Marco and Eduarda, whose boat is currently based in the Portimão area, are looking for people with practical skills to assist with painting, carpentry, electrical repairs and general maintenance.

In exchange, volunteers will receive a private cabin and three meals a day, with a minimum stay of one week.

The opportunity has been advertised through Workaway, an international platform connecting travellers with hosts offering accommodation in exchange for assistance with projects.

The vessel, a traditional wooden sailing ship built approximately 68 years ago, has already spent years travelling around the world.

Marco and his son Mathies previously sailed for around a decade before settling in Portugal. The family is now preparing the boat for another extended journey.

Major restoration begins in November

The ship is scheduled to enter dry dock on November 16 for its annual maintenance programme.

During this period, volunteers will help prepare the vessel for its return to the water, with work expected to continue until January 2027.

The planned tasks include sanding and painting the hull, repairing equipment and preparing the masts and bowsprit for removal.

Other work will involve the rudder, propeller, electrical connections and systems essential for operating the boat safely.

Marco, a carpenter by trade, is also offering volunteers the opportunity to learn about sailing, navigation and traditional wooden boat maintenance.

The couple are particularly interested in people with experience in carpentry, painting, construction, engineering, electrical work or marine maintenance.

However, professional qualifications are not essential for every task. Applicants who are comfortable with practical work and willing to learn are also welcome.

The hosts describe the arrangement as a cultural exchange, combining hands-on restoration work with the opportunity to learn skills from an experienced sailor and craftsman.

What is included in the stay?

Volunteers will live aboard the vessel rather than needing to arrange separate accommodation in Portimão.

According to the hosts, each participant will have a private cabin, with shared access to two bathrooms, hot showers, a fully equipped kitchen and communal living areas.

The ship also has heating for cooler weather, electricity, running water and entertainment facilities, including a projector for watching films.

Three daily meals are provided.

Internet access is available through the hosts’ mobile connection, although connectivity may be limited.

Participants will also be expected to contribute to everyday life aboard, including cleaning communal areas, keeping equipment organised and helping prepare meals.

The group may consist of approximately seven people, depending on the number of volunteers staying aboard.

Marco and Eduarda prefer applicants aged 25 or older and ask for a minimum commitment of seven days.

The opportunity is best suited to people comfortable sharing relatively confined living spaces and participating in a structured maintenance programme.

Plans for an Atlantic crossing

Once the restoration is complete, the couple hope to return the vessel to the water in mid-January 2027.

Their longer-term ambition is to sail across the Atlantic, visiting Brazil and the Caribbean with Mathies and other crew members.

The journey would continue the family’s previous experience of long-distance sailing.

However, volunteers joining the current maintenance project are not automatically offered places on the planned voyage.

The immediate opportunity is based in the Algarve and focuses on preparing the boat for future sailing.

Before the ship enters dry dock, participants may also have opportunities to experience life aboard while the vessel remains afloat, depending on conditions and the hosts’ arrangements.

How to apply

Interested applicants can find the opportunity through Workaway by searching for the traditional wooden sailing ship hosted by Marco and Eduarda in the Portimão area.

The platform allows prospective volunteers to review the hosts’ profile, check availability and contact them directly.

Workaway arrangements are generally based on an exchange of assistance for accommodation and meals rather than a salary. Participants should confirm the expected working hours, tasks and conditions before accepting a placement.

Travellers arriving from outside the European Union should also check whether their immigration status permits the proposed activities in Portugal.

For those interested in traditional boats, practical restoration work and communal living, the project offers an opportunity to spend time aboard a working sailing vessel while helping prepare it for another chapter at sea.

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