What Certifications?

[bhammer]

Since Don can't come to TX and work on my boat for me, I have been looking around for a qualified place to take my boat to when the need for service arises and it's beyond my abilities. While I am doing my research, what certifications should I be looking for so that I get a qualified place / technician? Auto has ASE, Master techs and so forth. What are the certs used for marine technicians? I have also been talking to the folks at the ramp and get their input.

I have a Merc 4.3L MPI Alpha I.

 

[JustJason]

Re: What Certifications?

you sould be looking for somebody that's gone through Mercury University specializing in MCM.
But any good dealer should have at least 1 tech that's been though MU.....
but even that doesn't mean the guy is any good though.

 

[PSS-Mag]

Re: What Certifications?

I like to talk to the Mechanic.
Just like a job interview.

First question I ask, "If my boat isn't getting any fire. What would be the first thing you'd check?"
If they say spark plugs, distributer etc.... they failed. First thing should be the kill switch and lanyard.

 

[JustJason]

Re: What Certifications?

First thing should be the kill switch and lanyard.

First off... not every boat has a lanyard....

and secondly if you seem to know all the in's and outs about troubleshooting... then why would you even need the mechanic to talk to in the first place.

and lastly... not every shop is the mechanic going to be available to talk to. Lets say i'm flat rate and I work an 8 hour day. If i'm flat rate i essentially do not get paid breaks. Nor do i get paid to do anything but spin the wrench. If i'm in a busy shop i'll probably get 4 to 6 people a day asking to talk to me. At 10 minutes a call thats 40 to 60 minutes that I don't get paid for. The heck with that. You joe customer get to talk to the service manager. and he can sell you on me.

Now... if im a private independent mechanic. And you start telling me what i should check and what i shouldn't i'm going to kindly give your keys back to you and say "have at it guy.... you know what your doing" and i'll humblely await your return.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What Certifications?

Ayuh,.....

Certifications are Nice,+ Look Good hanging on the wall,....
But,.....
As an example,....
I have absolutely No certifications,.....
Yet I know I can out Diagnose,+ spin Wrenches with the Best of them that Do......
And I can do it on a Boat, a Truck, a Bulldozer, or about Anything else held together with Bolts........

And,.....
No,...... I have No Plans of moving to Texas.....

 

[bhammer]

Re: What Certifications?

Ayuh,.....

Certifications are Nice,+ Look Good hanging on the wall,....
But,.....
As an example,....
I have absolutely No certifications,.....
Yet I know I can out Diagnose,+ spin Wrenches with the Best of them that Do......
And I can do it on a Boat, a Truck, a Bulldozer, or about Anything else held together with Bolts........

Yes, I would agree with this. It's the same in any business. I know some aircraft technicians that don't have their FAA license and they know more and can read wiring diagrams and troubleshoot better than those that do. Same thing for those that have been through the manufacturer's program.

However, I have been to to shops. One was all about OJT and manufacturer training and the other said that he doesn't have time to send his guy to training. I tend to favor the ones who believe in training, as you are a rare breed as the the technology gets more advanced. And some of us, just have the ability to troubleshoot and fix things.

And,.....
No,...... I have No Plans of moving to Texas.....

[/QUOTE]

Ohh, come on.... The boating season starts sooner and ends later.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: What Certifications?

When researching a potential service Marina, Any certification is better..................Than no certification at all.....

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: What Certifications?

Been doing this as a profession for 26 years and about as many certificates stapled to the wall. Some are pretty faded but as for what they are worth, not a whole lot. Most certificates mean that you was able to stay awake for the class. Never saw anyone ever fail a class at any school.
Instead of looking for certificates, ask some other boaters who they use. You might be surprise what out of the way mechanic you may find that knows his business.

 

[thumpar]

Re: What Certifications?

Been doing this as a profession for 26 years and about as many certificates stapled to the wall. Some are pretty faded but as for what they are worth, not a whole lot. Most certificates mean that you was able to stay awake for the class. Never saw anyone ever fail a class at any school.
Instead of looking for certificates, ask some other boaters who they use. You might be surprise what out of the way mechanic you may find that knows his business.

