How to Become a Boat Mechanic in 5 Steps
Explore the career requirements for boat mechanics. Get the facts about training options, job duties, employment growth and salary to determine if this is the right career for you.
What Is a Boat Mechanic?
Boat mechanics maintain and repair motors, engines, propellers, pumps and other parts. General tasks may include lubricating parts, making mechanical adjustments and replacing worn or damaged parts. In this career, you will need to be able to diagnose small motor problems and explain them to customers. You may also be required to make inspections and keep records of the results along with any services performed. Read on to learn about career requirements for this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Training Options</b></td><td> On-the-job training, apprenticeships, postsecondary certificate or associate degree programs</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td> Repair and replace parts, tune engines, perform inspections</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 13% for all motorboat mechanics and service technicians*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $43,320 for all motorboat mechanics and service technicians*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><p>A boat mechanic is a technician who maintains and repairs inboard and outboard boat engines. Their duties include disassembling and inspecting motors, replacing defective parts and adjusting timing or fuel-air mix. Other duties may include testing and evaluating motor performance at a range of speeds. They also inspect, adjust or replace propellers, power-tilts and bilge pumps and keep records on inspections and repairs. Mechanics are likely to remove outboard engines because they're small, but typically have to work on inboard engines in the boat where they are mounted.
</p><h3 id="section---Step1PrepareInHighSchool">Step 1: Prepare in High School</h3><p>You may begin preparing for a boat mechanic career by taking shop courses if your high school has them. Shop courses provide direct experience with small hand tools and problem solving. English, math and electronics courses are helpful for developing written communication skills and an understanding of technical specifications.
</p><h3 id="section---Step2CompleteAnApprenticeship">Step 2: Complete an Apprenticeship</h3><p>Learning on-the-job through an apprenticeship program is one way to obtain the training you need. Boat manufacturers and labor unions may offer some apprenticeships, while others are affiliated with local community colleges or technical schools. Inboard and outboard engines, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, parts fabrication and performance tuning are among the subjects you may encounter. Apprenticeships may last up to four years.
</p><h3 id="section---Step3AttendCollege">Step 3: Attend College</h3><p>While an apprenticeship may prepare you for your career, many employers prefer to hire mechanics with formal training or college educations. You may obtain this experience in a certificate or associate's degree program in small engine technology. Some schools emphasize marine technology in their programs. In addition to content that overlaps with apprenticeship programs, your courses might address fundamentals of 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines, diagnostics, welding and shop organization. A practicum or internship course may be available with some programs. Associate's degree programs also require you to complete general education courses. A certificate may be earned in a year. Associate's degrees are typically earned in two years.
</p><h3 id="section---Step4ObtainEmployment">Step 4: Obtain Employment</h3><p>You can apply for positions in repair shops, docks and marinas or start your own business. However, if you choose to be self-employed you will have to promote and administer your business. You'll also need to pay for costly diagnostic equipment. Around 20,440 people worked as boat mechanics in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Between 2020 and 2030, the BLS projected employment to increase by 13%. The median salary of boat mechanics in May 2020 was $43,320.
</p><h3 id="section---Step5ConsiderASecondRevenueStream">Step 5: Consider a Second Revenue Stream</h3><p>Unless you live and work in an area of the country that is temperate year-round, consider developing a second income during cold weather months when boat owners put their boats into dry dock. A sideline repairing motorcycle, snowmobile, portable generator or other types of small engine is one way of applying your skills.
</p><h2 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h2><p>Besides boats, small engine mechanics can work on many other vehicles and motorized equipment. This includes motorcycles, outdoor power equipment and other machinery that use small motors to power them. People who like working with motors and engines may also want to consider working as an automotive service technician. These mechanics repair automobile engines as well as brake systems, transmissions and other vehicle components. Diesel service technicians do jobs similar to automotive service technicians but specialize in vehicles with diesel engines, such as buses. Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians specialize in working with heavy industrial vehicles and equipment, such as rail cars, bulldozers and tractors.</p>