In May 2023, I brought my 20-meter sloop to Amico Loano for a standard deck resanding and resealing job. The teak was 7 years old but in good condition – it just needed new caulking and surface sanding.

What I got instead was a disaster. When I returned three weeks later, the teak surface had uneven sanding marks, some boards were visibly gouged, and the black caulking lines were poorly filled – in several places, the seams were already cracking.

Even worse: the starboard lazarette hatch wasn’t properly resealed. During the first heavy rain, I found water had leaked into the battery compartment. The stainless hinges had been reinstalled crooked, and one screw was even sticking out at an angle.

I reported all this to the yard, and their reply was that I “should check with my crew” – implying we might have caused the issues ourselves. I was speechless.

I ended up paying another €7,500 in Antibes to rework the entire starboard side. Amico Loano offered nothing – no refund, no apology.

Avoid them if you value your deck or your dignity.