Getting a job in the industry?
 

Hi everyone! I've been a lurking here off and on for the past 2-3 years. I've always had a love for powerboats, I lived on Marco Island south of Naples, Fl and now live in Orlando with our pursuit fishing boat docked at Cape Canaveral.

I noticed Velocity Powerboats is located in Sanford, Fl about 10 mins from my current job working at an FBO at the airport. I'm curious about how easy it is getting a job for one of the boat manufacturers. I'm currently 19 and pursuing my finance degree at UCF. I just wanted to get some opinions first. Thanks in advanced.

-Jason

Put more effort into pursuing your Finance Degree!!!

When I was 15yrs old A wise man (boat salesman) once told me that "once you make your hobbie your job then you will have to find another hobbie". His hobbie was classic cars.

If you love boats then find a great job in Finace so you can afford your boats. This way when you are able to take the boat out it will be much more fun and won't feel like a job.

Just my 2 cents.

Google styrene and see how that will effect your education.
Jim

I hate to rain on anyone's dreams, but...

It's probably a bad idea with bad timing thrown in for good measure. Has has been mentioned, the best way to start hating boats is by making them into a business- especially if you're sweeping the shop in an entry-level job. Second, the industry is in somewhat of a recession right now. New & used boat sales are in the toilet as are all the parts & services aimed at the boater. It's noticeable on the water- alot fewer hours are being put on these boats. Even in the marinas, most boats are staying tied to the docks on the weekends.

If you were my kid, I'd beg, bribe or threaten you to stay where you're at, nail each class, then go to grad school. If you can excel there, you'll likely excel for an employer and maybe someday excel on your own.

I too thought the same thing when I was your age.I worked in a machine shop @ Blue Thunder for a short time.Hazerdous working conditions and $5 per hr (1992 entry wages).Later I sold fountains and Motions on weekends,Wasted weekends and little$$.If you want to be around performance boats alot start your own buisness or get a good job that pays really well.Like others stated before if you work with boats all the time the last thing you will want to do on your time off is be around boats.

DON'T DO IT and NEVER WORK IN A FAMILY BUSINESS (especially if you aren't family)

always loved boating. We started selling boats 3 years ago thru our regular car dealer operation...

Now, I sometimes don't even feel anymore to go boating... I'm truely disapointed with this situation cause in fact as second post said, if you start to work in your hobby, chances are you have to find another hobby, and in fact, selling boats just does not even give me any time left to find another hobby... But I understand you question to work in a boat shop, I tought so too at one point... not anymore...

I owned and ran my own parasail business on and off for 15 years.I moved to Florida from Michigan so i could boat year round .After being out on the water doing the business all those years all i wanted to do is sit on a couch in a darkroom and watch T.V.

I also worked for my brother back in Michigan building boats ,and let me tell you unless your the guy in the office telling everybody what to do it is a dirty itchy job.Love building boats but the site of a boat makes me itch anymore.

jaysal555 - very good question!

I myself started in the food industry as a sales / marketing guy 20yrs ago and for 1st 15yrs of my career I worked in the food industry. The higher up the ladder I grew the more money I made butthe more I hated it. I then started NJ Performance Powerboat Club 10yrs ago (while in the food industry) and met alot of people in the marine industry.

5yrs ago, a good friend Bob Christie asked me to start Typhoon Performance Marine with him. So I took my leap of faith and pursued by dream!!

We got Typhoon off the ground 2yrs later with $7MM + in sales! That was awesome!!!!!!!! Traveled the poker run & boat show circuit and partied like a rock star!!!

The downside, I worked 24/7 and never had a day off. Not that I had none I just could never take one or when I did someone would need to talk to me. I also would have been divorced becuase I never spent anytime with my wife of young daughter.

Then when we went to KW on vacation for the races to relax and I would wind up taking people for demo rides, etc.... and then it was no longer a vacation.

Bank of the West / Essex Credit found me 3yrs ago and hired me to run their NJ office for Marine Financing. I was promoted 2yrs ago and now I run 1/2 the country for the bank with 12 people working for me.

I still get to talk boats everyday and get paid well for it. I also travel the boat show circuit and carry a brief case instead of moving boats in and out.

I have reached the point in my marine career that "everyday is Friday and every night is Saturday night!" I could not be happier. The only difference is that I now have alot of time to spend with my family and also I get to enjoy boating. As a dealer, I never had time for boating and wound up selling my boat because of it.

The best jobs in the marine industry in my opinion are:

1) Marine Finance & or Insurance
2) Manufactures Rep

As for dealers or service shops.......I respect all of them immensely!!!!!!!! These folks work extremely hard! They have the hardest jobs!!!

They also have a customer base that a large majority (not all) of their customers have unrealistic expectations, wants or demands!!!! and want to pay as little as possible for their boats or services rendered.

It is a very tough business to make money because of this.

When I was a dealer, even a few of my FRIENDS were some of the biggest AZZHOLES to deal with. One guy I saved $20k on a warranty job and all he could demand is that HE NEEDED HIS BOAT NEXT WEEKEND!!!!!!!! NO IFS ANDS OR BUTTS!!!

