Maintenance at Cala d'Or

[MikeA]

We moved our boat to Cala d'Or last November, mainly for a change of scene having enjoyed our time at Portals for the last 4 years. Not knowing any of the maintenance companies there, I've struggled a little to organise this year's maintenance (should've been more organised!). Initially relying on email and failing to get responses, we were there at the end of March but the couple of companies I spoke to said they're pretty much booked up until early June. The marina were very apologetic about failing to respond to emails and mentioned that they're happy for owners to carry out maintenance on their own boats. However, Shore Marine who run the yard as far as I can tell, have indicated that's not an option. The boat will be 20 next year and I'll need to arrange a survey for insurance purposes, so I was hoping to get a few jobs done this year; new engine room extinguisher, replace seacocks, upgrade bow thruster, plus a few odd tasks etc., but am now thinking to just get it lifted for anodes and antifoul and then lift again at the end of the season for engine service (last done last August) and the numerous odd jobs. I'm still hopeful that Shore Marine may be able to arrange a lift out and do the antifouling/anodes prior to June but having a plan B would be good.

I know there are quite a few forumites in Cala d'Or and just wondered who you're all using for maintenance. I've had a recommendation from Aquatom for someone who'll hopefully do the bow-thruster work, so I'll pursue that further. Also, any recommendations for a cleaner? We're not really looking for full guardianage as I tend to visit the boat every 4-5 weeks through the winter and more often during the season, but I really miss having the boat washed regularly and cleaned for each visit.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Steruth1]

Hi Mike

Have you tried Nick from boats.co.uk but I know he is flat out at the moment, but he can do most things inc cleaning.

or
Try a guy called Raul, he's pretty helpful and lives 2 mins from the marina.

Pm me and I will let you have his details if you want them.

 

[volvopaul]

Sounds like I need to make a move to sunnier climes.

 

[MikeA]

Go for it, happy to be your first customer

 

[MikeA]

Thanks Steruth1, pm sent...

 

[DougH]

Mike PM sent

Doug

 

[Brenny]

Hi Mike - I have just bought a boat and I am in Cala D'Or - we use Carl Hadwin (Ocea D'Or) - he looked after another boat we had in Cala D'Or 5 years ago . We have had boats for 20 years all around Spain - Carl is the best I have used

 

[alt]

Sorry I can't assist, but have I got it right that the yard are saying you cannot work on your own boat? Or when you say that do you mean no outside contractors?

 

[MikeA]

Sorry I can't assist, but have I got it right that the yard are saying you cannot work on your own boat? Or when you say that do you mean no outside contractors?

When I asked the lady in the marina office, she explained that Shore Marine now run their yard so if I ask the marina to lift and antifoul, it will be SM who do the work. She also said I was free to arrange a lift with the marina and then carry out my own maintenance myself and, if I opted to use any outside contractors, they would need to show PL insurance before carrying out any work if the marina were not familiar with the contractor - all more than fair and less restrictive than many marinas. However, when I received a quote from SM for lift and antifoul, the email mentioned owners are not permitted to work on their own boat, perhaps they're being a little economical with the truth or perhaps they're actually correct and the lady was wrong, although I suspect it's the former! Either way, I need to get back out there and try and move things as email and phone calls are difficult if you don't speak Spanish, which is understandable!

 

[MikeA]

Hi Mike - I have just bought a boat and I am in Cala D'Or - we use Carl Hadwin (Ocea D'Or) - he looked after another boat we had in Cala D'Or 5 years ago . We have had boats for 20 years all around Spain - Carl is the best I have used

Thanks Brenny, Carl's also been recommended by someone else via PM, as have a couple of others. I'm hoping to pop out during the next week and meet with those who've been suggested, hopefully there's still time to get the boat lifted and work carried out prior to June.

Really grateful for the suggestions received here and via PM
Thanks
Mike

 

[PEJ]

Mike, ask in the marina office to arrange a meet up with Paul who owns Shore Marine. He is from Belfast so speaks English. They are now renting the workshops from the marina and are the "official" contractor for the marina. Paul was telling me that things are going to have to change in the yards because they have contractors working there and no-one knows who they are or what insurance they have. From now on they must register with the marina and show proof of insurance.

He seems like a very switched on guy both from the boat knowledge and business savvy point of view. I am would have thought that he will not mind you working on your own boat, he will just want to know who you are.

 

[MikeA]

Hi PEJ,

Funnily enough, I received an email from Paul today, following up from the other email they'd sent. His said that they'd prefer owners don't carry 'underwater works such as anti-fouling', of course the list of jobs I'd sent such as anti-foul, anodes, skin fittings, seacocks, bowthruster upgrade, leak on one of the bolts on the planing assist thingy on the transom are all under water jobs. To be fair, it wasn't an absolute no and he did say owners could do other small jobs themselves. They've just taken over the yard and who can blame them for wanting to run it as professionally as possible and build their business. I don't particularly want to do the work myself but am prepared to, if it's the only way to get it done this side of June - I'm quite happy to have someone else do the work and supervise from Smugglers I'm flying out tomorrow so hopefully all will work out.

Cheers
Mike