While I spent Saturday in the New Jersey/New York area, my heart was overseas in Greece. For that’s where the 105-year-old Madiz was feted for quite a special achievement: becoming the oldest surviving steel vessel to be classed X100A1 by Lloyd’s Register. This is the highest classification level the society offers, so it’s understandable why the Keletsekis family of Greece, who had her undergo a laborious refit that wrapped up last year, celebrated with various invited guests, including representatives of Lloyd’s.
I’ve been corresponding with the family for a little more than a year now, getting updates on the restoration, and their pride came shining through their e-mails. It took three years to bring Madiz back to top-level condition. Even though her original steel was in good shape for her age, extensive internal and external replating was still necessary. Much of her teak decking and interior wood paneling (Cuban mahogany in the master, oak in reception areas) also needed restoration. Equipment such as her main engines, propellers, and windlass were overhauled, while a completely new electrical system and new tanks were put in place.
On Saturday invited guests (of which I was one, hence my heart being overseas) were welcome to tour Madiz to see her renewed grandeur. If you’d like to know what it feels like to be aboard such a historic yacht, check out this video, which the Keletsekis family produced:
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