East Med Flotilla Mechanic job with Neilsen/Sunsail etc

[NickRobinson]

These jobs pop up at this time of year in my job search inbox.

eg

http://www.greatjobsinengineering.c...chanic-Marine-Engineer-Greece-Turkey-Location (other agencies available!)

Any one done it? Or experience as a customer of their services? They're cagey about pay.

Old posts here suggest mechanic has more flexibility than skipper/leader (and I don't have a commercial endorsement)

I tick the essential/desirables but I don't see myself doing beach karaoke at 3 am.... (often )

Reading between the lines, is it only suitable for a gap year/recently graduated party animal?

Nick

 

[NornaBiron]

Never done it, but from talking to flotilla crews that we have worked with in the past, the starting pay is not good.

 

[duncan99210]

I've met both the party animal/gap year student and the older person doing jobs with flotillas. The "social" side of flotillas (leaders, hosts) are better suited to the younger ones, whilst the mechanics are often somewhat more mature/experienced folks who have an in depth understanding of how the boats and engines work and how to fix them.
The pay is not great, the job is seasonal and very hard work, as the customers are often complete novices who break things in imaginative ways. On the other hand, the social life is great, the weather is good and there's always the chance of tips to help,out the income. Most flotillas have a fairly set itinerary, following the same circuit throughout the summer and the local bars and restaurants all look after the flotilla crews, who bring them much of their business.
Hope that helps.

 

[vyv_cox]

My son Owen has been both engineer and skipper with Sunsail in Greece and Turkey. Never made a great deal of money, had a great time and made a remarkable number of contacts. Many people who work in these jobs go on to bigger and better things, so he subsequently found lots of work on superyachts and is still in touch with many yacht people all around the world.

 

[Noahsdad]

I worked as a skipper and engineer for Neilson and then Sunsail all over the Med and the Carribean.
While it's true the pay is poor you don't actually need any money in the Med as all food and beer comes gratis.
You get paid real money in the Carribean though the freebies aren't so easy to come by.
I found more mature people were quite common with both companies, with a smattering of early retired people.
Sunsail boats are newer (usually<5 years so not so much goes wrong with them).
The companies are much of a muchness though if you want to travel further than the Med Sunsail is the one to go for.
I had a fantastic time and even met my wife to be.

 

[NickRobinson]

I worked as a skipper and engineer for Neilson and then Sunsail all over the Med and the Carribean.
While it's true the pay is poor you don't actually need any money in the Med as all food and beer comes gratis.
You get paid real money in the Carribean though the freebies aren't so easy to come by.
I found more mature people were quite common with both companies, with a smattering of early retired people.
Sunsail boats are newer (usually<5 years so not so much goes wrong with them).
The companies are much of a muchness though if you want to travel further than the Med Sunsail is the one to go for.
I had a fantastic time and even met my wife to be.

Really useful- what would an avg. day look like? I guess the accom. is basic/shared/afloat? Any opportunities to NGBs or other tickets?

N

 

[Heckler]

Really useful- what would an avg. day look like? I guess the accom. is basic/shared/afloat? Any opportunities to NGBs or other tickets?

N

We used to go with a well known flot company. They had old maxis with a dog kennel in the back, the mechanic we got to know lived in one all season, good lad. There was a young, blond, large chested person on one of the boats. It was quite obvious what she wanted!
One evening he succumbed, mam and dad were happy drinking and eating at the taverna, the dancing started, the lights dimmed, the happy couple were spotted going back to the Maxi! They were back within half an hour, happy!
Stu