Boating — December 2018

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BOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 14 | BOATINGMAG.COM

Kaitlyn Schneider is the first woman to take

a job as a technician at the Lakeside Marina

in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She won the job after

attending the Mercury-sponsored Marine

Mechanics Institute in Orlando, Florida. Here’s

what she has to say about her career choice.

— Pete McDonald

Kaitlyn

Schneider,

Marine Mechanic

When did you attend Marine Mechanics Institute?

I went there from August 2013 to August 2014, one year. I

started at Lakeside Marina in September 2014.

Were you the only woman at the institute?

There were two other women in my class and two others

in different classes. I was the youngest girl and close to the

youngest student there.

Did you grow up on the water?

Yes, I spent every summer weekend in Sturgeon Bay,

Wisconsin. I loved every minute of it.

What drew you to a career working on boats?

I always thought of being a naval architect, but after getting

into working on automotive engines, I made the leap over to

the marine side after hearing a presentation by a rep from

Marine Mechanics Institute.

What’s a typical problem with today’s engines?

Mostly, it’s people forgetting to do maintenance, but noth-

ing else that consistent. It’s something different every time.

Do friends ask you to fix their boats for free now?

Most of my friends don’t have boats yet. I’m in the clear there. PHOTO: COURTESY MERCURY MARINE

To read the full

interview, scan

this tag or go to

boatingmag

.com/marine-

mechanic.