Boating Matneince School

[Scout Sport Fish]

I've been looking around for a good boat school. The only one I've managed to find was MMI in Orando, FL. Now I dont wantto go to some 2-bit general engine school run my some guy named Jed and his wife. I want a high quality one casue I plan on opening my own Marina. By the way Im talking college here. Right now thats my dream job and working at Marina now but only as a paint junkie really. And re-building docks and odd jobs.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum but I didnt know where to put it.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Boating Matneince School

MMI is about the only thing going. Most of us old timers worked on boats and went to factory schools. But you have to work for dealers of those particular brands. And not all dealers see the wisdom of educating their mechanics. MMI offers a wide variety and a lot of manufacturers are donating materials and product to learn from. So there are basically two avenues. Going the factory-sponsored route, or going the independent route. Look into am-tech.org for the independent route. They aren't an educator, but a resource.

Also check with your state's Tech schools. A few have programs. Even a small engine apprenticeship would be a start.

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Oh wow that sucks. I guess Ill go to MMI and just go to any small 2 week schools that Yamaha/Mecury/Volvo offer. I just cant stand the way my boss runs the Marina and dosent recognize I know what Im doing. Right now Im re-building a small 2 Stroke engine. Honestly how many 16 year old kids do you know that can do it? How many kids do you know can install a bildge pump or trim tabs? He sent me out with one of the guys to pull props off because he thought I didnt know how to do it. But of coarse he has no system. Where climbing under and over boats trying to reach them to pull them for the winter.

/Rant

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boating Matneince School

good luck, we need more dedicated real mechanics.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Boating Matneince School

MMI is the best bet, but right now BCC has joined with ABYC to establish a Marine Center of Excellence in Miramar Florida to establish a curriculum that will lead to a certification and Marine Industry Association of South Florida (MIASF) contacted Broward Community College (BCC) to help them with the training of qualified technician

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Oh wow that sucks. I guess Ill go to MMI and just go to any small 2 week schools that Yamaha/Mecury/Volvo offer. I just cant stand the way my boss runs the Marina and dosent recognize I know what Im doing. Right now Im re-building a small 2 Stroke engine. Honestly how many 16 year old kids do you know that can do it? How many kids do you know can install a bildge pump or trim tabs? He sent me out with one of the guys to pull props off because he thought I didnt know how to do it. But of coarse he has no system. Where climbing under and over boats trying to reach them to pull them for the winter.

/Rant

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I am 14 and can do everything you mentioned (couldn't do trim tabs off the top of my head, as I have never been around a boat that had them, much less someone installing them. But, I could figure it out pretty easily.) But, I have read and reread the SELOC service manuals for Johnnyrudes 4 - 65 hp 1971 to 1989. Done much of the repair work on our motors and mainly 2 stroke lawnmowers and chainsaws. Around our house, they die faster than OBs. I am not bragging, but using this to explain my point a little better. As you say, many people don't appreciate your knowledge at this age. I have been trying to get jobs for a while now, and even though I can do the exact same stuff, many of them are being taken by 16 and 17 years. And I am not talking working at fastfood or a business, but moreso private stuff like building fences. I have pulled a section of fencing or two in my lifetime, but still am being outsourced by olders. Ones that have been around me long enough and know my knowledge, treat me like that, but unfortunately, they never have spare jobs laying around.
Do the jobs he assigns you well, and maybe he will put you with people to teach you better jobs. Once he sees that you learn real fast he may put you at progressively better jobs. Maybe try to sell your motor at the marina when you get done, and make sure your boss sees what you have done with it. Or, better yet, let him know that you are in the market for nonworking outboards. Once he sees that you are skilled in repairing them he may promote you. Work your way through the line. It will work out.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Boating Matneince School

the money is in diesel
look into it

 

[Coors]

Re: Boating Matneince School

I went to a 4 year high school in Md, then moved to Fl , where it is 3 year. Having more credits and only needing i class to graduate, I found a program that let me work and earn credits. I hooked up with a gm dealership, and got trained by them. Maybe your school has that? It was called dct or something.

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I am 14 and can do everything you mentioned (couldn't do trim tabs off the top of my head, as I have never been around a boat that had them, much less someone installing them. But, I could figure it out pretty easily.) But, I have read and reread the SELOC service manuals for Johnnyrudes 4 - 65 hp 1971 to 1989. Done much of the repair work on our motors and mainly 2 stroke lawnmowers and chainsaws. Around our house, they die faster than OBs. I am not bragging, but using this to explain my point a little better. As you say, many people don't appreciate your knowledge at this age. I have been trying to get jobs for a while now, and even though I can do the exact same stuff, many of them are being taken by 16 and 17 years. And I am not talking working at fastfood or a business, but moreso private stuff like building fences. I have pulled a section of fencing or two in my lifetime, but still am being outsourced by olders. Ones that have been around me long enough and know my knowledge, treat me like that, but unfortunately, they never have spare jobs laying around.
Do the jobs he assigns you well, and maybe he will put you with people to teach you better jobs. Once he sees that you learn real fast he may put you at progressively better jobs. Maybe try to sell your motor at the marina when you get done, and make sure your boss sees what you have done with it. Or, better yet, let him know that you are in the market for nonworking outboards. Once he sees that you are skilled in repairing them he may promote you. Work your way through the line. It will work out.

Ah no offence. But I mean how many kids do you know that can do the stuff we do? 99.9% of my friends dont even know what a spark plug is. We just got a good headstart and I already know what I want to do and am pretty dedicated to it.

