Michigan Technician Pay Help

[oldjeep]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

Because we don't get Hurricanes, Toranado's, and the 6+month season up here is as good of a boating area as you will find anywhere. Obviously you
have never spent a summer in Michigan. Our beaches on the west coast are in the top 10 in the world.

And the bugs don't get very big, we have a winter ski season and a summer ski season. I believe that the northern states like MN also have some of the highest per capita rates of boat ownership.

Edit - if you scoll down on this page, I guess we are #1 in per capita and #2 in total vessels

http://phoenix.about.com/library/blboats.htm

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

Come on up to Ontario. Our area is always looking for good techs.
Marine engine mechanic (Marine Technician - Barrie / Innisfil) job - Pride of Marine Group Limited - Barrie, ON | Indeed.com

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

This from the state whose official bird is a mosquito

And the bugs don't get very big, we have a winter ski season and a summer ski season. I believe that the northern states like MN also have some of the highest per capita rates of boat ownership.

Edit - if you scoll down on this page, I guess we are #1 in per capita and #2 in total vessels

Arizona Has More Boats Per Capita Than Any State - Myth or Reality?

 

[Sundayknight]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

I don't have much experience with boats, but I would have never guessed that mechanics would only make $15 an hour. Especially if it's seasonal. I would say get a truck and start doing the mobile mechanic thing. You'll never get rich working for someone else.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

Northern wi here,$17.50hr, work year round. In the shop doing motor transplants,outdrive work,paint/fiberglass techs.I do most mechanical,along with another tech,abyc,ray marine,garmin,nmea certified,all training on the shop's dollar. Pension plan,insurance,vacation time. Small marina only 9 employees and more work than we can keep up with but we do!
There are several other marinas in the area that lay off in the winter,we don't at least for the techs.
Grub

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

Because we don't get Hurricanes, Toranado's, and the 6+month season up here is as good of a boating area as you will find anywhere. Obviously you
have never spent a summer in Michigan. Our beaches on the west coast are in the top 10 in the world.

I lived in OH and ran charters on Lake Erie. Spent some time at an AFB in MI. Had storms worse that cat 1 hurricanes in OH. Spending time shoveling snow instead of boating just does not make sense.

 

[mutiny]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

Everyone has given me great insight and I appreciate all of the comments. This thread did exactly what I intended it to do and sent home the realization that its time to move on to bigger and better things. Over the last year or so I have worked on my own personal business plan. Gathering my company LLC information, insurance, and about 4k in parts stock. I know that the parts I need to fill an actual shop is in the ten-thousands, however, while doing mobile work I have everything I need. I have been in the mobile mechanic business for 2 years while working for the marina which I originally described but ethically staying out of his serviceable area. My personal client list grows every week by word of mouth and referrals so I must be doing something right. It's just a really big step to open up a shop and take on the liability of having yourself to rely on, and no longer being able to fall back on an hourly wage. I do believe that it is now time to cut the ties and strategically open up a location near by.

I did some research on the company I currently work for and found a ton of negative reviews. They all follow the same criteria, and state almost all of the same things. Service manager, and counter workers with terrible customer service, bad attitudes, and over charging for parts and services. Not to mention customers being charged for services not discussed about on the original service agreement. No bad comments about services performed . I guess I know what I need to do and where to make the changes that this particular area lacks. Thanks to all. Will post in a month or so how the new shop is going!!

 

[mutiny]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

If your employer is the only game in town, then why not start a competing business. Mobil Mechanic's do very well. They work out a step van in my area, come right to the boat and charge the average rate in my area $125/hr.

You could undercut your employer at $70 and take a large chunk of his business.

I have had a mobile business for the last two years, but felt morally obligated to stay away from his particular serviceable area. I now see that he isn't doing me any favors on my pay and benefits, so its time to stop pulling punches.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Michigan Technician Pay Help

And the bugs don't get very big, we have a winter ski season and a summer ski season. I believe that the northern states like MN also have some of the highest per capita rates of boat ownership.

A minnesotan talking about bugs not getting that big? The mosquito is the state bird! I've lived in various places through the nation, and traveled fairly extensively, and by far ND and MN have the absolute worst mosquito problems. Having the airforce come in with a massive spray plane to cover the entire town isn't unheard of. The mosquitoes have a short season so they have to make up for it in other ways.

But yeah, other than mosquitoes, we don't have some of the more ugly &/or destructive bugs. (cockroaches and termites are virtually unheard of)


That chart is interesting! MN isn't just barely #1 per capita, it is WELL into the lead. ND is keeping a respectable 5th, although I've tried to sway those numbers. (my last 4 boats have all been ones I found and bought in minnesota and trailered back to ND. (MN boat prices are much, much cheaper!)