Boat builder
Boat builders construct, repair and refit marine craft from small sailing boats to large sea-going vessels.
Typical Salary
£24,000 – £42,000
per year
Working Hours
40–47
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a boat builder, you could:
- plan out work in line with design instructions
- create decks and hulls from fibreglass and laminates
- make and assemble wooden furniture and fittings
- join boat sections using welding equipment or resins
- service and repair engines
- refit vessels, for example with new electrics or plumbing
- install navigation and communications equipment
- apply finishes using varnishes and paints
- carry out safety and quality checks
Skills needed
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- design skills and knowledge
- maths knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to learn through your work
- excellent verbal communication skills
- persistence and determination
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- a course with a commercial training provider
Career progression
With experience and qualifications, you could become a marine technician or engineer.
You could also move into:
- boat design
- marine surveying
- boat yard management
- maritime sales and support
You could use your skills to transfer to other branches of engineering or into construction.