Boat builder

Boat builders build, maintain, repair and restore boats using materials such as wood, glass reinforced plastic and steel. They use hand and power tools to cut, shape and put together the materials.

Also known as:

Marine craftsperson
Yacht builder

Work activities

Boat builders build a range of boats including powerboats, yachts, narrowboats and dinghies. They also maintain, repair and restore boats and fittings. Boat builders work with a range of materials including wood, glass or fibre reinforced plastic, alloys and steel. The work involves cutting, shaping and putting together the boat building materials using hand and power tools.

When building a new boat, the boat builder uses plans given to them by a boat designer. To make a traditional wooden boat, the boat builder makes the moulds that give the boat its shape. The boat builder then puts the moulds onto a building frame. Following this, the boat builder builds the hull of the boat, which is made up of the keel, stem and transoms. The processes and methods of building boats with materials other than wood, such as steel and carbon fibre are similar, although the boats are often made on a production line in a factory. Many modern boats are made in factories.

As well as building the boat itself, some boat builders also fit out the boat with furniture and install systems such as plumbing and lighting. The exact tasks of boat builders vary. For example, in a large company, a boat builder may work on one area of boat building. In a small company, a boat builder may work on the whole project from start to finish.

Personal qualities and skills

As a boat builder, you need:

To be accurate and pay attention to detail.
To be able to work well with your hands and be able to understand plans.
Maths skills, for calculating angles and taking measurements.
To be physically fit for lifting and moving materials and for moving about on and around the boats.

The main future skills gaps for the industry are:

Assembly line/production robotics.
CNC machine operation.
Computer aided engineering (CAE).
Electronics.
Materials requirement planning.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for boat builders vary depending on the craft skills of the individual. Boat builders earn in the range of £16,000, rising to £35,000 with experience.

Boat builders work 45-47 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Shift work and weekend work may be required.

Employers include large companies that build and repair seagoing ships and other vessels. Opportunities for boat builders occur in shipyards in coastal towns and cities throughout the UK. Most large employers are based in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Smaller firms building/repairing small craft are based around coastal areas of the UK, and in Norfolk (Norfolk Broads).

What’s happening in this work area?

Companies have continued to win new contracts, and most have long-term plans, since often a large project can take five to 10 years to complete. There is a lot of competition in this industry from suppliers and boat building yards that are based abroad.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

A level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship as a boat builder is a great place to start. Apprenticeship training includes day- or block-release to a college or training centre. City and Guilds also offers certificates in boat building, maintenance and support at levels 2 and 3. Other boat building courses are also available at colleges throughout the UK.

Alternatively, some people enter the work after training in related areas like carpentry, joinery, engineering, welding or plumbing.

Boat builders can progress to specialist posts or to team leader/supervisor positions after further training and experience.

Qualifications

Entry requirements vary. You don’t always need educational qualifications to enter this work. However, some employers ask for GCSEs in subjects such as English, maths, science, and design and technology. Other relevant qualifications are also accepted.

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme..

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills gained in relevant craft trades such as carpentry, engineering or electrical work can be useful. The normal entry requirements for college courses are sometimes relaxed for applicants with relevant work experience.

Related careers

Carpenter/joiner
Maritime engineering technician