RALF POWELL, CAPTAIN OF THE SAILING YACHT NAOS
Likewise, the yacht has undergone regular maintenance works to get it ready for the new season: hull, painting, teak deck…
Captain Ralf Powell had never been at Varador 2000. He arrived in Arenys de Mar (Barcelona) aboard sailing yacht Naos attracted by the yard’s good references and reputation. After six months, he leaves the yard extremely satisfied with the works carried out. “The yacht is ready to sail across the globe”, he guarantees.
During the six months that Naos stayed at Varador 2000 it underwent works of great magnitude: “the yacht’s generators and main engine have been rebuilt and improvements have been made to the shaft, the propeller and the boom” says the captain. He also adds: “I believe that for the next five years we will not have to service these elements of the yacht”.
Powell has also taken advantage of the long stay at Varador 2000 to carry out maintenance works on the hull – underwater hull and antifouling – and to “sand, paint and apply anti-slip product on the teak deck, in addition to carry out other minor maintenance tasks to prepare the yacht for the new season”. Since its launch in 1992, almost 25 years ago, Naos has undergone two important refits, this was the third. This 32,28-metre long sailing yacht was built by CCYD and is for private use. The hull, designed by Ron Holland Design, is completely made of aluminium.
Six months in Arenys de Mar with crew
The New Zealand captain of Naos positively values Varador 2000’s repair and refit facilities and the high level of technical standards of its professionals and of the companies that work on the yard’s premises. In addition to the technical and professional standards “the yard’s location and surroundings have also been very important to us”, says Powell, who had never visited the coast north of Barcelona, which he loved. During the six months that Naos spent at the yard, the captain and the three-member crew rented a house in Arenys de Mar.
“We were really happy in Arenys. It is a small, calm, comfortable town. The only inconvenient – he jokes – is that the members of my crew are very young and they get bored of so much peace, especially during the winter. However – he says – being so close to Barcelona is a great advantage”. The captain, who during his long professional career has visited yards across the globe, guarantees that if the yacht is in European waters when the next refit is due he will come back to Varador 2000.
