Palma Shipwrights - Carpintería de ribera y de yates en Palma

Palma Shipwrights & Joiners is a shipbuilding and yacht carpentry workshop founded in Palma in 2017 by Luca Gentilini. It is a small, specialized team that works from its workshop in Palma and uses a mobile workshop van to service boats in local ports, with permission from the Palma Port Authority. Their expertise ranges from the construction and restoration of classic wooden sailboats to interior and deck carpentry on large superyachts.

Services

• Boat construction and restoration, with a special focus on classic wooden boats.
• Yacht carpentry and cabinetmaking: interiors, bulkheads, cabinets, and finishes.
• Projects on racing cruisers (performance cruisers).
• Interior and deck furniture for superyachts.
• New teak decks and caulking of joints.
• Onboard kitchen countertops.
• Wood finishes: varnishing, oiling, and polishing.
• Custom-made furniture.

Projects in His Career

Project	Work
12M W. Fife “Cintra”	Classic refit (1989–1991)
John Bain’s Silver 72’	Refit from the keel up, awarded “Best Refit of 2016” by the British magazine Classic Yacht
J-Class “Shamrock V”	Classic yacht restoration
Perini 47 m “Aquarius”	Superyacht carpentry
50 m Benetti	Refit
Crab-rigged sloop “Yvette”	Work on a classic
Mahogany Runabout	Hull Construction
S/Y Lush, S/Y Agneta, M/Y Chica I	Recent Projects

Teak Deck: Maintain or Renew

Teak is the most prized deck finish, but the sun, salt water, and wear and tear take their toll. As a general guideline:

• Gentle cleaning with specific products, working against the grain and without a pressure washer, to avoid opening the grain.
• Caulking when the joints come loose, crack, or let water in: if left untreated, moisture will reach the substrate and repairs will become more expensive.
• Replace loose or heavily worn planks when the rest of the deck still has sufficient thickness.
• New deck when the teak has lost so much thickness that screws or dowels are visible.

Restoring a Wooden Classic

Restoring a wooden boat is a lengthy process that requires skill: choosing the right woods, adhering to the original construction techniques, and combining them with modern adhesives and finishes where they enhance durability. A good starting point is a professional assessment that identifies which frames, planking, and structural components need to be replaced and which can be preserved.

Tips for Planning Carpentry Work

• Schedule deck work for the winter, with the boat on land or under cover, so that varnishes and adhesives can cure properly.
• Request samples of wood and finishes before starting an interior project.
• Combine tasks into a single refit: carpentry, upholstery, and lighting usually affect the same areas.

Mobile Workshop at the Port

A significant portion of the carpentry work is done with the boat at its mooring. Palma Shipwrights’ workshop van allows us to handle repairs, adjustments, and finishing touches on board without moving the yacht, reserving the workshop for parts that require a workbench and machinery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Palma Shipwrights & Joiners operate? In Palma de Mallorca, with its own workshop and a mobile unit that travels to ports in the area.

Do they restore classic wooden boats? Yes, it’s one of their specialties. They’ve worked on classics such as the Fife “Cintra” and the J-Class “Shamrock V.”

Do they build teak decks? Yes, new decks, caulking of joints, and wood finishes.

Do they work on superyachts? Yes, they manufacture interior and deck furniture and have participated in refits of 47- and 50-meter yachts.

How long have they been in business? Since 2017, founded in Palma by Luca Gentilini.