Bryan Kolstad: Maintaining a Safe Vessel

Bryan Kolstad is an experienced marine mechanic who’s worked on hundreds of boats in his career. For the most part, he’s dealt with mechanical issues that are common with watercrafts. Occasionally, he’s also had to advise boat owners on how to keep their vessels safe.

“It’s not surprising to find owners getting issued a voyage termination order by the Coast Guard because of having sloppy boats,” he says.

A sloppy ship is one that is dirty, has loose wiring and equipment, clogged air and heating ducts, leaks and an inadequate fuel system. It’s a dangerous boat to operate in plain language.

A danger to all

If you remember the original Dennis the Menace television show, Dennis’ toys were always in the way, causing Mr. Wilson to trip over. It might have been fiction, but when your boat resembles Dennis’ room, it’s a danger to all.

Tripping on exposed electrical lines or equipment can cause serious injuries. If the gear is not properly stored, it can cause weight distribution issues that affect the boat’s stability. Fuel and electrical systems that need to be repaired can be the cause of the fire, which is one element that you don’t want to deal with on a boat.

A clean boat is a safe boat, and a safe experience is what professionals such as Bryan Kolstad want for all boaters.

Bryan Kolstad: A Day in His Life

On a bright, summer morning, Bryan Kolstad grabs his tool kit from a store room before he heads to the marina. On his way, he meets other marine mechanics wearing the same oil-stained overalls and enters a repair bay. The motorboat engine is in the corner; it’s dull-colored diesel engine exposed. He sets his toolbox down beside the engine, determined to complete the work so the boat’s owner can enjoy a hassle-free summer.

Bryan Kolstad is a marine mechanic in Maine. He chose this line of work immediately after completing high school, enamored by the prospect of fixing mechanical parts and working close to water. He is responsible for repairing and maintaining boats within his shop.

“I like this work because it allows me to work outside and there’s always a different problem to address,” said Kolstad, a three-decade-old native of Maine. “You might work on similar issues in a given week, but handle them differently. I like that variety.”

Bryan Kolstad is replacing the engine’s transmission unit with a new one because of an unfixable break. His experienced eyes carefully select the tools he requires to complete the work, and within three hours, he’s done with the job.

Bryan Kolstad: Dealing with Mildew

Bryan Kolstad has worked as a marine mechanic for more than two decades, and he knows that one of the biggest issues that boat owners struggle with is mildew.

“Mildew is common in boats, and it’s not only ugly, but it gives off a foul smell,” he says.

For mildew to grow, it needs a moist environment with little light and ventilation, and a source of food. Before it starts growing, mold spores appear on the food source, which in boats can range from wood, carpet, vinyl, or paper surfaces. When these surfaces become moist, it’s time for mold to start growing.

Numerous products can remove mildew. Bleach is among the standard solutions that can eliminate mold and fungus spores when used correctly. Ammonium chloride is another substance that is also used, though it’s less efficient on resistant molds and can be harsh on humans and fabric.

Bryan Kolstad recommends using mild soap and water the first time you encounter mildew.
“It’s a natural combination that won’t damage the fabric or your hands,” he says. If this fails, try a chlorine-free mildew cleaner. Excessive exposure to chlorine can damage vinyl surfaces, so look for labels that have little or no chlorine.

Bryan Kolstad - Three Reasons to Become Self-Employed

Bryan Kolstad is a marine mechanic who is well trusted in the community of Portland, Maine. He enjoys being able to help people enjoy their favorite hobbies on the water, and he has spent the last two decades serving customers in need of boat maintenance. Bryan Kolstad also enjoys the benefits of being self-employed; here are just a few.

If you’re self-employed or are lucky enough to own your own business, you get to set your own hours. Not everyone is cut out for the nine to five life that a typical job requires, which is one of the main reasons some professionals set out to create their own business. If you have the ability, you can do most of your work in the evenings or early mornings, depending on what time you’re in the most productive mood.

In addition to setting your own hours, you also get to pick the jobs or tasks you want to perform. If you don’t feel like working with a particular client or performing a specific task, there is no one above you that will force you to do so. Although you’ll need to take a certain amount of jobs in order to be successful, you aren’t forced to do specific work.

If you’re your own boss, you can also make the majority of the money. There will always be times when some of your own pay has to go back into the business or service you provide, but being self-employed means you get to keep the majority.

