The image depicts four individuals on a sailboat, seated on the deck, with a serene body of water and a vibrant sunset in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility.
The image depicts a serene scene of a white sailboat docked at a marina, with a clear blue sky and distant mountains in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility.
The image depicts a white sailboat with two men on board, one standing at the helm and the other leaning over the side, set against a marina backdrop.
The image shows a man working on a boat mast, wearing a white tank top, shorts, and gloves, with a blue sky and boats in the background.
The image shows three people working on a boat in a marina, wearing masks and gloves, with a large white boat in the background and a blue sky above.
The image shows the interior of a boat, featuring a wooden floor and walls, with a table and chairs in the background, and a large window on the left side.
The image depicts a man engaged in boat repair on a dock, wearing safety gear and utilizing tools to work on the vessel\'s metal structure.
The image depicts a man standing on a boat, working on a metal structure, while a woman observes from the deck, surrounded by tools and cluttered storage.
The image shows a woman on a boat, wearing a green shirt and orange scarf, with a body of water and mountains in the background on a sunny day.
The image shows a boat with a white hull and a brown wooden deck, featuring a large cabin and a small cabin, with a mast and rigging, set against a body of water.
The image depicts a cluttered workshop or storage room with a wooden floor, featuring various tools and equipment, including a workbench, shelves, and a ladder, in a dimly lit environment.
The image depicts a man and woman in a kitchen, with the woman tossing a pancake and the man holding a blue container, both wearing warm winter attire.
updated  

Help us refit a sailboat to conduct marine research in Faro, Portugal

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    27 Jul 2025

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    100.0 %

    Usually responds within 7 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    3

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    Email verified

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    UPDATE: we relocated the boat to Faro, Portugal! We are currently taking a break and will be able to host again in early spring 2026.

    We'll try to answer every message, please forgive delays as we are quite busy and receive many requests. Thanks for your understanding 😊

    ***

    We (Nico, Belgium & Julia, Spain) are currently renovating a 51ft (16m) aluminium schooner (built 1983) to conduct marine environmental research.

    In 2023/2024 we replaced the standing rigging and did important transformations to the deck. In autumn 2024 we placed the windows and disassembled the lifting keel. In 2025 we rebuilt the keel and the steering, installed water systems, and completed the outside work. We then sailed the boat on her maiden journey out of the Mediterranean.

    Nico is a sailor and environmental scientist specialised in ecosystem restoration. Julia is a molecular biologist specialised in proteomics as well as an artist and science illustrator.

    We have already hosted more than twenty volunteers on this project, and hope many are still to join!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    DIY and building projects
  • Interests

    Interests

    Politics / Social justice
    Self development
    Sustainability
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Books
    Cooking & food
    Drawing & painting
    Plant care
    Music
    Sailing / Boating
    Outdoor activities
    Hiking
    Fitness
    Camping
    Adventure sports
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We will be happy to teach you about boat renovation (rigging, metal & wood work, systems, electrics,...) . If you have sailing experience we are happy to practise and improve on this together.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for help with many tasks including painting,insulation, carpentry, placing cables and pipes.

    We welcome anyone with or without experience who feels comfortable helping on a boat around noisy tools and machines. We also welcome your creative thoughts for designing a brand new boat. You'll have loads of autonomy on your own tasks if you have building experience, or we'll guide you step by step if not.

    We typically work mornings (8 am until 1pm) with stops for coffee breaks. We expect you to help with boat building 5h per day from Monday to Friday, plus the occasional extra shared help with household chores (cooking, cleaning up, perhaps some help bringing back groceries).

    We are asking for a minimal/initial stay of two weeks, and if it feels right you are welcome to stay longer too.

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Norwegian bokmål: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    The sailboat is both our working place, living place and sleeping quarters. We have one stern cabin for volunteers, accommodating two max (suitable for one person or for a couple), as well as a saloon bunk, accomodating one person. Please be aware that there will be very little privacy, the cabin walls are only temporary and the doors are not built yet.

    We are both vegan, and put great effort in cooking. We'll provide vegan breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We expect you to take part in cooking and help with the daily chores.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We typically take 2 volunteers at a time, and we look forward to meet people from all over the world.

    However we will only take volunteers who can travel to and from us using low emission transport (train, bus, etc...). We are committed to keep the carbon budget of the project as low as practically possible. Travel to the boat is one of the largest potential emission sources, so we encourage you to do the right thing in this climate emergency and embrace slow travel!

    We play the piano, the guitar and sing. Musicians are warmly welcome.

    Please also note that we only accept non-smokers.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 918398629454

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Photos

The image depicts a serene scene of a white sailboat docked at a marina, with a clear blue sky and distant mountains in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility.
The image depicts a white sailboat with two men on board, one standing at the helm and the other leaning over the side, set against a marina backdrop.
The image shows a man working on a boat mast, wearing a white tank top, shorts, and gloves, with a blue sky and boats in the background.
The image shows three people working on a boat in a marina, wearing masks and gloves, with a large white boat in the background and a blue sky above.
The image shows the interior of a boat, featuring a wooden floor and walls, with a table and chairs in the background, and a large window on the left side.
The image depicts a man engaged in boat repair on a dock, wearing safety gear and utilizing tools to work on the vessel\'s metal structure.
The image depicts a man standing on a boat, working on a metal structure, while a woman observes from the deck, surrounded by tools and cluttered storage.
The image shows a woman on a boat, wearing a green shirt and orange scarf, with a body of water and mountains in the background on a sunny day.
 Show all photos
The image shows a boat with a white hull and a brown wooden deck, featuring a large cabin and a small cabin, with a mast and rigging, set against a body of water.
The image depicts a cluttered workshop or storage room with a wooden floor, featuring various tools and equipment, including a workbench, shelves, and a ladder, in a dimly lit environment.
The image depicts a man and woman in a kitchen, with the woman tossing a pancake and the man holding a blue container, both wearing warm winter attire.
The image depicts four individuals on a sailboat, seated on the deck, with a serene body of water and a vibrant sunset in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility.

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