Diesel Tech

[keyspc]

id give my left nut for someone that could get an alternator on this damnn Vetus!!
No realy, im cash poor like many i meet that arent on gold-platers. But i can and do trade computer work and pay resonible cash for resonible rates when i got it.

[Hillbillyfunk]

You guys have made your bias against mechanics quite clear but not answered the new users' question, perhaps you should consider that by acting like jerks you may put many new users off not only the cruising life style but also the cruisers forums.

[funcpl]

Wow! Thanks for all the input... I'm not a forum pounding person. In fact, this is one of my first posts. I get the impression that diesel techs, mechs, gearheads or however one is summond, are in the same club as police officers - Cuss them when they are behind you, but if one is needed at your door. "Where in the hell are they?" No, I do not need to make a living sailing and would be foolish to think I could. I'm just wondering if it's possible for someone to make a go of it along with bartering. If I post again I'll be more specific...
Cheers, and thanks for the kind words.

[Weyalan]

This might be a silly question, but:
What is the difference between a diesel technician and a diesel mechanic?

[Artif]

Hi
My first post but had to comment on this thread.
I completed a 4 year marine engineering apprenticeship + 2 years at college.
On finishing my apprenticeship I went contracting and ended working on and building a variety of different mechanical projects, from nuclear power stations to Inmarsat 4 satellites (yes I was one of the techs that built them).
Marine techs/engineers are well respected throughout many industries because of their wide ranging skills and knowledge.

Everywhere that is except the marine trade.

Many owners of boats expect their grotty smelly lump of iron to fire up on demand and work faultlessly despite been sat idle for 11.5 months in a corrosive damp environment. Of course it was the last engineer to touch the engines fault that it doesn't work and nothing at all to do with the cheapest engine (volvo) the boatbuilder could find that would fit or the cheapest wiring that would meet the requirements.

Despite living on my trawler for several years on the Hamble, I kept the fact I was a Marine engineer very quiet, because most boat owners are a complete pain in the ass to work for.
I love working on boats but I am very very selective whom I will work for, the good owners are very few and far between.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by Artif

. . . Despite living on my trawler for several years on the Hamble, I kept the fact I was a Marine engineer very quiet, because most boat owners are a complete pain in the ass to work for.
I love working on boats but I am very very selective whom I will work for, the good owners are very few and far between.

Very good summary. Unfortunately the diesel "techs" who will work for nothing and help out rarely know what they are doing anymore than you do. The diesel mechanics who know what they are doing stay quiet for the above quoted reasons.
- - However there is an exception when you really know and like the other cruiser and know he/she is kind and appreciative - then helping out is fun and might get you a good dinner or a bottle of wine. But you will be very unlikely to make any money at it - and you really don't want to make any money as that brings all kinds of "obligations" and implied warranties/guarantees about your work.

[dohenyboy]

I have this opinion as a pretty competent DIYer but one who would rather pay for someone to do it right the first time.
If I were you just draw the line at doing work for people for free or to help out. Few will appreciate it. If you do not value your time enough to give a written estimate before you start working, they will not value you.
Just let those people know you are more or less retired. Or that your wife will get upset if you take the time out of your "retirement" do do it.
If you want to be helpful just give them an idea of what to do. Diagnostic help for example. let them know you do not want to deprive them of the joy of doing their own work.
Once in a while you will find someone like me who values your work and has the money to pay you. work for them.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by funcpl

My wife and I are casting off in a couple of years. (We both can't wait) I'm a diesel technician and wondering if I could make somewhat of a living while crusing.
Cheers,

Not knowing where in the world the OP is from means a generic answer to the original question.
- - If you intend to remain in your home country while cruising then you have to deal with things like employment or self-employment taxes which comes in a variety of forms; then liability insurance especially if you are charging for your work; then local licensing requirements; and finally pressure from other local diesel techs who will not appreciate your "horning-in" on their turf.
- - If you intend to cruise the world - outside your home county or E.U. type thing; then you have some of the same considerations as above and added to that - work permits and local "payoffs" to politicians and other officials. Add to that the possible "direct remedies" from the locals whom you are taking money/business away from that they need to feed their families.
- - Those are the primary reasons, actual cruisers with "skills" - diesel or otherwise, do not charge for their work which is carefully labeled "assistance to the boat owner." Officially the boat owner is "doing the work" and you are advising and assisting without pay/compensation.
- - As is extensively discussed in other threads about working while cruising, you just cannot go anywhere and start collecting money/pay for work without dealing and satisfying the local regulations. Doing so can result in at best - being told to leave the country forthwith; and at worst being fined and/or jailed. Or worse yet - deported which will terminate your international travels for a very long time as few if any countries will allow you to enter when you have a "Deported" stamp in your passport.

