Motorcycle & Marine Service Technology

Motorcycle and marine engines are becoming more sophisticated and require technicians to have extensive technical training. As the pool of qualified technicians shrinks, Chattanooga State is working with the motorcycle and marine industry to combat the shortage of qualified technicians and increase starting pay.

Motorcycle and marine engines are a separate technology from automobile or diesel mechanics. The motorcycle service industry includes ATVs, dirt bikes and street bikes. The marine service industry relates to bass boats, pleasure boats, PWC (personal watercraft), and cruiser. While all have similar maintenance and repair requirements, all can develop unique problems that test the expertise of the technician.

The Motorcycle & Marine Service Technology Program at Chattanooga State offers students a wide-ranging knowledge skill to master. The developed knowledge and skills provides the opportunity for students to start a career servicing ATVs, dirt bikes, street bikes, or bass boats, PWC, pleasure boats and cruiser.

Subjects include:

  • 2 and 4-cycle gasoline engines
  • Engine electrical systems
  • Hydraulics
  • Power transfer system

In the program's shop, students have the opportunity to use sophisticated equipment, including dynamometers and electronic ignition test units in their projects.
Students graduating from this program may find career opportunities as a motorcycle or marine technician, parts salesman, service manager, or a shop foreman and other fields that utilize internal combustion engines.

Instructor Jimmy Jones, in foreground, and some of his students pose with fully-functioning outboard motors and a motorcycle, which are among the laboratory equipment used for hands-on training.

From left are students Adam Cashion, Ward Southeard, Brad Parker and Dustin Vaughn.

Full-Time Program Schedule
Semester Day Class Evening Class Days
Fall (450 hours) 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Not Available in the Evening Monday - Friday
Spring (450 hours) 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Not Available in the Evening Monday - Friday
Summer (390 hours) 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Not Available in the Evening Monday - Friday

For more information:

Jimmy Jones jimmy.jones @chattanoogastate.edu (423) 697 - 3178
Suzanne Myatt (suzanne.myatt@chattanoogastate.edu) (423) 697 - 3283