Maritime industry, how to start?

[s/v Groovy]

I've been considering this a for a while now and was wondering what everyone thinks. I have, yet again, become disenchanted with the corporate world, and am looking for a change. I asked Dave this question a while ago on the Renegade list serve. I was trying to determine possible routes to getting into the maritime industry, like many of you here in this forum. I've been in Sales (sold advertising and then data services) currently I'm in supply chain order and project management. The last time I left an office job I taught SCUBA for a couple of years, and had a great time. When I was in College I did install car stereos for a few years, probably the most relevant experience for working on boats. I have been told that an ABYC marine electrician can always find work.

I actually have an offer to work for Fisheries Supply here in Seattle. It would be a pay cut, but acceptable. I am thinking that this is a reasonable start in an entirely new field for me. It is a retail and wholesale store, and probably the largest marine chandlery on the West Coast. It probably isn't what I really see myself eventually doing but I would be in the industry, the knowledge I would gain and the people I could meet may just be priceless. I'll quote one of Dave's pieces of advice, "action will lead you to where you want to go". Is this a reasonable action?

I'm sure everyone has an interesting story in gaining the experience so apparent on this site, how did you get from there to here?

I have at least month to think this over as my current company just announced that we did make our profit sharing goal, and we will all be getting bonuses on April 1st (if you are still here). If I'm going to make less, at least I'd leave with a bonus in my pocket.

[Tim]

I'll quote one of Dave's pieces of advice, "action will lead you to where you want to go".

That's great advice. If you want to do something, then do it, or at least do something that leads you in an appropriate direction.

Just remember that the easiest way to make a small fortune in the marine business is to start with a large one!

I have been told that an ABYC marine electrician can always find work.

Perhaps so, but one needs the skill and experience to back up what one calls themself. While I believe that the various ABYC certifications are worthy goals for a focused tradesman, I don't believe that someone just starting out should worry about such things, and instead should concentrate on learning their chosen trade, whatever it may be. Education is valuable, but as an end to a means, not a means to an end. Some people could know the ABYC book backwards and forwards and still not know how to work on a boat, so it's best to focus on becoming a skilled tradesman first before starting to attach gold stars to your resume.

To that end, if I were you I wouldn't worry about certifications and classes, but would concentrate on gaining the experience you need in the field. One learns volumes more in the trenches than through any other means--regardless of the business. I believe that in today's society there is an overemphasis placed on "book learning" and diplomas, and not enough importance placed on the critical skills learned only by doing the job in question. Education is great, but it's not a replacement for experience.

I don't know what your skillset is, and how much experience you have, but if you want to refocus your career on the marine industry, starting out by accepting that job at Fisheries Supply might be a decent direction, even if if it isn't truly what you're hoping to eventually do. If nothing else, though, it means that you will hopefully be working in a job and field that are more interesting to you than what you are doing now, and you can still continue to pursue your goal of doing whatever it is that you'd actually like to do in the marine business. And by hob-nobbing with people in the industry, you may well make valuable connections that can help you on your way to your ultimate goal.

If you actually want to work on boats, then you should be prepared, in my opinion, to start out as the low man (assuming you plan to work for someone else) and work your way up from there--gaining invaluable experience along the way.

It's either that, or strike out on your lonesome and throw yourself to the wolves under your own shingle. Working alone and for yourself has many rewards, but don't let anyone tell you that it's easy, though--it's not for the faint of heart, nor for those lacking in knowledge and conviction.

In either instance, your skills and knowledge will help you advance. The proof is in the pudding, as they say.

[CharlieJ]

Tim said- "Just remember that the easiest way to make a small fortune in the marine business is to start with a large one!"


Amen to that. I don't know anyone who is working in the marine field to get wealthy.

I build sailboats and other small boats, and do marine repair. In between boat work I do furniture repair and refinishing, which I've done for 30 years now. I can make a WHOLE lot more money in the furniture repair end than in boat work. But it's not nearly as much fun!!

You CAN make a decent living, but it's hard work with sometimes long hours. But it sure is much more satisfying then sitting at a desk programming a computer, which I did for 17 years.

[A30_John]

Another possibility: As an alternative to starting out poor and "working your way up," consider using your ability to earn $ in the corporate world to leverage yourself into the boat world. This could manifest itself in any number of ways.. taking courses on the side to learn, then working weekends etc. on real projects, being able to buy the equipment you need to perform your "craft," and working your way into it that way. Based on what I'm seeing out there, someone who really knows what they are doing as an electronics person can do well. People who can afford major electronics can usually afford to have them installed. There's a career curve there that can lead from humble beginnings to bigger and better things without giving up the farm so to speak. Like Tim says, get the experience, get the reputation, then see where things go from there.

[Summersdawn]

I have a friend who wanted to work in the marine industry. He kept his current job, and started as a sail agent for Sails East. He soon picked up the one for Lee sails as well. Then he managed to drop those, and become the local Neil Pryde agent.

Perhaps it is possible to start slowly like this - then you can see if you like it, and what the pay is going to be like before you take the big plunge.

[FloatingMoneyPit]

then sitting at a desk programming a computer, which I did for 17 years.

Damn, I still have a decade to go!