Volunteer Boat Technician for Accessible Sailing

Disabled Sailing Association Torquay UK; Torquay; On-site; Full time

Job description

Do you love working with your hands and keeping boats in shipshape condition? Our bosun’s team is looking for a 3rd volunteer with lived experience in boat maintenance. They perform basic tasks on our two 38ft yachts moored at Town Dock, Torquay.

What difference will you make?

Unlocks life-changing experiences Your skills directly keep our yachts on the water up to seven days a week (April–November), giving over 300 disabled members, sail supporters and crew the freedom to sail.

Champions safety and accessibility You will maintain the vital, custom modifications that allow our members to sail safely and confidently.

Protects our community By ensuring our fleet is perfectly seaworthy and legally compliant, you create a safe environment for everyone on board.

Drives our winter transformation During the winter season, you will help lead the crucial winter repairs, servicing and support crew training that sets us up for success.

Keeps our charity afloat Your hands-on expertise saves the charity vital funds, ensuring our limited resources go directly toward supporting our members.

This is a team member role, not a Trustee role.

What are we looking for?

Practical Boat Maintenance Experience Proven, hands-on history of working on boats, understanding marine hardware, or maintaining watercraft.

Strong DIY & Technical Skills Confidence using hand/power tools and troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, or structural issues.

Resourcefulness A proactive problem-solver dedicated to maintaining the safety and accessibility of our boats.

What will you be doing?

Our yachts are DSA Freedom (Beneteau Oceanis) and DSA Free Spirit 2 (Bavaria C38). They sail up to 7 days a week, weather permitting. Basic maintenance tasks include servicing the engine, changing oil changing impellor, sea water filter and hoses as necessary, renewing lines/warps, carrying out regular safety checks, other basic maintenance activities. Electrical skills would be helpful. Major maintenance works such as changing drive leg seals will be done by professional marine service companies. Join a dedicated team committed to supporting high availability of both of our 38ft cruisers, which is paramount in our mission to provide ‘safe & affordable sailing' for the disabled. You will have also have the opportunity to sail, subject to availability.