With winter on the horizon, choosing a marina is a top priority for superyacht captains.
From safety and technical support to refit facilities and crew wellbeing, several factors come into play when selecting a winter base. Against this backdrop, Marina Port de Mallorca, located right in the heart of Palma and with berthing capacity for yachts up to 50 metres, offers a host of advantages that captains themselves know first-hand.
For Alfredo Mella, Captain of the 23-metre S/Y Ganesha, safety is paramount during extended stays. “We spend the winter here. We’re berthed up for almost eight months of the year, so we need to be sure that the boat is protected,” he explains. The captain also believes that Marina Port de Mallorca is “one of the best-located marinas on the island”, which is one of the reasons why he chose it as his winter base.
Infrastructure and proximity to specialised services are equally important for the day-to-day operation of yachts. Mateo Monserrat, Captain of the 34-metre M/Y Hyhmä, highlights the marina’s facilities, saying that “its infrastructure makes it perfect for longer stays. On your doorstep, you have reliable suppliers, first-class services and, above all, STP for any refit work.”
This proximity to STP Shipyard Palma, also part of the IPM-IMG Marine Group, means that captains can combine a stay at a marina located in the very heart of Palma with access to specialist refit and repair facilities. This combination makes it easier to organise routine technical work carried out during the winter season, a benefit that Captain Monserrat sums up by highlighting the end-to-end solution offered by the marina and refit yard working together.
Prime location for work and life on board
The location of Marina Port de Mallorca is another of its key advantages. With yacht suppliers, specialist companies and urban amenities all close at hand, industry professionals can minimise travel time and deal more efficiently with the day-to-day needs of their boats.
On this note, Uwe Dettelbacher, Captain of the 32-metre S/Y Uriel, says that “it’s great to be in the centre of Palma, in between the two big chandlers. This makes life much easier, as you don’t waste any time procuring materials and subcontractors have easy access to the yacht.”
These practical advantages are complemented by the chance to enjoy the city during downtime, with restaurants and leisure options just a stone’s throw from the marina, something Captain Dettelbacher particularly appreciates, both for himself and his crew.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Zingrebbe, Captain of the 24-metre M/Y Sásta, emphasises one of the advantages of Marina Port de Mallorca for winter stays: the availability of parking spaces for work on board, a service that few marinas on Palma’s Paseo Marítimo offer and which makes maintenance tasks considerably easier. “I’d definitely recommend Marina Port de Mallorca as a winter base. And there’s one big plus: parking for technical teams”, he explains. He also praises the location of the marina right in the heart of Palma and the professionalism of the team, which he describes as “always ready to help and very professional.”
Captain Zingrebbe also singles out the advantages of Marina Port de Mallorca being part of the IPM-IMG Marine Group, which means that users can also draw on the of support of other group companies in the Balearics, such as Marina Ibiza, Marina Port Mahón and STP Shipyard Palma, giving them access to a wider range of services while sailing around the islands.
With approximately 200 berths, 24-hour security, personalised service and the capacity to accommodate yachts of up to 50 metres, Marina Port de Mallorca boasts facilities tailored to the long-stay needs of yachts.
The experiences of Alfredo Mella, Mateo Monserrat, Uwe Dettelbacher and Nicolas Zingrebbe prove that choosing a winter base involves much more than simply securing a berth. For these professionals, having a safe environment, easy access to technical services and a city that offers the perfect work-life balance are vital for navigating the quieter months of the year.
