How to become a boat mechanic?

[ccarver]

I am intrested in becoming a boat mechanic, inboard/outboard gas/deisel motors, anything from small 14' pontoon boat to a 40' yachts! What are some tech schools? trade programs? apprenticships out there? I looked into wyotech, but there only college that offers marine technology is in florida. Im looking for somewere not so expensive to live (no offensive if you live there, but if you do live there how expensive is it really?)

If your in this feild, please tell me how you got there? thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

Before making a decision on what trade you want to become part of, you had best ask yourself a couple of other questions first: 1) can I make a living in this field? 2) what is the current market for people with this skill set, and 3) what is the general state of this industry.

The answer to question #1 generally is YES, you can make a living in this field. For question #2 the answer is YES but only in a good economy, where people are actually buying and using boats. For question #3 and most importantly, we are in a depressed economy where boat manufacturers are shutting down and going out of business at fire sale rates so NO, this is not a good time to get into the field. So you see, question #2 and #3 would tell you that even with the best education, you might not find work for quite some time. As a fall-back field, yes, any education is better than no education. Even if you took two years to get the marine education, by the time you completed the program, you would be competing with all of the other techs that had been let go during the bad economy. Guess who will get hired first? Those with experience and the marine training will get hired first. By all means, don't give up your dream. I'm just pointing out that just because you have some training does not let you walk into a job in that field.

 

[haskindm]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS! Everybody is looking for a "magic course" that will immediately make them a highly paid expert. There are some boat mechanics that are very highly compensated, there are MANY others that are scraping by on little more than minimum wage. What is the difference? Years of experience and continually learning about their craft. A good mechanic never stops studying and learning. You can go to the finest technical school on earth, but you are still and unknown quantity until you get on the job and prove your self. There are many paths to becoming a mechanic.
1. Go to a trade/technical school and hope that someone will be impressed enough with your diploma to give you a shot.
2. Get a job in a shop as a helper/assistant/floor sweeper/parts runner whatever and hope that you impress them enough that they will send you to training in order for you to become a mechanic.
In my opinion the second is the more advantageous approach. The shop will usually be able to send you to factory schools which are usually only available to authorized dealers and you will have the opportunity to "earn as you learn". Some of the trade/tech schools can be almost as expensive as college and when you finish you will only be starting out a little higher on the wage scale than someone with no training.
Whatever method you choose, once you "get your foot in the door" never stop learning. Take every class that is available and read the trade publications every chance you get. Knowledge is power and we live in the information age. Those that stopped learning when they left High School are probably doing the same job that they had for about the same money. Those that continue to train and learn will continue to grow.

 

[timdan94]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

as a guy that just went through 4 years of tech school I suggest going with option #2. Granted with that piece of paper you make more money but with what it costs to go to school you are better off with the lower paying job and getting the training that way. I went to a tech school and I paid the same amount as someone going to a normal college. It wasn't cheap... Right now I'm paying roughly $350 a month for school loan repayment. so I actually make less than someone that didn't go to school when you take that amount out of the paychecks.

 

[marquette]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

i'm assuming that since you are looking for an education and a trade that you are fairly young. if you are between 18-25yrs old, in reasonable health and have average high school grades try looking into the navy or coast guard. with the pre enlistment choice of MOS (military occupational specialty) you may be able to get into small boat maintaince and have them supply or pay for your training. when a friend of mine was at Mercury's school a few years ago there was 2 navy guys there being trained. nobody probably owns more small boats and motors than they do and somebody has to fix them.

 

[F_R]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

What haskindm said. Been there and done that. I got a part time job when I was still in high school. It took years, but I eventually earned top dollar in my trade. NEVER stop learning. I still am and I'm almost 72. And don't confine your learning to your trade. Ive learned how to do air conditioning, repair cars and washing machines, plumbing, build houses, and build controllers for snow plows, to name just a few.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

i have to say with all the new technology going into engines, that the old style Mech is having to re-educate themselves, to learn the electronics, computers etc. used to be that a mech could fix your motor, now you need a techy. guys don't take offense to this. i'm saying this, out of my personal experience.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

i have to say with all the new technology going into engines, that the old style Mech is having to re-educate themselves, to learn the electronics, computers etc. used to be that a mech could fix your motor, now you need a techy. guys don't take offense to this. i'm saying this, out of my personal experience.

I think that's the reality of all things be it engines in boats, cars, even the washing machine in your home.