So, to sum it up.... get into Marine Financing, Insurance or a factory rep. You will be able to go boating and you will enjoy the industry immensely!

Are you just looking for something to do through school? If so, I say do it, it will help motivate you to get your butt out of there when you are finished with school. Trust me on that I worked in a foundry while I was going to school, and was more than ready to move on after graduation.

Jim

Try and get a Finance internship with Brunswick. I believe they have some offices in Fl, and they have a ton of different marine industry companies, inlcuding Mercury, Sea Ray, Baja, etc. May not be your favorite performance boats, but they are a huge corp with numerous white collar opportunities.

Been doing it for 56 years, loved every goddam minute of it. There is more to life than making a fortune.

You are one of the few. I build boats because I'm stubborn and I love proving that I can whip up on the bigger boat companies. Never made one dime of profit and I've been doing it for almost 8 years!

I work for a marina the LOTO doing fiberglass and gel coat repair. I also just bought my 3rd boat about 2 weeks ago. I love them enough I can deal with working on them and then jumping on mine a few hours later. The only thing I would change is doing something else with boats, F/G is a dirty nasty job and I don't make a fortune either. The plus side to it is when my boat needs work I can usually do it myself and sometimes have to ask for pointers in the mechanical end of it but the way I see it, I save alot of money right there.

I wish I were in your shoes and would have gone to college so I could get a higher paying job, and a cleaner one. Go work on boats if you want to while you are in school though. You will enjoy it once you get used to the constant itch! But afterwards, get something better.

I'll throw in my two cents, just because.
Get a job that (in the boat industry if you so choose) that makes you work hard, physical, nasty, dirty, and still makes reasonable money.
You're 19, and don't take this offensively, but you haven't learned a work ethic yet. Show up everyday (even if you were out til 3:00 and are hungover). And try to learn everything you can about every single aspect of the business. And if you screw something up, admit it.
I worked from 18-31yrs in construction. You learn alot - if you pay attention, and ask questions. I also did night school for a few years to get a degree, only an Associates, but I took the time to do something, because I knew I didn't want to do this the rest of my life - or if I did, it wasn't going to be in the "labor" side of it.
I now work in the optics industry in purchasing and supply for a global Co. We have machine operators (put part in machine / press start / take part out) that never learned a work ethic. They complain about the temperature, or that if they don't have gloves, and disposable sleeves, they can't work because they might get dirty (and I have to provide these).
Back in my construction days, I would have thrown a 2x4 at them and called them a puzzy. Today, HR frowns on that sort of thing.
You are in a developing stage, and working HARD and understanding deadlines, and meeting production goals at any cost (except shoddy workmanship) is an essential thing to learn.
Take it for what it's worth.

Oh, and BTW, I used to love working on houses, after too many years in the industry, I only do things around the house because I want them done for me and my wife. I've sold off many of my tools.
But, at least I know how to do them correctly, and in most cases better than if I hired them out.
I get offers all the time to come by and hang a door, or install crown mold for some extra money - I always tell 'em I hung up the tools long ago.
I'd rather have my time off.

When I was still in the business, and owned my own Co. I would ask a customer "do you want me to do "x", or "y" or "z", and they'd look at me and say "Just do it like you would in your own home". I'd start rolling up my tools. They'd say "what are you doing"? I'd say "Well, in my house, if it's 90% done, and functioning, I let it sit for 6 mos. before I actually finish it".

Wow! Thank you all for answering my question. As stated above this would be a job during school. I love motivational things, I mean I work with multi-million dollar business jets. I have been tossing around the idea to continue where I am at or pursue a different job. I have also looked into getting involved in a asset management firm but being around powerboats and working on the inside of a major manufacturer really interests me.

I will continue to ponder my next move. I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer my question. The thing is I have big dreams and don't think any paycheck will be able to fund my hobbies :).

-Jason

Good luck with whatever you do.

Never work in a family business ESPECIALLY if you ARE in the family!

Jason,

I work on boats all day and if I'm not then my employess are. If I'm not physically working on one then I'm on the phone or internet discussing one. I answer emails and calls on Sundays, evenings and even on getaways. My vacation is going to an event and either working on boats or talking about boats. Do I still love boating? Yes! Somedays I try and wrap up early, so we can hit the water. I've always been told to find something you like and make a living doing it. Just remember to have fun with whatever you choose and always try and keep a positive attitude.

BTW, I do need some P/T help in Florida. Weekends, after hours or whenever. It is marine related with lots of contacts.

Donnie

I know many people in the Marine industry, from brokers to employees at some of the top offshore builders, I have dabbled in prototype/plug work also.......there is no $$$ to be had!!!! it's a "labor of love"

If it's what you want to do go for it....but unless your a successful broker expect to work a lifetime for moderate at best wages..............

One more thing.... I used to be into cars in a big way and have made a great living from them, but honestly I can't stand cars now and that has alot to do with why I boat...........

