Introduction to Marine Industry: Project Plan
Project Overview
This project provides comprehensive education in marine industry operations, technical skills, and entrepreneurship. The class integrates six key technical areas (business/entrepreneurship, dock maintenance, engine servicing, electronics, propeller tuning, and welding) into a cohesive business plan for "Full Throttle Marine," a marine services business specializing in older boat models.
Project Goals
- Develop foundational technical skills in marine industry operations
- Understand business fundamentals and entrepreneurship
- Create a comprehensive business plan and financial model
- Integrate technical skills into a viable service business
- Demonstrate competency through hands-on projects and final presentation
Timeline
| Task | Start Date | End Date | Responsible | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Kickoff | Jan 6, 2026 | Jan 12, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Business/Entrepreneurship Module | Jan 6, 2026 | Jan 26, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Engine Servicing Module | Jan 27, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Electronics Module | Feb 17, 2026 | Mar 9, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Propeller Module | Mar 10, 2026 | Mar 30, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Welding Module | Apr 1, 2026 | Apr 20, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Dock Maintenance Module | Apr 21, 2026 | May 11, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Business Plan Development | May 12, 2026 | May 18, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Pro Forma Development | May 19, 2026 | May 25, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
| Final Presentation | May 26, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | John/Jimmy | Pending |
Major Tasks
Section 1: Intro to Business/Entrepreneurship (Weeks 1-3)
- Market research and industry analysis
- Business model development
- Customer analysis and service offerings
- Competitive analysis
- Business concept framework
Section 2: Basic Engine Servicing (Weeks 4-6)
- Engine systems education
- Hands-on servicing of Mercury 90 HP
- Routine maintenance procedures
- Troubleshooting and tuning
- Performance optimization
Section 3: Basic Marine Electronics (Weeks 7-9)
- Electrical systems fundamentals
- Navigation equipment installation
- Battery and charging systems
- System integration
- Troubleshooting procedures
Section 4: Propeller Sizing and Tuning (Weeks 10-12)
- Propeller theory and selection
- Performance testing on Ranger
- Data collection and analysis
- Tuning and optimization
- Service recommendations
Section 5: Welding (Weeks 13-15)
- Welding safety and equipment
- Basic welding techniques
- Marine welding applications
- Repair and fabrication projects
- Safety documentation
Section 6: Dock and Marina Maintenance (Weeks 16-18)
- Dock inspection and assessment
- Maintenance planning and execution
- Lift maintenance and servicing
- Safety protocol development
- Service documentation
Final Phase: Business Development (Weeks 19-21)
- Service integration and packaging
- Business plan writing
- Financial modeling and pro forma
- Presentation preparation
- Final presentation delivery
Responsible Parties
| Name | Role/Responsibility |
|---|---|
| John | Lead student, all deliverables |
| Jimmy | Project coordinator/mentor, technical instructor |
| Jessica | Academic supervisor |
Key Resources
- 1989 Ranger with Mercury 90 HP engine: Primary lab resource for engine servicing, electronics, and propeller work
- Home dock and lift: Primary lab resource for dock maintenance and marina operations
- Welding equipment: To be determined based on available resources
- Marine electronics: To be sourced for installation and learning
Status Updates
- Project planning phase completed
- Curriculum developed
- Resources identified
- Timeline established
Update this document as the project progresses.