Boat builder jobs vary depending on the type of vessel being built and may involve electrical components, plumbing, engineering tasks, or painting. Safety equipment is provided to combat hazards, and boat builders may be required to use power or hand tools. Apprenticeship programs are available, and boat building kits are also an option. The military offers boat building opportunities that require advanced knowledge of materials and design.
Boat builder jobs depend on the type of vessel being built and what the factory or manufacturer requires employees to know. Building an aluminum fishing boat is different from designing and assembling superyachts, for example. Boat builder jobs can also focus on electrical components, plumbing, engineering tasks or painting the finished product. People working in this field also often repair boats as needed.
Unless the boat builder is self-employed, he usually works in a factory that mass-produces a specific type of vessel. The employee may be exposed to excessive dust, noise and fumes from resins or varnishes used in trade. Typically, safety equipment is provided to combat these hazards. Boat builders sometimes work in tight spaces and they shouldn’t be afraid of heights if they are working on large ships.
A boat builder may also be required to use power tools or hand tools. Boat designers need to be good at math and competent at sketching and sketching, sometimes using a computer. While most boat builders can get a job without having a higher education, it often helps if the worker completed carpentry or science classes while in high school. Previous experience on the construction site is sometimes also useful.
Fiberglass boats usually come from a mold and contain fiberglass coated with a resin. A boat builder working with lightweight aluminum uses sheets of the material that are welded together. Steel hulls are more difficult to build due to the increased weight and need for proper vessel balance.
Apprenticeship programs are available in some areas for those looking to enter a career as a boat builder. These courses usually range from three to five years of study and on-the-job training. Depending on the employer, the apprentice may have to pay all or part of the program costs, plus travel expenses if necessary.
Boat building kits are available for the person who wants to learn how to build a boat in their spare time. They come with illustrated instructions that guide the boat builder through each step of the process. Popular kits are available for wooden fishing boats, canoes and motor boats.
The military also offers boat building opportunities, but generally requires more advanced knowledge of materials and design. Naval ships have higher maintenance requirements that affect how they are built. A job in the military typically requires a technological education, as well as advanced knowledge of complex design, materials, and tidal and wave characteristics. Installing various mechanical components on a ship increases the number of boat building jobs in this area.
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