Boat Builder

Red Chilli Recruitment; Winchester; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Winchester-based contractor role seeking an experienced composite boatbuilder with strong deck-to-hull joining expertise. Work focuses on bonding, finishing, and assembly of small GRP marine craft in a busy boatbuilding programme.

Initial contract is a minimum 3 months with a strong likelihood of extension to 1–2 years. Limited Company contractors considered; start ASAP for suitable candidates.

Qualifications

• Hands-on boatbuilding experience in marine composites or related environment.
• Strong experience with deck-to-hull joining and GRP/composite construction.
• Understanding of bonding, finishing, and alignment for marine assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Joining and bonding decks to hulls.
• Preparing mating surfaces prior to bonding.
• Adhesive bonding and composite joining techniques.
• Laminating and reinforcing deck-to-hull joints.
• Grinding, trimming, fitting and finishing.
• Checking alignment and fit before final bonding.
• Working with GRP/composite components.
• Supporting resin infusion and general composite boatbuilding activities.
• Reading basic drawings and build instructions.
• Ensuring a high standard of finish and build quality.

Skills

Deck-to-hull joining

GRP/Composite construction

Structural bonding

Wet lay-up

Resin infusion

Trimming & fitting

Marine finishing

Job description

Contract Boatbuilder - Composite Boats

Winchester

Minimum 3-month contract | Strong potential for 1-2 years' ongoing work

Limited Company contractors considered

We are looking for an experienced Composite Boatbuilder to join a busy boatbuilding programme in the Winchester area.

This is initially a minimum 3-month contract, but there is a strong possibility of the work continuing for 1-2 years for the right person.

The key requirement for this role is someone who is genuinely experienced in joining decks to hulls and understands the practical build and assembly of small composite boats.

These are relatively small craft, so we need someone who is comfortable working accurately and independently across the full deck-to-hull bonding and finishing process.

The role

You will be involved in:

• Joining and bonding decks to hulls
• Preparing mating surfaces prior to bonding
• Adhesive bonding and composite joining techniques
• Laminating and reinforcing deck-to-hull joints
• Grinding, trimming, fitting and finishing
• Checking alignment and fit before final bonding
• Working with GRP/composite components
• Supporting resin infusion and general composite boatbuilding activities where required
• Reading basic drawings and build instructions
• Ensuring a high standard of finish and build quality

What we are looking for

You must have previous hands-on experience within boatbuilding, marine composites or a closely related composite manufacturing environment.

Of particular interest are people with strong experience in:

• Deck-to-hull joining
• GRP/composite boat construction
• Structural bonding
• Wet lay-up / hand lamination
• Resin infusion
• Trimming and fitting composite parts
• Marine finishing and assembly

You should be confident working with minimal supervision and able to demonstrate a good understanding of how composite boats are assembled rather than purely manufacturing individual moulded parts.

Contract

• Location: Winchester, Hampshire
• Duration: Minimum 3 months
• Potential: Strong possibility of 1-2 years' ongoing work
• Engagement: Limited Company contractors considered
• Start: ASAP

If you are an experienced composite boatbuilder with strong deck-to-hull joining experience, we would be very interested in hearing from you.