[SVHALLEL]

Originally Posted by funcpl

My wife and I are casting off in a couple of years. (We both can't wait) I'm a diesel technician and wondering if I could make somewhat of a living while crusing.
Cheers,

My trade is a diesel mechanic also. I tell people I do not do side work. My question is where are ya gonna put all the tools? They are very heavy and the tool ya need is always the one you did not bring. I usually just lend my fellow boaters a hand and then get some fellowship and a cold beverage. Most of the side work you will get is large power boats and they will take special tools (remember the ones you do not have). Sometimes you can trade professions and that works well for both parties. The next thing would be parts. And last off getting paid. I say forget about the job and enjoy your cruise. Happy sails,

[SVHALLEL]

Originally Posted by osirissail

Very good summary. Unfortunately the diesel "techs" who will work for nothing and help out rarely know what they are doing anymore than you do. The diesel mechanics who know what they are doing stay quiet for the above quoted reasons.
- - However there is an exception when you really know and like the other cruiser and know he/she is kind and appreciative - then helping out is fun and might get you a good dinner or a bottle of wine. But you will be very unlikely to make any money at it - and you really don't want to make any money as that brings all kinds of "obligations" and implied warranties/guarantees about your work.

I agree with ya )

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

This might be a silly question, but:
What is the difference between a diesel technician and a diesel mechanic?

That's easy. A "Diesel Tech" is recently graduated from a school and thinks they know everything. A "Diesel Mechanic" is older than sin and has seen most everything that a diesel engine can do to malfunction and knows he has yet to see everything.
- - I give my money to the diesel mechanic as most of the "stubborn" problems with diesel engines defy logic and text book answers. The simple ones you can solve yourself - but the "weird ones" need a diesel mechanic who has been one for longer than you have been alive.

[bstreep]

Wow. Sorry for the "welcome". Welcome to CF!

I think I can sum up the above opinions this way:

You MIGHT get a little work legally. You don't want to risk violating local laws by "working" without a permit. This comes up just about any time someone thinks about "working my way around the world".

HOWEVER, if you consider "alternate forms of payment", such as adult beverages, a meal or 2, gifts, or making great friends, you might be able to supplement your travels doing some repair work. Lots and lots of donations into the Karma Bank.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Artif

Marine techs/engineers are well respected throughout many industries because of their wide ranging skills and knowledge.

Everywhere that is except the marine trade.

Many owners of boats expect their grotty smelly lump of iron to fire up on demand and work faultlessly despite been sat idle for 11.5 months in a corrosive damp environment. Of course it was the last engineer to touch the engines fault that it doesn't work and nothing at all to do with the cheapest engine (volvo) the boatbuilder could find that would fit or the cheapest wiring that would meet the requirements.

Despite living on my trawler for several years on the Hamble, I kept the fact I was a Marine engineer very quiet, because most boat owners are a complete pain in the ass to work for.
I love working on boats but I am very very selective whom I will work for, the good owners are very few and far between.

Welcome, Artif, I am also based on the Hamble -- although not for much longer if my number comes up at the much cheaper public marina in Southampton.

I think you might be being a little to hard on yachtsmen. Some of us, it is true, don't appreciate what it takes to keep our boats running and take out our frustration on the mechanics who attempt to do so. But most of us really do appreciate good mechanical work, I think, especially those of us who have done reasonably complex mechanical work ourselves, and who do at least some of our own work on our own engines.

You should also keep in mind that many of us have had legitimately bad experiences with diesel techs. I've had a few bad ones myself. The official Yanmar dealers were unable to find the cause of a smoking problem on my engine when I bought the boat a couple of years ago. At the vast expense of the seller, they took off and overhauled the injection pump, took off and overhauled the turbocharger, took off and ultrasonically cleaned the injectors, and all kinds of other things before I finally told them to stop and accepted the boat with the smoking uncured (to this day uncured by the way).

Then last fall I had power loss while crossing the Channel in a storm, and called in a tech in Weymouth where I ended up limping in. At considerable expense he pulled off this and that and pronounced a verdict that I had a cracked exhaust manifold, and proposed to pull that off and have it tested under pressure in a special pressurized oven, at vast expense, needless to say. I poked around myself and decided that perhaps the problem was actually caused by the engine being overfilled with oil (discussed and dismissed by the tech). I pumped some oil out and the engine has been as good as new ever since.

Of course no one is perfect.

[JamuJoe]

Wow - the OP took quite a bit of bashing for his simple note. I agree with the comments regarding work permits and the challenges of trying to operate a business in foreign countries (I've worked in several). I hate to see the discouragement on helping other cruisers with whatever skills you have, though, and either bartering for compensation or just 'paying it forward'.

I was stuck in Honduras with a cracked cylinder on one of my Yanmar 4JH3E's. This is not a place where you simply call for a qualified technician or mechanic. At the dock was a Kiwi cruiser who had been a diesel mechanic, and he graciously offered to help me. Sweating together, we rebuilt that engine in situ, ordering parts from Mac Boring and arranging innovative deliveries. The rebuilt engine was a success, I learned a good bit about my engines, and we became best friends. I reciprocated with beverages and meals, and helped him sail his boat down to Panama and through the canal.

Cruisers in remote places (not weekend sailors out of marinas in the USA) can be of great help to each other, and will find reward in doing so.

You may not be able to earn a cruising living as a mechanic, but your adventure will be enriched by meeting and helping other cruisers as you are able to do so.


OP

Originally Posted by funcpl

My wife and I are casting off in a couple of years. (We both can't wait) I'm a diesel technician and wondering if I could make somewhat of a living while crusing.
Cheers,

[Allan S]

Welcome aboard, my apologies for the, ahem, abrasive responses. This forum is usually much better that that. Don't give up on us.