Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Career Overview

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

Also Known As

• Marine Mechanic
• Marine Technician
• Mechanic
• Service Technician

Alternate Job Titles

• Boat Mechanic
• Boat Motor Mechanic
• Boat Outboard Engine Mechanic
• Boat Rigger
• Boat Tester
• Certified Marine Mechanic
• Experimental Outboard Motors Mechanic
• Marine Diesel Mechanic
• Marine Machinery Mechanic
• Marine Mechanic
• Marine Propulsion Technician
• Marine Service Technician (Marine Service Tech)
• Marine Technician
• Mechanic
• Motorboat Mechanic

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
• Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
• Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
• Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
• Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
• Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.
• Idle motors and observe thermometers to determine the effectiveness of cooling systems.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Explain repair procedures to customers.
• Repair or replace engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, water pumps, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Mechanical
• Customer and Personal Service

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Repairing
2. Equipment Maintenance
3. Troubleshooting
4. Operation and Control

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Problem Sensitivity
• Manual Dexterity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Finger Dexterity
• Control Precision
• Near Vision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Oral Comprehension

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Perseverance
• Stress Tolerance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Achievement
• Relationships

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Facebook
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• Adjustable gap spark testers
• Allen wrench sets
• Automatic center punches
• Ball peen hammers
• Battery load testers
• Battery terminal cleaners
• Bearing retainer wrenches
• Breaker bars
• Carbon scrapers
• Channel lock pliers
• Coil function testers
• Combination pliers
• Combination wrenches
• Cotter pin pullers
• Crowfoot wrenches

Work Environment

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
• In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
• Exposed to Contaminants
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$35,950
Median	$54,950
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$78,820

Workers Employed Nationally: 24,250

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.