But being a technology guy myself, I can attest to the need for the foundation skills req'd that the old style mechs still bring to the table.

I find with newer technologies, we teach new folks how to fix the problem, but its the older guys who know why which is why I still have the most respect for the old style guys.

So getting back to ccarver's question, I think the combination of answers in the thread answer best. Education is key, but know the mechanics, learn the new electronics, and most importantly, get the experience via real life experience to provide yourself the opportunity to be successful in this field.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

Ability and aptitude are absolutely essential to succeed in the marine service business. What I'm getting at here is that while training is certainly necessary, the technical training today includes use of the various specialty diagnostic tools that help pinpoint most problems with a power plant system. Note that I said power plant system. There are many systems and each one has a number of mechanical, electro-mechanical and electronic components. Diagnostic tools are effective at pointing to a system and sometimes even to a component so a repair can be handled quickly. What it doesn't point out however is "why" that problem popped up. So one must have a high degree of analytical ability to go along with the ability to simply use the available tools. Unfortunately we have a high number of techs that simply "shotgun" a problem when the diagnostics say "no trouble found". The end result is a repeat visit when the same problem occurs. A good tech tries to figure out "why" a component failed after the diagnostics told him/her "what failed".

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

very true.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

In today's economy, it's not going to be an easy thing for a recent High School grad to find a job in the industry. While there is a persistent shortage of highly-trained and experienced technicians, the same is not true of young guys with no training and experience, I'm afraid.

Given the current business climate for the boating industry, I believe I'd be seeking education rather than immediate employment as an apprentice of some sort.

If you can find and afford a specialty trade school for that industry, that'd be great. If not, training in the automotive maintenance field will also serve to get you up to speed on wrenching, specifically, and the electronics and diagnostic skills you'll need to learn from the beginning.

In the meantime, you can extend your knowledge and experience by rehabbing cheap or free boats and engines in your free time. Document what you're doing with photographs and keep detailed records of what you're doing, as well.

At some point, you'll have a nice book of work you've done that you can show a prospective employer, like a marine shop or marina, to demonstrate that you are serious about this and actually know something.

There's not going to be a fast track for this, frankly.

As has been recommended by myself and others, consider an enlistment term in one of the military branches. Talk to your local recruiter about technical fields and opportunities in the military.

Study. Learn as much as you can about the thing you want to do. Read service manuals like they are paperback books. Your local library should have, or can get from a larger libraries, service manuals for many things. By reading them, you'll gain a knowledge of terminology, tools, equipment, and more. Most have detailed flow charts dealing with diagnostic issues. Nothing is more important than learning the process of diagnosis of mechanical systems. Being a parts-changer is...well...pretty worthless if you want to become a well-paid professional technician. It is diagnosis that is the rare tool.

Watch what happens in some of the longer threads here on iboats, where problems people are having are diagnosed by experts here. Once the right questions are asked and the answers given, the problem is easy to solve in most cases. That's the key thing. Knowing the questions and the techniques for getting the answers means you can solve the problem.

It's tough being around 18 years old. You're eager to get going with your life. You can speed that up by putting in lots of time learning. I know of no faster way to learn the basics of this kind of thing than military service. Really.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

I am intrested in becoming a boat mechanic, inboard/outboard gas/deisel motors, anything from small 14' pontoon boat to a 40' yachts! What are some tech schools? trade programs? apprenticships out there?

It's a tough field and you won't get rich but first contact the Association of Marine Technicians. They have training classes and an annual Marine Service trade show in January. Their whole concept is education and the betterment of marine industry service.

http://am-tech.org/

On the left side of the website at the bottom, click on schools

 

[kandil]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

I think if you know some one that can get you a Job as a helper it will be a good start.How do you know?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

mmmm how to become a boat mechanic?
maybe by not being smart enough to really make money?
actually I started when I was about 8 years old, thats when I got my first Chiltons manual.
I was also lucky enough to be admitted to the Hogan High school advanced automotive program while still a freshman.
also lucky enough to have had a very very good automotive shop teacher.
from there I have worked for various ford and chevrolet dealers as well as a few independant shops.from there I programmed,setup and repaired CNC lathes and mills, from there I joined the USN as a Fire Controlman and recieved 3 years of electronics training,since being retired from the USN with a service connected disability many moons ago I have worked and been certified in Volvo,Mercruiser,Mercury,Force,Suzuki,and Yamaha.
I am currently a Yamaha master tech.
so with many years,solid dealership support,careful study of all service manuals,tech bullitens and a lot of self study I got where I am, and I still go to school for yamaha and volvo every year at my own expense.
I figgure over the past 15 years I have out of pocket spent about 15K dollars on furthering my education.
biggest thing is never quit learning and always strive to do the same job better each time you do it.
2nd thing to remember, its the customers money but your reputation,which is most important?

