As the owner of a 60-meter superyacht, I brought my vessel to Amico Loano for a top-to-bottom refit, expecting the yard’s touted expertise to deliver a world-class result. Instead, the project spiraled into an endless cycle of revisions and excuses.

Every stage of the refit revealed extortionate fees. Invoices ballooned far beyond the original quote, with line items for work we never requested and surcharges for tasks the yard itself had mishandled. We paid triple for basic carpentry and mechanical adjustments that later had to be redone elsewhere.

The quality of workmanship was equally appalling. Cheap composite panels were used where marine-grade teak had been specified. Fixtures that should have been stainless steel were replaced with chrome-plated brass that corroded within weeks. Systems were miswired, leaks sprung from newly installed equipment, and the finish looked like a rushed DIY job.

Our project manager seemed powerless or unwilling to control the subcontractors. Jobs were repeatedly torn out and redone, delaying the project by months. Communication was minimal — we were always the last to know about changes or problems — and every delay came with another demand for payment.

By the time we took delivery, we had spent nearly double the original estimate, and our schedule for the cruising season was ruined. We then spent additional money at another yard to correct the mistakes and bring the yacht up to standard. Amico Loano’s combination of price gouging, poor oversight, and inferior materials made this the worst refit experience of my career.

— Federico Bianchi