Mate / Engineer - Permanent - €3000 - 8000 - Spain
⚓ Handyman & Boatbuilder Wanted: The Ultimate Trade on the Rio Guadiana
• No direct salary,but..: Ownership of your own fully equipped sailing vessel.
• Location: Sanlúcar de Guadiana (Spain) / Alcoutim (Portugal) Border
• Base Vessel: Joshua (Your temporary home)
• Project Vessel: Nuria (A 45-50’ Swedish Ketch)
The Reality Check
I am activating a multi-boat sailing and adventure project (The Ark's Project) from the beautiful River Guadiana. My ultimate goal is to find other Captains to partner with and sail on offshore diving expeditions to Madeira and further. Not to mention... to be ready to leave Europe totally, if they decide to go to war with Russia.
The bottleneck? Nuria, who is the biggest and best expedition boat in the fleet, is mid-refit and needs physical work before she is ready for a Captain or a crew. Finding one person who is both an expert shipwright and a commercial offshore captain is proving too complicated.
So, I am changing tactics. I need a handyman, woodworker, or DIY boat-builder a.s.a.p. to help me put Nuria in order.
The Deal (No Cash, Pure Asset)
Let’s be very clear from the beginning: This is not a weekly paycheck gig. If you need steady money for this spring or summer, this is not for you.
Instead, this is a lifestyle trade and a massive opportunity for someone who wants to own their own fully equipped sailing vessel without the financial barrier:
The Work: You come here immediately and help me finish Nuria’s interior refit, getting her ship-shape and ready to sail. I expect that you work with me at least 6 hours per day (Morning: 10:00–13:00 / Afternoon: 16:00–19:00).
• ⛵ The Living Situation: You will live onboard my main boat, Joshua, anchored in the stunning, peaceful waters of the Rio Guadiana. You will have a really nice, private aft cabin to yourself and, if you want, your own dinghy or kayak. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can live directly on the boat you plan to take over.
• The Payment: In exchange for your work, dedication, and expertise in helping me finish Nuria, I will give you one of my other boats to keep as your own. Depending on your skills and how much time you want to invest, you can choose between:
◦ ⛵ Veladare (Colvic Atlantic 26’, value approx. €3,000) — Requires roughly 5 weeks of dedicated work to earn.
◦ ⛵ Amina (Rival 34, value approx. €8,000) — Requires roughly 18 weeks (approx. 4.5 months) of dedicated work to earn.
You risk a few months of your time and labor; you will walk away as a boat owner with a home on the water in one of the best, safest, cheapest, and most beautiful river moorings in the world. (Full contract details and milestone protections will be agreed upon upfront before you travel).
What is Required
• Skills: You must be "handy." I need someone comfortable with tools, woodworking, basic mechanics, and fiberglass. If you’ve worked on boats or off-grid projects before, that's a huge plus.
• Mindset: Independent, cooperative, and self-motivated.
• Availability: Ready to pack a bag and get here as soon as possible. The day Nuria sails toward Madeira, our prime deal is over and done with.
Long-Term Potential
If it turns out you are also a competent sailor, there is absolutely a conversation to be had later about becoming the partner/Skipper for Nuria’s offshore trips (operating on a 40/40/20 profit split).
Alternatively, you can join the Ark’s project fleet with your new boat—at the very least, Amina (the Rival 34) is fully capable of handling Atlantic trips with 3–4 guests on board.
But right now? We focus on the wood, the tools, and getting the boat ready.
Interested?
To Apply: Send me a message detailing your practical/handyman skills, your experience with tools or boats, and why you are currently free to drop everything for an adventure and a trade like this.
Cheers,
Claes
Close