What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

[superbenk]

I work in IT as a sr. systems administrator & team manager. It's a pretty high-stress job. I like computers & I've been doing it for about 15 years, but the stress is rough.

I grew up on the water (Finger Lakes) and got back into boating over the past couple years. I love tinkering with my boat & I like tinkering with mechanical things (engines, etc.). It got me thinking about what it's like to be a marine mechanic or do something in the marine field. Anyone out there that's doing that have anything they'd like to share?

 

[JustJason]

Re: What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

Well for starters,
You always smell like burnt gear lube, the oil washes off but the smell doesn't.
You have to twist and do a lot of contorting sometimes.
Be prepared for your share of busted knuckles.
Customers will just not understand why engine blocks crack, or why it ran fine yesterday but today it needs 2 grand worth of work.

But... I work on the water.
Chicks in bikini's most days.
The better customers tell me there is beer in the fridge. (never while i'm working or driveing, but I might grab one and take it home with me)
I get 75/hr, and 90% of the time it's cash.

If you work as a line tech for some big dealer or marina, expect 15-25 hr. They will have to do every job in the book, including toilets. (i don't do toilets). Generally, you will not be able to refuse a job. Be prepared to work for free on warranty jobs.

I don't know, it's different, and it is what you make of it. I'm happy as an independant. But I don't think I would be happy working for somebody else in a dealership.

 

[eastont]

Re: What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

And around here, most marine people only work 7-8 months of the year. One mechanic I know also works on snowmobiles, and another drives a snowplough.

I don't think either of them are rich, but they do get by.

 

[superbenk]

Re: What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

It definitely was a wide open question written mostly out of grumpiness due to a bad stretch at my current job. Sadly I don't think I'd have the know-how to jump into it on my own and would very likely be starting at the bottom which makes it pretty darn unrealistic to switch careers at this point. I make pretty good money where I am now & going to $10-15/hr would be extremely painful.

The computer tuning stuff sounds interesting. I wonder how much of that is computer knowledge & how much is engine mechanical knowledge?

Another career path that's come to mind occasionally in the marine world is writing for a marine magazine or commercial website. I love to write & have been told I do a good job with it. It'd be really fun to review boats professionally or something along those lines

Thinking....

 

[DJ]

Re: What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

I work in IT as a sr. systems administrator & team manager. It's a pretty high-stress job. I like computers & I've been doing it for about 15 years, but the stress is rough.

I grew up on the water (Finger Lakes) and got back into boating over the past couple years. I love tinkering with my boat & I like tinkering with mechanical things (engines, etc.). It got me thinking about what it's like to be a marine mechanic or do something in the marine field. Anyone out there that's doing that have anything they'd like to share?

What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

I think many would say: HELL!

Several Reasons:

1. Your customers know everything. They are much more educated on the product than you are.

2. Everybody knows that boats are simple and any idiot can work on them. See #1.

3. #1 provides an opportunity. Every customer does NOT know. Some will admit it. Most won't.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

To a person thinking about a job change into this kind of work I will ask. How many times have you taken a broken lawn mower and fixed it all by yourself?. If the answer is none or less than half a dozen you best not try to make the change. Being a mechanic is an on going thing that you have had to learn over years with a burning interest to repair engines,any engine. See my point?

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

I think many would say: HELL!

Several Reasons:

1. Your customers know everything. They are much more educated on the product than you are.

2. Everybody knows that boats are simple and any idiot can work on them. See #1.

3. #1 provides an opportunity. Every customer does NOT know. Some will admit it. Most won't.

Oh common! To me a good Marine mechanic is as close to God as you can get Most commoners just look at their serious mechanical problems and say "I give up". Wonder how in the world do you get to this without taking off that and that and that. We don't even have the special tools needed. I do the basic stuff like belts, solenoids, filters. oil etc. But there is a great fear of making things worse when dealing with the more technical stuff.
I know what you mean though because I have good customers and pia customers in my business too. Just part of dealing with the public in any service type Industry.
To be around boats all the time would be great for me. To know all you need to repair your own boat would be great too. I would need lots of schooling and hands on training since I am not a natural mechanic.
Many of us appreciate a good, honest mechanic and thank them just about every time we are out on the water in our toys. You may not here us do it, but we do

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What's it like to be a marine mechanic?

and the biggest problem is by the time yo get enough experience and training to actually understand what your doing, your old enough you dont wish to do it anymore.
you think IT is stresfull?
rebuild a motor on a 28 regulator with twin 250's knowing as soon as you release the boat they are heading out Oregon inlet for a day fishing the gulf stream off hatteras for the tuna or marlin bite, they may actually stayout overnight.
or replace a set of 8.1L engines in a 28 carolina classic and the same scene.
any mistakes you make may become appearent in a few hours,or less, and can injure or kill some one or multiple someones.
the atlantic ocean can be very unforgiving and occasionally it only allows 1 mistake.
the USCG has a motto, we have to go out we dont have to come back.
my motto is, they DONT have to go out but they DO have to come back.