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Why choose an ABYC Certified Technician?

21/2/2026

ABYC or the American Boat and Yacht Council is the recreational marine repair standardization organization. The American Boat & Yacht Council is committed to enhancing your boating experience by prioritizing safety and enjoyment on the water. Boats using ABYC Standards are 43% to 47% less likely to have certain accidents and reduce fatality risks by 26% to 58% when compared to non-certified boats. ABYC standards not only decrease accident occurrences but also lessen their severity.

If you’ve ever had your car repaired with an ASE certified technician, then you already know the benefits of having a certified technician do your repairs. ABYC is to recreational vessels as ASE is to vehicles. Not only are vessels repaired to ABYC standards but vessels can also be built to ABYC standards. If your vessel manufacturer has committed to being an ABYC member it shows they are taking the time and effort to build to industry standards and best practices. Those manufacturers want to build the most safe and well built vessel they can. ABYC standards are not legally mandated so some manufacturers can choose to not comply with ABYC. If your builder or marine technician is ABYC certified it shows they are going above and beyond to ensure their workmanship.

In order to become an ABYC certified technician you have to have 2 years of experience in the marine repair industry. In addition you are required to pass knowledge and skills tests in your areas of expertise. These areas can be; Electrical, Diesel, Composits, or many others. Most of these examinations are over 100 questions pertaining to the specific area of study. The standards are derived from manufacturer requirements, USCG, NFPA, and decades of knowledge, rigorous testing, and verification that the given standard works. Each year the standards are reviewed to ensure they are always relevant with the current technologies available to the marine industry.

As an ABYC member you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, standards, and trainings. This helps your certified technician to more easily troubleshoot and repair any issues you may have. If you have an ABYC certified technician that wants to expand his area of expertise he could become an ABYC Certified Master Technician. After the technician has gained certification in at least 3 different areas of study they are designated a Master Technician. This designation honors marine professionals who have demonstrated expertise and commitment to continuous education.

Here at Marine Craft we are proud of our workmanship and are always striving to be better technicians and advisors. We have ABYC Master Technicians and certified technicians on staff ready to help you with your next repair or upgrade. Contact us today to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose an ABYC Certified technician?

Boats serviced to ABYC standards are 43–47% less likely to experience certain accidents and reduce fatality risks by 26–58% compared to non-certified work. Certified techs follow proven safety protocols.

Do I need ABYC certification for boat repairs?

Not legally required, but highly recommended. ABYC-certified technicians meet strict safety standards that lower fire and shock risks—many insurers and surveyors now prefer or require it for complex jobs like lithium upgrades.

Do non-certified technicians have access to the latest ABYC standards?

Possibly—if the shop is an ABYC member, they may have access. Only ABYC members can view the most current standards for vessel repair and maintenance.

Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 21 February 2026

Outboard engines

10/2/2026

Yamaha outboards ready to be serviced.

Marine Craft is always looking advance our skills and knowledge. We have one of our technicians Easton D. attending the 9 week long course for Yamaha Marine certification at Chapman School of Seamanship. Marine Craft has Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certifications in the Introduction to Outboard Systems, Portable Engines F/T 9.9, Midrange Engines F30/40, Inline Engines F/LF 150B and V-Engine 4.2L Offshore Platforms.

Our core mission is providing world class repairs for the marine industry. We take great pride in our skills and knowledge. If you are looking to have your boat professionally maintained or repaired we can provide you with the quality work you can be proud of. We stand behind all of our workmanship.

If you want to know more about this great program you can read more on the Chapman School of Seamanship website.

If you are looking to have your outboard professionally maintained let us know at Marine Craft and we can help get you ready for fun on the water this Spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Marine Craft work on outboard engines?

Yes—our trained and certified technicians handle all outboard needs, from annual service to complete repowers.

How often should I have my outboard engine professionally serviced?

At least annually, but always follow your operator's manual for the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

Can Marine Craft help me select a new outboard engine for my boat?

Yes, we consult with boat owners daily to match the best engine options to their vessel. Contact us at 252-571-9980 to discuss your needs.

Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 10 February 2026

Recurring issues on recreational vessels Part 1

7/2/2026

Romex Wire

Residential Wire VS Marine Wire

Since I am fortunate enough to inspect hundreds of vessels I have seen several recurring issues. In this series we’ll discuss some of the issues I see more often. One of those issues is utilizing land based residential materials on vessels. This can be hazardous for numerous reasons on a vessel. Your land based home isn’t normally subjected to near constant motion, crashing into large waves, routinely splashed with salt water, among other environmental differences. Due to this marine grade materials are manufactured to different standards. One of the basic differences is wiring. In a residential electrical system solid strand wire or “Romex” is the standard for most residential applications. Your home wiring system normally uses a triple strand insulated conductor. Inside of the insulation there are three conductors; an insulated neutral, an insulated line, and a ground that is normally wrapped in a brown paper wrap. These solid single strand conductors can crack or completely break over time due to the vibration of the vessel that is transferred to the wiring. Romex is also not a tinned wire. Marine grade wire that is tinned is more resistant to corrosion than simple unprotected copper wire.

Romex connections are normally made with threaded connectors or “wire nuts”. These wire nuts are not water proof and the screw on cap may become lose over years of vibration on a boat resulting in intermittent open circuits or worse a short if the wires become completely disconnected and the line comes into contact with another neutral or ground.

Wire that is designed for marine use contains multiple strands inside of a conductor. Marine grade wire is also tinned. This tinned wire is more resistant to corrosion than bare copper wire will be. Marine grade wire insulation can have different heat ratings as well. Normally marine grade wire installed on a vessel is rated to 105C. Marine grade wire insulation is also resistant to petroleum and other contaminates normally in a vessel machinery space. Romex wire does not need to meet these standards for normal residential use.

Since wire nuts are not permitted per the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards we will use butt connectors. There is more on how to install different connectors such as nylon or heat shrink. Different tools are required for each type. Butt connectors can be used to join two wires into one. If we are joining multiple conductors into one then we can use ring terminals and a buss bar. This creates a secure connection to all conductors on the buss bar. There are standards on how to stack multiple connectors, how many connectors can be installed on each stud and other requirements to make a safe and compliant electrical system. This part one is only scratching the surface on the procedures put in place by ABYC to ensure you have a safe and fun time on the water.

Some of the ABYC standards we discussed here are
E11.15.3.8 Twist-on connectors (i.e., wire nuts) shall not be used.
E11.15.4.1.1 Junction boxes, cabinets, and other enclosures in which electrical connections are made shall be weatherproof or installed in a protected location, to minimize the entry or accumulation of moisture or water within the boxes, cabinets, or enclosures.

If you are looking to upgrade your electrical system let us know at Marine Craft and we can help ensure you have a great time on the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use residential wiring on a vessel?

No, never install residential wire (like Romex) or standard household connections on a boat. Marine environments demand tinned, marine-grade wire to resist corrosion and vibration.

What wire should I use on my boat?

Always choose marine-grade, tinned copper wire from a reputable source. Visit our supply store at www.marinecraftsupply.com for the right options.

Are wire nuts permitted on vessels?

No—wire nuts are not allowed. ABYC E-11.15.3.8 specifically forbids them due to vibration and corrosion risks. Use proper marine crimp connectors or terminals instead.

Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 07 February 2026