SUMMER 2013 | MARINE TECHNICIAN TODAY
15
AMTECH Board
Meet the
EMPLOYMENT:
President: API Marine Sales, Inc.
Founder: HydraDynamic Systems
1311 NW 65 Place
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
P: 954.975.7373
Email:
Q:
What do you feel AMTECH’s major role is?
A:
Providing all marine technicians the
opportunity to advance their skills and network
with other technicians for hands on advice.
Q:
What made you decide to
volunteer to serve on the board?
A:
I felt that my many years of experience gave
me an insight into this industry and it would be
helpful, and also I could assist my good friend,
Joe De Marco, who is the driving force behind
this association.
Q:
Where do you see the industry going?
A:
With the advent of the internet the average
boater now has access to a vast amount of
information at their disposal. Because today’s
boaters are better educated and have a good
understanding of costs, the marine technician
will have to be prepared to deal with a consumer
who has researched the problem and may ask
questions that need an intelligent answer. In
years gone by, the consumer just wanted the
boat fixed. Now the consumer wants more
details and are better informed on costs.
Today’s marine technician needs to keep up with
his education in order to provide the service
needed with today’s complex marine engines.
I see preventive service as a larger part of the
future of this industry. Fractional ownership will
also become more prevalent and dealerships
will have to keep those boats in top operating
condition, as the annual use of a fractional
boat will far exceed a boat operated by a single
owner. It will be the marine technician’s job to
keep these boats in top condition. To sum it up
service is and will be an important issue that will
help our industry grow in the future.
Q:
What role does
service play in the marine industry?
A:
If a boat owner continues to have mechanical
problems with his boat he may get tired of the
problems and decide to sell his boat and take
up golf or some other recreational hobby.
Service is important; a happy boat owner will
stay in boating and foster the sport whether it is
water skiing, fishing or just a day on the water
with the family. I feel that the future of boating
is dependent on the ability of our industry to
provide quality service to the boat owner at a fair
and reasonable cost. Also, it must be provided
in a timely manner by a person with a smile. The
unpublished motto at my company is “we don’t
go fishing so you can.” The boat owner is the
guy paying all our salaries so it is important to
listen to what they have to say.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE:
Over 30 years
in the marine industry with considerable hands-
on experience operating a full service boatyard,
building fiberglass boats, marine product sales
& service as well as manufacturing replacement
aftermarket marine products.
HISTORY:
1987-Present: President of API
Marine, a manufacturer of replacement aftermarket
Trim & Tilt motors and Pumps, Starters, and
Alternators to fit most marine engines. Duties
include all phases of operating the company, from
new product development, sales and marketing,
to building teamwork among employees and
ensuring the profitability of the company.
2010:
Co-Founder of HydraDynamic Systems
which designs and engineers hydraulic systems
for the marine industry at the OEM level. This is
a sister company to API Marine.
Prior to 1987, Richard was employed by Skyway
Marine in Miami Florida where he built custom
Center Console boats from 21 to 40 feet. As a
Mercury dealer, Skyway Marine sold and serviced
both Mercury outboards and Mercruiser inboard
and sterndrive engines and parts.
PERSONAL:
In my leisure time my wife & I
enjoy fishing in our 17’ flats boat on the lower
west coast of Florida. I also enjoy sailing my
vintage 30 foot sloop out of Fort Lauderdale
with my buddies. I am a long time supporter
of the Bimini Biological Field Station, a world
renowned shark research laboratory in Bimini,
Bahamas. The Field Station was featured on
the Discovery Channel during their Shark
Week series.
Richard C. Schneider,
Member AMTECH Board of Directors representing the marine aftermarket
