Message: 1 June 2009

From: Denis and Sadie Wilkins – Yacht Graceful

We have just wintered up on the hard in Sotogrande. After a written and signed quote from themselves, of 3,750 Euro’s for 3 months, any extra time would be pro rata. This was for a 54-foot Yacht.

After having stayed for 4 months in total, we came to launch the boat and we had to pay over 8,000 Euro’s before they would launch us. They charged us 1000 euro’s for elec and water even though we were not plugged in or living on board.

When we complained to the yards manager boss Eli (?) she said the electricity problem is one that they have had for 20 years since she has been working there, you are charged it whether or not you use it.

When I argued the point, he told me to go and see my lawyer or police if I was not satisfied. Hence I had no choice to pay before they launched me. If I wanted to stay on the dock for 1 night that would be 120 euro per night.

Their argument is that we didn’t sign the original quote. That is a real cop-out as they never asked us to sign it and there is no place for us to sign on the document.

We have been in Gibraltar for the last 4 weeks waiting for parts, and so many people or coming in from Sotogrande with the same stories as us.

I would not recommend this marina to anyone unless they want to be ripped off in a big way. I feel that any poor unassuming cruiser that is living on a budget, having to pay more than 4000 euros than originally quoted could put an end to his/her sailing time.

Noonsite Says: Puerto Sotogrande was contacted for an opportunity to comment about this complaint, however, they failed to respond to emails.

Message: 10 June 2009

From: John Fesel

I recently made the mistake of hauling out in this port (May 2009).

The intention was to copper coat my 14m yacht. The painter who has the concession in the yard gave me a reasonable price and after a few days in the yard, sandblasted off my antifoul, as a prelude to repairing minor defects and applying 3 coats of epoxy primer. This was to be followed by the copper coat treatment. Two weeks after the sandblasting I was still waiting for ANY other work to commence and was being told “tomorrow” on a daily basis.

Eventually, I was forced to apply a coat of anti-foul and sail to Lagos Portugal where the boat has just been lifted and the work has just been started.

The Sotogrande yard is badly managed, filthy, dirty and NOT very helpful.

I would urge any yacht owner to avoid hauling in Sotogrande.

The difference in Lagos at the Sopromar yard is a breath of fresh air.

I have no shares in Sopromar and no family connections but would recommend it to anyone.!!