work of our technicians much easier; the truth is that we are very happy with the way things have worked out. After so many months of work the result is extremely positive”.
Piejko, a 48 years old Polish man, who has worked for over 20 years in the boating sector, 10 of which as professional captain, explains that he was the one who convinced the Qatari owner of the Ocean Pearl, “first I convinced him to buy the vessel and then to carry out the refit”. The completely renovated catamaran will remain moored at the Mataró Marina Barcelona until next summer and then “it will probably be sold for private use; I doubt it will compete again” says the Captain, who is convinced that soon he will need to relay once again on Varador 2000’s services: “the owner is planning on renovating another boat and we will most likely bring it here, considering the excellent experience we have had with the Ocean Pearl”.
The maxi catamaran Ocean Pearl is an international prize-winning race vessel. It has won twice The Race, a round the world sailing race: first in the 2000 edition under the name Club Med, when the race started in Barcelona and finished in Marseilles; and the second time, in 2004, under the name Doha 2006, in that occasion, the race started and finished in Qatar. Additionally, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, it broke the world speed record for crossing the Atlantic from east to west – the first two under the name Club Med and the latter as Maiden II.
Built in 2000 in the Multiplast de Vannes yard (Brittany, France), the Ocean Pearl is completely made from carbon fibre. Developed by the team of designers of naval architect Giller Ollier, this multihull can reach a 40 knot cruising speed. “It is a very light, fast boat, but also boasts great stability” ensures Piejko, who is eager to equip it with new sails and test it in the waters off the Maresme coast. The Ocean Pearl has six cabins and can accommodate twelve, six crew members and six guests.
During the months of the refit of the Ocean Pearl, Maciek Piejko lived in a rented apartment in Mataró, where he regularly received the visit of his family. “I love this whole area, it is incredibly beautiful, the weather is excellent and it offers good quality life”. No wonder he wishes to come back soon to carry out a complete refit on another boat.
