Winter yacht maintenance: off-season employment

Winter at STP Palma is when the real work happens. While most people think the sector stops, the shipyards are flat out. It's my favourite time of the year.

The other side of the sector: October to April

When the charter season ends, hundreds of yachts enter shipyards and marinas for annual maintenance. This period generates thousands of jobs that many people don't know about. On Yemplea we publish maintenance offers year-round. If you have a technical profile, winter can be your best season.

What work is done?

• Mechanics: Engine overhauls, generators, hydraulic systems, watermakers
• Painting: Antifouling, hull touch-ups, teak varnishing
• Yacht carpentry: Teak deck repair, interior furniture
• Electrical: System upgrades, equipment installation
• Electronics: Radar, GPS, communications, entertainment systems
• Cleaning and detailing: Hull polishing, deep interior cleaning

Where employment is concentrated

• STP Palma: The largest yacht shipyard in the Mediterranean. 300+ yachts in winter. Hundreds of technical positions
• Barcelona: MB92, Marina Barcelona 92. Large superyachts
• Málaga: La Bajadilla shipyard. Growing market
• Tarragona: Port Tarraco. Emerging hub for medium yachts

Maintenance salaries

• Marine engineer: €2,500 – €4,000/month
• Marine painter: €1,800 – €2,500/month
• Yacht carpenter: €2,000 – €3,000/month
• Marine electrician: €2,200 – €3,500/month
• Detailer/polisher: €1,500 – €2,000/month

The perfect plan

Combine crew work in summer (May-October) with maintenance in winter (November-April). This way you work year-round in the sector you love, diversify your experience and increase your value as a professional. Check the technical certifications you need on Yemplea.