How can I get qualified in boat maintenance, repair and spraying?

turnraintocash

We are planning to move to warmer climates and I would like to have a career in the boating industry. I would like to have some qualifications in place before I go, however after trawling the net, I could only find ONE place in cork that offered a course i boat maintenance...? Does anyone have any information on getting into this industry? It would be hugely appreciated. I would even consider doing an apprenticeship.. Thanks

fergal.b

Hi turnraintocash, you right there are not a lot of courses in Ireland I think that one Cork has ended too. A few things you could do to help you along,
1) A powerboat,VHF,and navigation course will always stand to you.

http://www.sailcork.com/index.php/powerboating/powerboating-adult

2) Most marinas have a work shop that do fiberglassing and engine repair.

http://www.malahidemarina.net/maintenance.htm

3) The RNLI and coast guard often look for volunteers to help out.

4) Some of the boat yards for you to ring.

http://www.chmarine.com/acatalog/Boatyards_Ireland.html

5) Post your question on some of the bigger boating sites, they have a few people in the business that may be able to help you out.
http://www.powerboat.ie/forums/
http://www.iwai.ie/forum/list.php?1
http://www.afloat.ie/index.php?option=com_kunena

Best of luck, hope this helps a bit.

Tabnabs

It may be that the warmer climate you are heading to has an established boat building industry. If Aus or the US for example then you will learn far more there than here. Our boat building industry is minuscule. They have established industries and are far ahead in terms of training and apprenticeships.

turnraintocash

Hi guys, thats brilliant thank you for all the links! We are actually thinking of moving to the Canaries, I was considering doing a Yacht master course, we want to swap this dismal indoor life with rotten weather for a sunny outdoors lifestyle and enjoy ourselves!! My other half wanted to become involved with boat spraying and maintenance, even more so than mechanics, but we didnt know if it all went hand in hand.. I will post on those sites you gave me. Thanks again!!

fergal.b

There is not much spraying involved in boats, most of the colours are in the gelcoat when the boat is made and the antifoul is put on with a brush as it's quite thick.
Boat detailing might be another thing to look into.
http://www.oceanireland.com/services/boat-detailing/

geminidawn

I hold 19 formal qualifications in Yacht and Boat Building. I also now hold the qualification to teach others. I looked into opening a Yacht and Boatbuilding School here in Ireland but the bureaucrats and the powers that be made it next to impossible to get any headway.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055634347

I had to get my qualifications in the UK as there are none available here, some places in the UK demand that you have some form of qualification on paper before they let you near a boat for insurance reasons and it's soon becoming that way accross the rest of Europe.
There are still a few Boat Building schools in the UK offering 1-2 year courses, look for courses in GRP though, that's where the work is.