Nobody ever said fair, but really....how do you define fair? If the boats are being produced properly and in a timely-as-possible fashion by cheap labor why would a business pay more? Business isn't charity.
Also you have to remember in hobby market segments there is always up and down times. You have to make your money while the making is good. When those lean times hit and boats aren't selling those low wage guys can go off and mow lawns, dig holes, bag groceries, etc etc. The ones on top who are paying 100k a month for building leases, insurnace, etc are still on the hook for that.

I agree with all of your points 100%.......the point was the labor rate for boat building/auto building doesn't correspond with the quality or end price of the product. Paying more might be morally right but it takes something already expensive and prices it out of the market.

Repair techs certainly do have a higher skill level than assembly workers.

As a point of reference, C-List has this same post for workers and right below it was Marine Concepts advertising for $9 to sew boat covers. The area simply doesn't support high wage jobs in the marine industry.

Marine Concepts, a growing company located in Kaiser, MO, is searching for candidates who would enjoy sewing and want to become part of our team. We manufacture boat covers for the surrounding area and are adding dealers yearly. Currently we are seeking seamstress/sewers. Experience is helpful but we will train serious inquires. This position is not production line assembly. You will learn how to sew together an entire boat cover from start to finish. Attention to detail is necessary as well as the ability to MANUAVER up to 50 pounds.

This is fulltime work M-F with weekends off.

$9.00

Wow, in a few week this won't even be minimum wage here in Michigan.

What is the labor rate per hour from the OP shop / dealership ?. 150 per hour is my guess ? I understand its a big shop and high over head, But surely there is alot of deep money backing here. I would question mark the quality of work and the end results of a certified tech ONLY being paid 20 bucks per hour. No way in hell a good certified tech trained whom paid his dues in classes - online pre course requirements and the many current classes needed that passes all the testing for certifications is signing up for 20 bucks per hour or 20 bucks per billable hour . Anyways good luck hiring as I know one of the hardest things to do is hire someone extremely great at working on boats for the past 10 years. You have a better shot at winning the lottery. Just saying been there many of times

$9 a hour! Holly hell I made $9 a hour in highschool. That was 1981-82,,,,

I could give you an example of the quality of work but at the request of the victim I'll refrain. Needless to say they'll never see his boat again.

Damn dude, you're old as dirt..................................but still a couple years behind me.https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...ons/icon10.gif

$9/hr in HS in the early 80's? I was making $4/hr. which was more than minimum wage at the time and thought I was shatting in tall cotton.

1985 minimum wage in Florida was 3.35 an hour. It shot up to like $3.70 within a year or so. I switched jobs and got $5 an hour and I was living the dream!

By late 80's I was working at a wealthy country club as a golf bag attendant/cart guy. I was pulling down $400 a week in season working 3.5 days a week then detailing cars for the members for another 100-200 a week. Washing, armour all tires, clean glass, vacuum interior $15-20 but smart enough to know waxing was to be avoided (too much work, too little return!). The regulars were great as I just took the car every week while they were playing so I had a 4-5 hour window to get it done. Some guys never even had passengers (vac lines were still in the carpet from the week before!). Got to drive 911/928s, a 308/328 on occasion, and plenty of Vettes/Lincoln LSC coupes, etc.

$9,10, 20 an hour today for a serious job is a joke.......

Yes , I was working at a apartment complex painting, helping with the renovations etc. had started there 2 years before taking care of the yard and whatever work needed done.
Made it easy to dump money in my 70 SS Chevelle clone and have a winter beater. Then motorcycles.