An auto tech friend of mine always sez "I hate cars, I hate people, and I especially hate people who drive cars!":angry-smiley-055:

This is a great thread and I just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. For the last 15 years or so I have moonlighted at my friends marina on weekends. At first it was a every weekend and a few nights. This was in addition to my real job. Now its just when he is real busy or needs a long distance delivery. I have sold, done financing, gone to dealer meetings and shows and helped with minor repairs or rigging.
At the time I first started working at the marina, I didnt have my own boat, so by working at the marina it kept me around my hobby. I found it to be a nice break from my real job. People are USUALLY happy when dealing with their boats, and when you can make money off your hobby, it can make for a great learning experience. At my real job, someone is always looking to jam you. It maybe some one from the public or more recently its a co worker that is trying to sue you. I will be retiring in the next year, and on some level I plan on keeping my hand in the Marine industry. Hey Dave P. are you looking for any help? I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should give it a try. You may not want to make a career of it, but if other things go sour, you can always fall back on your maine industry skills.

I dunno, my wife and I owned and worked in our business together for over 18 years, never fought, still happily married. We must be 'special' :D :D :D

Yep, as a general rule I hate people. Most people in my opinion are just plain dumb. Let me say, I don't think that about the majority of this board, but the people on this board are not the general population of America. Most are well educated - maybe not in school, but self educated none-the-less.
To get to a point in life to own and maintain these boats takes a little more than the average Joe.
Not that that makes any of us "better" people, but it's more the people I would choose to associate with.
I've gotten to the point that I hate going to a store because I have to deal with the "stupid people" that are also shopping there.
In some way's it's turned me into a hermit.

Cars are my number 1 passion, love, and motivation. Its the reason why I refuse to work with them even though the exotic aftermarket looks attractive. I have a love for powerboats and a huge drive to own a mti cat one day but hey who doesn't.

Again thank you for everyone sharing thier stories and insight about the industry. Myself and i'm sure others greatly appreciate it.

Too late!!!!!!!! I just hired a great guy who ran F&I for a dealership for 13 years.

He starts with me Sept. 4th.

Been in the marine industry for the past 36 years from selling to repairs to building donzi bozts, worked for bertram yachts and now doing custom rigging in the high performace field and looking into other avenues getting too old for the crap

while im not as old as most of you guys are I think i could chip in on the conversation.... pretty much as long as your a " go getter " there shouldnt be any reason why you wont be able to have what you want in life. If you have the drive and motivation to be financially successful to obtain the things you would like to have along with providing for your family theres a big chance you will get there. You might not know how but itll come to you. All through out jr high and high school I was always the one who never paid any attention never did any homework never past a class. I droped out of high school at 17. The only thing I had going for myself was working for my father who owned a small mom n pop machine shop which I grew up in basically. I was operating mills n lathes in my early teens. When I had a day off from school I didnt get to sleep in and play with the rest of the kids on the block, my dad would wake me up at 6am and take me to work and actually put me to work! I hated it! but eventually I became interested in it, I educated my self figured out ways to grow the company, took CNC Programming classes at a community college once I learned programming I pushed my dad to buy a couple CNC Machines, our quality was improved! so business picked up. Then we hired more people bought more CNC machines I started a night shift before you knew it we became a multi million dollar a year corperation. I run the night shift my dad runs the day shift. Im now 25 and I consider my self successful. I Always liked boats although I could never get my dad to buy one, thanks to a lot of long hours and sacrifices that I made in the past (working from 6pm to 6am for 2 years straight no vacations) I was able to afford on my own boat which although it doesnt compare to the ones people own on this website! for me at my age owning a $160k boat is a big accomplishment on my book.


good luck

JaySal,
While I was going to school partime at a community college, I landed a job at a local family owned marine store. I started of as a detailer and worked my way up to a mechanic. It was the greatest experience I had. Like others said, I also did obtain a good solid work ethic. I am know fortunate to be able to do all the service on my Dad's and I's boat. This position did direct me to go for my BSME. While going for my 4 year this positon helped me obtain a co-op in the field I was studying for. I was fortunate that the marine job was a great stepping stone for me. But, I would advise, if you are going know for your 4-year, co-op as much as possible. It will utimetly give you an upper hand on your fellow clasmates.
Jr.
Good luck

Kudos to you!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!!


There are 3 kinds of people in this world...........

The one who makes it happen!
The one who watches what happened.
The one who wonders what the f**** happened?

MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!

By getting a finance degree you are setting yourself up to both make good money and work in the industry you love.

I love cars. With my engineering degree and MBA I'm now doing finance in Detroit for Ford. I see enough auto stuff to make my work very interesting, but it's not overkill that I still don't enjoy the hobby.

You could easily do the same thing in the marine industry with a big boat company, like the Brunswick brands I recommended earlier. Enough boats in your work to be interesting, but not overkill.

FOXMXPSYCHO- I'm impressed, I'm your age with a ton of education, and you are way ahead of me in this getting a boat game/ overall success it sounds like due to your hard work. Congratulations.