This means more opportunities for boat mechanics. And since boats and outdoor power equipment are used seasonally, a marine mechanic can find other work and service other types of equipment during the winter. So what's in store for an aspiring marine mechanic? Read on.

A Day in a Life of a

Marine Mechanic

So what exactly is a marine mechanic anyway? It's simple -- marine mechanics repair equipment of inboard and outboard marine engines. As most large engines require periodic service to minimize the chance of breakdowns, it's the job of the boat mechanic to keep boats running and operating at peak performance. Above keeping the engine in check, some can say marine mechanics keep boat enthusiasts safe in the sea.

The daily duties of a boat mechanic include inspection and cleaning brakes, electrical systems, plugs, carburetors, and other small parts. After he or she inspects the many functions of a boat, a marine mechanic will adjust and repair the parts that don't work properly. Sometimes replacing unfixable parts of a boat occurs. All of this routine maintenance is just part of a boat mechanic's typical day on the job.

Aside from the routine duties of a boat mechanic, he or she will also repair equipment upon breakdowns. Marine mechanics use various techniques to find the source of a problem and fix it. It is for this reason that a marine mechanic should be great at problem solving, as well as have extensive knowledge on the equipment he or she is repairing.

A Marine Mechanic's Workplace
While a boat mechanic usually works in a repair shop that's well lit and ventilated, sometimes they work right at the marinas or docks. Depending on the boat's service issue, equipment may be brought directly to the repair shop or a marine mechanic may have to make a "marina call" (as opposed to a house call) if the piece is to large to remove from the boat itself.

Marine mechanics work in all sorts of weather conditions - if there's a thunder storm, a boat still needs to be repaired so it can sail when the weather is back to normal. On occasion, a marine mechanic might schedule time-consuming engine overhauls, and work in a more organized and timely fashion.

Getting Hired as a Marine Mechanic
Because the marine service trade can be complex, employers prefer to hire marine mechanics who graduate from formal training programs. Mechanic training schools can be so broad (with all the different trades out there), that a boat mechanic pretty much gets most of his intricate lessons and refined skills on the job or while working in related occupations.

Mechanics in training usually learn the routine service tasks under the guidance of experienced mechanics they work under. They'll show them the tricks to the trade, and then they'll perform tasks. They say up to three years of on-the-job training may be necessary before a novice mechanic becomes competent in all aspects of repair. Once you get a job as a mechanic, your employer may even send you to a specialized training workshop to secure you know what you're doing.