Boat Building?

Question

I am intirested becoming a boat builder when i get older. Can you tell me what kind of education i would need? I will go to a boat building school but is there any other skills that I would want for that career? Also, what are some good boat building schools in the New England area? Thank You

Answer 1

naval architect

Answer 2

There is a good school in Maine and a good school in Washington, but I forgot their names.

There are supposed to be a few really good builders in the New England area, go talk to them.

Here is my two cents worth...

I have worked for two of the best shipwrights in San Diego (still working for one at the chagrin of the other) and they never hire anyone fresh out of a US boat building school. They are European and claim that there is too much stuff taught in the US trade schools that has no relevance in today's boat building world. I have noticed how the Europeans typically are far more knowledgeable and efficient than us Americans in this trade (mind you that I'm talking about San Diego and can't comment on other areas with any fairness).

I'm not happy about this, mind you, but fair is fair... they have superior schooling and it shows more often than not.

Find a builder that does what you want and ask them for an apprentice position. Most builders want you to do it their way anyway, so they sometimes like to train people from the ground up.

If you find a builder that's into the 'romance' of boats, then maybe a trade school would benefit you.

My advice is to find the best, most reputable builder and pester them until you get an apprentice position.

Answer 3

There are alot of fields in the Boating Industry. There is boat design. If that is what you want to do then I suggest studying engineering. If you want to be a laborer and build boats with your hands then it is good old fashioned hard work for your education. The boat business is alot of fun no matter what end of it you are in. Most important is to be happy and enjoy your work.