Marine Mechanic Schools And Jobs

About Motorboat Mechanics

Motorboat mechanics, also known as marine mechanics, are responsible for repairing and adjusting the electrical and mechanical equipment of both inboard and outboard boat engines. Owning a motorboat is a hobby for a growing number of people and they depend on a motorboat mechanic to keep their vessel running safely and efficiently. Many marine mechanics are also boat owners and have a passion for working with them that was often developed in their youth. Motorboats are used for a variety of purposes including pleasure boating, water sports, fishing, and racing. Some people choose to live on their boat as a permanent residence.

Most smaller boats have portable outboard engines that can be removed and brought to a marina, dealer, or repair shop for necessary maintenance and repairs. Larger boats, such as cabin cruisers, yachts, commuter ferries, and commercial fishing boats, are powered by diesel or gasoline engines, which due to the engines size and weight, are removed only for major engine overhauls. Small repairs of these vessels are performed at docks or marinas. In addition to working on boat engines a motorboat mechanic also may work on propellers, steering systems, and other boat equipment. Motorboat mechanics will often repair other types of marine equipment such as jet skis and wave runners.

Marine Mechanic Job Duties

Motorboat engines are becoming more complex as technology evolves. This presents challenges to the mechanic but also provides them with variety in their workday as every boat experiences different problems and therefore requires different repair solutions. When a motorboat breaks down, a mechanic uses a variety of techniques to determine the source of the problem and the extent of the repairs needed. A skilled marine mechanic will be able to diagnose mechanical and electrical problems quickly and make repairs to bring the motorboat back to peak operating efficiency. Some repair jobs require replacement of only a single part or many parts.

In larger repair shops, mechanics often use computerized diagnostic testing equipment developed for motorboats as a preliminary tool in analyzing the equipment and the problems the owner is experiencing. These computers provide a report of how various components are performing and compare them to ratings established for that manufacturers model. After determining the problem, the motorboat mechanic makes the needed repairs or replaces unfixable parts. While performing the necessary repairs a marine mechanic will refer to service manuals from the manufacturer for instructions and specifications.

In addition to repairs done when an engine isn't working properly motorboat engines also require periodic maintenance to keep them running safely and efficiently. During routine maintenance, mechanics will inspect a number of the engines functions including electrical systems, fuel injection systems, spark plugs, and other parts. Once the inspection is complete, mechanics will repair or adjust parts that are not working properly and replace unfixable parts.

Whether performing repairs or maintenance a marine mechanic uses a variety of hand tools. These tools are the most important aides a mechanic has to perform their duties. Mechanics usually provide their own hand tools and most employers will provide more sophisticated, expensive power tools, computerized analyzers, and other diagnostic equipment.

A mechanic will usually follow these steps to successfully maintain or repair a motorboat:

• Perform visual inspection of the motorboat
• Operate the boat at various speeds in the water to accurately determine repairs needed of the mechanical, electrical, or computerized systems
• Idle the engine and monitor thermometers to determine the effectiveness of boats cooling systems
• Disassemble and inspect motor to locate parts that need to be repaired or replaced
• Use computerized testing devices, if available for engine model, to check motorboats operating systems
• Review the manufacturers' service and repair manuals for updated information on parts to be used and procedures/standards to be followed
• Make accurate estimate of time required to perform required maintenance or repair
• Develop list of parts needed and cost of replacement/new parts
• Perform needed repairs or maintenance including:
• Adjust generators and replace wiring as needed, inspect and repair propellers, power-tilts, bilge pumps, gears, piston rings, and spark plugs, align and repair steering
• Start motor to monitor for potential issues such as smoke, excessive vibration, and engine misfiring

Marine Mechanics Job Characteristics and Working Environment

Marine mechanics work for a variety of employers including marinas, dealers, manufacturers, and independent repair shops. A marine mechanic will often work in a location that is on the water or near a waterway in order to test-drive the boat during the maintenance and repair process. Repair shops can be found on lakes, rivers, and on the ocean.

A mechanic will work prior to the start of the boating season to prepare boats for use, during the season on necessary repairs to quickly allow a boat owner to get their boat back in the water, and once the season is over on major overhauls. The length of the boating season varies due to weather conditions and is a few months long in the Northeast and year-round in warm weather locations such as Florida.

During the winter months in the colder, snowy portions of the United States, mechanics may work fewer than 40 hours a week as motorboat use declines during this time, as does the need for repairs and service work. During the months when they have less work motorboat mechanics might work on other small engine equipment such as snow blowers, lawn mowers, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles. During the off-season many marine mechanics will often schedule time-consuming engine overhauls and re-builds so the clients' motorboat is ready for the next years boating season. During the peak summer months when most motorboats are in use mechanics may work more than 40 hours a week to meet clients' repair and maintenance needs.

A motorboat mechanic should possess most of the following skills and traits to be successful in their profession:

• Attention to detail
• Ability to work in confined spaces in awkward positions
• Aptitude for following instructions and diagrams in manufacturers manuals
• Interest in learning new technologies to meet changing boat engine manufacture
• Ability to work independently
• Comfort with water and concern for water safety
• Time management skills to insure repairs are completed according to estimate
• Work schedule flexibility to accommodate seasonal use of equipment, workload and customer needs - including evenings and weekends

Boat and Marine Mechanic Schools

Boat maintenance and repair programs provide training in fixing and maintaining boats and their mechanical systems. During the program students learn to maintain and repair outboard and inboard engines, propellers, and steering systems. They will also learn to adjust sails, hulls, and other parts. Thorough knowledge of basic electronics is essential for anyone interested in becoming a marine mechanic as electronic components control the boat engines' performance, instrument displays, and many other functions necessary to keep a boats engine running safely and efficiently.

Successfully completing a boat maintenance and repair program is a great way to begin a career as a boat or marine technician. A few two-year technical schools in coastal communities offer certificate and associate programs in this course of study. Boat maintenance and repair programs will usually include course work that introduces the student to how boats are designed and operate, and the maintenance needed. Additional topics of study include outboard and inboard engines, drive train systems, and electrical and computer systems. In order to repair and maintain a boat properly a mechanic must know how to pilot a boat and this training is included in all programs as well. During the boat maintenance and repair program students also study wood and fiberglass framing and construction as most motorboats are made out of these two materials. In addition to course work students will also get hands-on training working on actual engines and boats. Most programs last between one and two years. Shorter programs will often provide a certificate upon successful completion and longer programs will often award an associate degree.

As the complexity of motorboat engines continues to increase, employers prefer to hire mechanics that have successfully completed a formal training program but due to the limited number of programs offered most mechanics currently working will learn their skills on the job or while working in related fields. In addition to formal training prior to being hired, once on the job employers often send motorboat mechanics to courses conducted by equipment distributors and manufacturers. These courses add to workers skills and provide up-to-date information on new repair methods.

The majority of marine mechanic positions are located in coastal regions on both the East and West Coasts and near large bodies of water including rivers and the Great Lakes. Boat dealers and marinas employ most mechanics but approximately 20% choose to work independently and own their own repair shop. Some mechanics work for manufacturers at their manufacturing facility and make final adjustments and repairs at the end of the assembly line process. A small number of mechanics work for boat rental companies in resort communities. Many federal, state, and local governments use boats in their law enforcement efforts and will employ motorboat mechanics to maintain and repair their equipment.

Sources of additional information for Motorboat Mechanics

• Marine Retailers Association of America
• Crazy About Boats
• American Boating Association
• American Boat Builders and Repairers Association

Schools for Motorboat Mechanics are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Motorboat Mechanics by major metro area.

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