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Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

People classed as Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines. With a code of RCI, this is mostly a job for people drawn to hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Conventional interests also help, rated 3.9 out of 7. The preparation level is medium preparation, typically one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. O*NET’s skill data points to repairing, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting as the ones to build. Expect to start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Repairing
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on repairing and equipment maintenance.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Boat Mechanic
  • Boat Motor Mechanic
  • Boat Rigger
  • Marine Mechanic
  • Marine Propulsion Technician

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.