 

[mthieme]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

I have two friends that are boat mechanics. They do everything from canvas to outdrives to fiberglass to mechanical repairs. They both started as teenagers at a local marina scraping bottoms. Today they have more work than they can handle (and no longer scrape bottoms).

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

In today's economy, it's not going to be an easy thing for a recent High School grad to find a job in the industry.

In the meantime, you can extend your knowledge and experience by rehabbing cheap or free boats and engines in your free time. Document what you're doing with photographs and keep detailed records of what you're doing, as well.

At some point, you'll have a nice book of work you've done that you can show a prospective employer, like a marine shop or marina, to demonstrate that you are serious about this and actually know something.

Study. Learn as much as you can about the thing you want to do. Read service manuals like they are paperback books. Your local library should have, or can get from a larger libraries, service manuals for many things. By reading them, you'll gain a knowledge of terminology, tools, equipment, and more. Most have detailed flow charts dealing with diagnostic issues. Nothing is more important than learning the process of diagnosis of mechanical systems. Being a parts-changer is...well...pretty worthless if you want to become a well-paid professional technician. It is diagnosis that is the rare tool.

Watch what happens in some of the longer threads here on iboats, where problems people are having are diagnosed by experts here. Once the right questions are asked and the answers given, the problem is easy to solve in most cases. That's the key thing. Knowing the questions and the techniques for getting the answers means you can solve the problem.

Good advice I say. I also wanted to mention that you could make decent money in boat salvage. You wouldn't need any extensive training for this field I wouldn't think. Buy a few boat, motor, and trailer combos for cheap and part them out, use some of the profits to save for another cheap deal and build it up from there. You'll wanna get an idea of what a similar part is selling for so search the internet, don't overcharge for a part but don't cut your own throut at the same time. Of coarse if you live in the city this would be a different story.

I also thought about going into this field. For me I believe it is a far fetched dream. I have also wanted to start a motorcycle or boat salvage business, which I have done some small time dealings with motorcycle parts but never bought any other bikes to part out. I have an application sitting here for a marina that hasn't been filled out. The lady asked me "if I had any training in this field", I replied "no, but I could do parts, or sales", etc etc.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

i'm assuming that since you are looking for an education and a trade that you are fairly young. if you are between 18-25yrs old, in reasonable health and have average high school grades try looking into the navy or coast guard. with the pre enlistment choice of MOS (military occupational specialty) you may be able to get into small boat maintaince and have them supply or pay for your training.

This is an excellent suggestion. I spent most of my time in the USCG as an aircraft mechanic and SAR crewman. It was a great experience overall, and I went to great schools to learn how to work on airplanes. The best part about military training is that you get paid to do it, instead of having to pay someone else, and they will put you through top notch training. If you like it and choose to stay in, which isn't a bad idea in today's economy and healthcare environment, they will continue to train you.

I you decide to get out of the military after an enlistment tour or two, you will be well trained and attractive as a candidate for an employer. You may also become available at at time when the economy has settled down. On the other hand, if you make a career of it, you can retire at a relatively young age and have a pension and healh care for the rest of your life. That can be a very nice thing, whether you want to go to work for someone else, or start your own business.

Of course my personal recommendation is the USCG above other services, but I actually have a reason other than service pride. If the Guard is structured anything like it was when I was in (admittedly, a "million" years ago), you will probably get to "go out and play," as well as work on the boats/engines. If there is anyone here that has more recent experience in the Coast Guard who can confrm this, a reply would be a nice thing.

Whatever you choose to do, give it your best and you will be OK.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to become a boat mechanic?

Actually, the salvage business has gotten rather technical, and is very labor intensive. it requires a great computer program, and tracking system for each part you have, and where it is stored. you have to have label, and record each part, and then have to have atleast some knowledge of what it is used for.


stocking new parts, is a much simplier process, as they come in with the part #, easily identified, to cross reference for it's use.

if you go to a modern day, auto salvage yard, they are laid out on a grid system, and they keep track of the parts that are removed from the cars. if you need a part, they know whether they have it, and it is on row 9 west, section C. you or they then go there, pull the part, and they take it out of there computer.