Just a side note...I do know I need to be older to get respect and some decent jobs there, but my co-workers definelty recognize it. My boss thinks all I know how to do is pump gas and use a weed wacker. He wont even let me use the polisher. But my co-workers defintly respect me and use me to full advantage. You know they'll say "Hey boots" (my nickname there) "go get me 4 NKG XYZ 123 plugs and some 3 amp in line fuses" My boss almost had a heart attack when he saw me using a socket wrench to tighten some bolts up.

 

[svilla]

Re: Boating Matneince School

If you really want to open your own marina go to college and get a business degree. If your cool with just working on boats got to MMI.

p.s the business degree pays more.

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Ah yes Im doing a business coarse in my senior year at high school. Then off to MMI for a year and a half and then work a little bit get my degree then marina time!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boating Matneince School

keep your focus. there are a lot of things to get you off course. always list the pros and cons before making a decision.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Boating Matneince School

they say
to make 1 million in the boat businesses
you need to start with 2 million

 

[burroak]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Scout,

A friend of mine had the wander lust and could not stay in one place very long, but he was a great mechanic. He would land in a town that he wanted to stay in for awhile and immediately would buy a junker off the back row in a used car dealer's lot. He would drive it to a cafe or a diner and get permission to repair his car. After a couple of days of working on the ground and in full view of all the towns people, he would lay a streak of rubber up to the bumpers in front of the cafe, go inside and ask if anyone knew of any mechanic vacancies, to which, he always got a job.

That's the long way around suggesting to you that you will have to demonstrate your abilities on your own dime. There are many ways to attract the attention of prospective bosses; use your imagination.

1)Pick up all the weedeaters on the curb, almost all of them just need a carb rebuild. 2) Offer your services gratis at the senior centers for 2 cycle repairs - the word spreads and it gives you a sense of humanity; 3)take all the stuff in the free ads, repair them, sell them at a flea market. 4) Get a girl friend and set up a boat maid service (it's better if she looks good in a bikini), you can do the mechanical work. I guess I'm trying to say, do stuff like this and get the education; it will happen for you. Someone said, "Luck is preparation meeting opportunity."

 

[valkyr]

Re: Boating Matneince School

What exactly is it you want to do? I know you said you wanted to open a marina, but it sounds like you like the maintenance bit more. I know several of the marinas around here don't have mechanics. They recommend guys to people looking for mechanics though.

So do you want to:
1.) Get a certification that "proves" you know what you're doing and therefore charge more money (and demand respect)? or
2.) Get the skills to repair all type of marine engines and therefore work on them because thats what you enjoy? or
3.) Run a marina AND repair engines? or
4.) Work for a marina as a mechanic?

For the above:
1.) Goto MMI or trade school or check out the engine makers and see what certifications they offer for their engines - I have NO idea if this is plausible.
2.) Apprentice with existing mechanics in your area
3.) Find a different marina where you enjoy working and apprentice to a local mechanic that knows what he's doing and maybe buy a partnership in the marina later. Probably would be a good idea to at least get an associate (2yr) degree in business admin. Lots of good info about managing/marketing in a business curriculum.
4.) Apprentice to a mechanic, work for a marina and talk to people who need help with repairs. Build a customer base and have them refer you to their friends.

I remember the feeling of having inept people as my bosses....wait a min, that still applies in the business world....arrrggghhh.

Hope that gives you something to think about anyway? If I really loved working on engines and repairs I'd offer to work for a mechanic for free for the experience. Find a local mechanic that is recommended by your marina and other marinas, that way you'll find a guy who has plenty of work going on.

Good luck and best wishes!!

P.S. As you're 16 (wait, don't take that wrong), when you get out of High School, your world view really changes....I mean REALLY changes. You might realize that you enjoy working on engines etc as a hobby rather than a means of gainful employment. I tinker on my cars and enjoy it but I work with computers for a living and enjoy both. But I don't think I would enjoy mechanics as a career, though I thought so when I was younger.

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Im thinking of runing the marina and doing some mechanic work. Get some secratarys for the paper work. (Which by then will all be digital). MMI looks like what Im going to do. I was thinking a Bacholrs (sp?) Money isnt an issue.

Im pretty sure its not just a hobby. I enjoy being covered in grease and oil. I love the smell of it and would do it all day. I want a job I love and like.

 

[burroak]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Im thinking of runing the marina and doing some mechanic work. Get some secratarys for the paper work. (Which by then will all be digital). MMI looks like what Im going to do. I was thinking a Bacholrs (sp?) Money isnt an issue.

Im pretty sure its not just a hobby. I enjoy being covered in grease and oil. I love the smell of it and would do it all day. I want a job I love and like.

Scout,

It's good to have dreams, but the reality is that you have a lot to learn about business, tech work, and life. My last post was too subtle, I'm sure. Humility is admired at any stage of one's life: if you and bassboy applied for the same position, he would get the job. Reread his post and read yours, or better yet have some business owner read them and give you some insight.

 

[valkyr]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Scout, don't know if you're still reading these forums, but happened on this today:

Rhode Island, RI

New England Institute of Technology
Campus Location: Warwick, RI
Programs available:

* Associate - Marine Technology
Hands-on, in-depth training in engine repair, transmissions, electrical systems, fuel injection systems and emissions systems. Students may qualify to become certified Volvo Penta Technicians.

http://www.mechanicschools.com/marine-mechanic-schools.html

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Boating Matneince School

Diesel is where it'$ at. The military gave me a great free education in electronics. That education has paid the bills and bought the toys for 40 years. At your age, you might look into the http://www.gocoastguard.com/faq.html or navy engine/small craft/ship maintenance schools and programs. It'll also give you some claut for experience when you get out and are job hunting.

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: Boating Matneince School

How come no one mentioned Maritime? Haha =P