Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools

Navigation

You are here: Home › Careers › Australian Careers › Careers Descriptions › Marine Construction Careers › Boat Builder

Boat Builder

Boat builders make and repair sailing, fishing, pleasure and motor boats. They may also design vessels or assist naval architects with the design of vessels.

 

Tasks & duties

Boat builders may do some or all of the following:

  • make patterns of the vessel's parts
  • select the correct materials to be used from a full range of composite materials, timber, alloy and steel 
  • make the framework of the vessel
  • cut and attach planks to the framework
  • strengthen and seal the vessel
  • fit the engine, beds, deck beams and decking to the vessel
  • build interior/exterior cabinetry
  • construct wheel and deck houses or cabins
  • repair and maintain vessels
  • may complete electrical, plumbing, painting and joinery work on the vessel
  • may use computer-aided design (CAD) software to draw a full plan of the vessel (lofting)

 

Specialisations

Boat builders may specialise in composite, wood, alloy or steel boat construction.

 

Skills & knowledge

Boat builders need to have:

  • knowledge of different boat building methods
  • knowledge of different types of boat building materials, such as resin, fibreglass, steel and timber, their properties and how they are used
  • the ability to interpret diagrams, rough sketches and computer-aided design (CAD) drawings
  • carpentry and engineering skills
  • technical skills such as the ability to install machinery and other equipment on board a boat
  • practical skills such as electrical wiring, plumbing and painting
  • mathematical ability
  • read/write ability
  • an awareness of safe working practises
  • knowledge of trends in boat design

 

Entry requirements

To become a boat builder you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a qualification in the area of boat building you wish to specialise in such as composite, wood, alloy or steel.

Qualifications can include national certificates in composite boat building, alloy boat building, marine systems engineering or marine cabinet making. 

 

Secondary education

Three years of secondary school education is preferred. Useful subjects include workshop technology (metalwork and woodwork), maths, science or technical drawing.

 

Training on the job

Many boat building skills are gained on the job.

 

Useful experience

Previous boating experience is of benefit for boat builders, while woodwork, electrical wiring, plumbing and other aspects of the building construction trade may also be useful.

 

Related courses

Marine Construction

 

For more information, please refer to myfuture.

Document Actions