Bryan Kolstad enjoys being his own boss, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Bryan Kolstad - Some Easy Clay Sculpting Projects for Beginners

Bryan Kolstad is currently serving as a marine mechanic in Portland, Maine, and he has been working in the community for many years. He enjoys boating, and being able to maintain the boats of other enthusiasts as well. In addition to his work, Bryan Kolstad is also an amateur clay sculptor who enjoys working on simple projects. Here are some easy projects to start with. 

Create what’s called a pinch pot. These are both pots and bowls that are a great project to start with for beginners. They get their name from the style used to create them, which means the sculptor pinches the clay in order to form the desired shape. They only take a few easy steps to finish, and you can get as creative as you want regarding the outside; add some designs and textures as you get more comfortable.
 

Candle votives are also a great project for beginners because it really only consists of two steps. First you create the base, and then you create four sides that will ultimately hold the candle. Simply attach them together when you’re finished while the clay is still soft and malleable. These can also become more intricate as you get better with practice. 

Coil pots, bowls, or even cups can be other great project for beginners to practice. This involves creating long, somewhat thin rope shaped clay pieces that are then layered in order to create the shape you want. There is an endless amount of final shapes you can create using this method. 

Bryan Kolstad enjoys spending time with clay and sculpting projects, and he continues to improve.

Suggested Read: Bryan Kolstad - Some Easy Clay Sculpting Projects for Beginners

Bryan Kolstad - Three Ways that Creative Activities Perpetuate Productivity

Bryan Kolstad is a self-employed professional who has been working hard for the sake of his community, Portland, Maine. He has been serving the people there are as marine mechanic for the better part of the last two decades, and he is trusted with any boat maintenance his clients might need. He began working in the field when he finished his education, and his obvious boating knowledge helped make him the top mechanic in the area. He has enjoyed boating his entire life, and his motivation for being a mechanic is that he gets to help others enjoy the same activity. 

Bryan Kolstad is self-employed, which helps motivate him to get things done, but he also indulges in creative activities in order to stimulate productivity. Not only does he serve as a boat mechanic, but his also an amateur clay sculptor and a tuba player. Being creative can help professionals reinvigorate their productivity overall, and actually perform better while on the job. Here are three ways being creative can help your work to the best of your abilities. 

Engaging in creative activities reduces your overall stress levels and relaxes the mind. This is great for any professional working in a fast paced environment because it allows the mind a break. Being creative focuses the mind on something enjoyable, which acts like a refresher. You may find that if you’re having trouble solving a problem, taking a break could be the solution your need to think more clearly. Stress can inhibit your ability to think clearly, so it’s important to focus the mind on something else. 

Taking the time to indulge in creative activities will also increase your mind’s ability to think outside the box. Being creative means to think of things differently than the people around you; this can be a coveted talent as a professional, especially if you work for a company that it trying to distinguish itself from the competition. The more you engage in creative activities, the faster you’ll be able to see creative solutions to difficult problems. 

Being creative also makes you a well-rounded person, which means you’ll be more likely to try new things. Performing creative activities can boost your self-confidence, and give you the push you need to take that next challenge. Self-confidence is something that is valuable in all facets of life, so it is something to work on as an individual. It will help you both professionally and in your personal life. People who don’t typically undertake creative projects are often intimidated by trying something new, which won’t be an issue the more activities you do. 

Bryan Kolstad enjoys spending time on his creative endeavors as well as his work. He finds that when he takes the time out of his day for himself, he is able to return to work refreshed and more productive.

Suggested Read: Bryan Kolstad : Staying Safe While Riding Mopeds

Bryan Kolstad - Basic Boat Safety

Bryan Kolstad is a marine mechanic who works in Maine. He has been a lover of boats for his entire life, and began working on them at a very young age. Boating is a hugely popular activity in Kolstad’s hometown, because of the abundance of natural water bodies nearby. In fact, boating attracts thousands of tourists to Maine every year. However, it is important to be very safe and cautious when out on a boat to prevent any accidents. Here are some basic boat safety tips for everyone to follow.

-Always have life jackets on board when out on a boat, and try to wear them as much as possible. Wearing a life jacket could keep you from drowning in the event of an accident. It is especially important that children wear life jackets when spending time out on the water.

-Plan where you are going ahead of time, and keep a nautical map with you on the boat. Make sure you have a way to communicate with others while you are on the water in case you need help. If you can, take a GPS device with you, as this will likely be the easiest way out of a sticky situation if you get lost.

-Check the weather before heading out on the boat. Storms or even just high winds can cause serious problems for sailors, and it is very important to avoid sailing in conditions that you can’t handle.

Bryan Kolstad is always careful to stay safe while sailing.