We are sailing from the Med to join the ARC and thought we would pass on an update from our experience in Gibraltar, where we had our engine repaired, rig work is done, a generator supplied/fitted and some sail repairs and a new cruising chute snuffer made.

We used Sheppards for the major work and we were generally very impressed with the quality of work, so would recommend their engineering, fitting and rigging work.

However, their lift facilities are via a cargo crane in the commercial docks, operated by the local stevedores. They lift boats out of the water and place them on the travel lift, which then moves the boat across the dock to place it in the storage area. This “temporary” arrangement has been in place for about 3 years, I think, with the intention ultimately of building a dock for the travel lift on the other side of the airport – but there is still no sign of that dock actually being built.

Although they work OK, the boat got very dirty during the process and during its period on the hard. Not only that, the boat was broken into and a lot of equipment (mainly non-nautical electronics and fishing equipment) was stolen, for which of course, no-one will take responsibility.

For the sail work, we found Dave Latham of Atlantic Charters (0035020052540 or mobile 0034664671268, dave@atlanticcharters.co.uk) who has a sail repair shop in Ocean Village and uses a sail loft in Malaga for major repairs and new builds. He was impressive for being responsive and reliable (not easy traits to find!).

Mervyn Gutteridge
SY Aztec Dream (Jeanneau SO45)