I agree totally. I do network server work. With only a couple old certs I will guarantee that I can get more done in 5 mins than the guys with there fresh certs can do in a day. I get work by word of mouth and good service. Asking around at the docks is what I would do.

 

[Don S]

Re: What Certifications?

I have fired so called techs with all the fancy certs and big new Snap-On tool boxes filled with great tools.
All the tools in the world won't help if you don't have any good common sense, be able to think a problem thru (even the most basic), or use the service manuals available.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What Certifications?

I agree with DonS and some others.
just because you managed to stay awake in clas and had the credit to make weekly payments on a 5000 dollar snap-on box doent make you tech.
I got certs on the wall from suzuki,Honda.mercury,mercrusier,Tohtsu,force and yamaha. my Yamaha cert says I am a Yamaha master tech, I also have a certification of completion of a CNC maching and programming school. I also hold a primary NEC of 1121. I was an FC in the USN and completed some of the hardest electronics schools the USN has to offer along with many schools of lesser duration
my tool box was a closeout from sears and set me back about 250 dollars.
last tool box was a rubber maid tuff box.
I have worked for dealerships and as an independant for some years now.
factory training is only as good as the technicians understanding of the engine and its subsystems and how each system affects the others toward the final output.
but in the end with all my wall paper and a dollar I can still get a cup of coffee at the 7-11.
best advice is to ask around, ask your local BBC.
then pray
sometimes finding a good tech is like finding a good lawyer, you just wont know till the gavel drops.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: What Certifications?

I find it surprising that almost all the top contributers in this forum (some who are certified) dismiss or at least discount the fact a person has certified tech training. That in itself speaks volumes for the validity of the "Factory Certified Training Courses" and the industry itself.

 

[JCF350]

Re: What Certifications?

First question I ask, "If my boat isn't getting any fire. What would be the first thing you'd check?"
If they say spark plugs, distributer etc.... they failed. First thing should be the kill switch and lanyard.

Now... if im a private independent mechanic. And you start telling me what i should check and what i shouldn't i'm going to kindly give your keys back to you and say "have at it guy.... you know what your doing" and i'll humblely await your return.

Await their return? Not a chance! Wouldn't even let them back on the property.

 

[bhammer]

Re: What Certifications?

Darn, you guys just are not any help at all. I was hoping that the boating world would be different than auto.

I will agree that no one certificate, or even one of them der college edumactions says anythin about the quality but in my mind if a shop is willing to invest in their people with training, that helps to show something. We have the same problems in aviation. Got 20 Y/O kids with 30K snap-on boxes and they can't name or properly use more than half of the tools, when in actuality, a wrench & socket set, screw driver (gotta have the snap-on for that though), speed handle, multi meter and flash light will take of 90% of the jobs.

Sometimes, having a little gray hair, or little hair at all (for those follicle challenged) show experience. I've gotten pretty good ideas from the guys down at the boat ramp.

 

[JustJason]

Re: What Certifications?

The biggest problem with certifications and schools/classes is that they don't fail anybody. All they care about is weather or not you show up. It's almost like they are afraid to say "sorry kid, you don't cut it".

I remember years ago I was taking a written test for VP. It was the end of a 3 week class and this was the final. It was 50 questions, open book, open manual. Every question had to be looked up. In fact I believe that was the purpose of the test, to get you in the good habit of using service manuals.
Well.... long story short.... It took me just shy of 3 hours and I got a 96 on the test, yeah, i missed 2 questions. But there were 4 or 5 guys that all sat together and they passed theirs in all at the same time. all perfect scores, and it took them all of 25 minutes to do. They all cheated, had the answers, but the clinic instructor didn't care one bit. P!ssed me off to high hell that one did.

People say tech's are always in high demand and that there is an industry shortage. Not so. There's a shortage of GOOD techs. But the manufactorers almost promote these hacks by not kicking them out in the first place.