Benefits:

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Wellness resources

Job Title: Gelcoat Finisher / Buffer Company: Barker Boatworks Location: Sarasota, FL

About Barker Boatworks: Barker Boatworks is a leading manufacturer of high-performance, custom-built center console boats. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship to our customers. We are seeking a Gelcoat Finisher to bring our laminated hulls, decks, liners, and components to a show-quality finish.

Job Summary: The Gelcoat Finisher takes cured, de-molded fiberglass parts and finishes them to final cosmetic standard — repairing surface defects, sanding through progressive grits, and cutting and buffing to a deep, uniform gloss.

Responsibilities:

Inspection and Repair:

Inspect de-molded parts under proper lighting for porosity, pinholes, voids, print-through, blisters, and color variation.

Repair surface defects using catalyzed gelcoat paste and putty — grinding out, filling, feathering, and curing to a sound, blended repair.

Repair scratches, chips, and handling damage occurring during rigging, assembly, and pre-delivery.

Sanding and Polishing:

Wet and dry sand through progressive grit sequences (typically 320 through 1000+) to remove defects and level the surface without burning through the gelcoat film.

Cut, polish, and finish with compounds and dual-action buffers to achieve high-gloss, swirl-free results.

Finish nonskid, textured surfaces, radiused corners, and tight interior areas by hand where machine access is limited.

Detail and protect finished parts for movement through assembly and delivery.

General:

Meet finish standards consistently while hitting the production schedule.

Keep a clean, organized, and safe work area in compliance with shop safety protocols.

Qualifications:

Experience in gelcoat finishing, marine detailing, auto body finishing, or a related sanding-and-polishing trade. Strong candidates without direct marine experience will be considered and trained.

Comfortable with DA sanders, rotary buffers, grinders, and standard hand tools.

Understanding of grit progression and the discipline not to skip steps.

Ability to judge a finish critically — you can see a swirl, a low spot, or a mismatched patch that others walk past.

Familiarity with gelcoat paste repair, catalyst ratios, and cure behavior is a strong plus.

Able to lift 50 lbs, work overhead and on staging, kneel and work in confined areas such as bilges and hull interiors, and tolerate a shop environment with dust and fumes.

Benefits:

Competitive pay based on experience.

Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, and paid time off.

Opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing company.