The Rise of Women Boat Buyers

Over the past decade the marine sector has gradually been reshaped and proceeds to move on a trajectory towards a more inclusive, diverse and innovative industry. Historically, women have grappled with gender parity in the boating and yachting world. However, perceptions of the archetypal red-faced, cigar-smoking boat owner was superseded by younger, more mindful and socially aware (and eco-conscious) people. The younger wave of female boat owners has implicit confidence in locating self-fulfillment among the waves. While gender equality in the business moves in the ideal direction, there are still more men buying boats than girls, however the gap is narrowing. From where we stand, all indications are that sailing will continue to rise exponentially as an even larger pastime for all walks of life.

Sustained Trends: Female Boat Buying Behaviors

Boat Trader data shows a seismic change in women's involvement from the boat buying procedure. The proliferation of girls looking for boats has risen dramatically. In September 2020 Boat Trader documented a staggering 75% boost in girls ship shoppers -- representing a significantly greater volume than the previous season. Nowadays, we're pleased to declare Boat Trader's latest data clearly attests an upward trend of girls ship shoppers playing an increasingly integral part of the boat buying process across the country, in an ongoing industry development that stays buoyant.

In fact, the number of girls browsing Boat Trader at January and February 2021 saw an uptick of +23% over the exact same period this past year. We've observed an increase in age groups throughout the board visiting the Boat Trader marketplace, but most notably, the number of millennial girls aged 25 -- 34 seeing the Boat Trader marketplace since last May jumped, rising by a whopping +76%.

The Driving Factors Behind The Surge In Women Boaters

During lockdown, girls and mothers experienced increased isolation, prompting girls to take their own families to the water to get some much needed freedom and enjoyable. Boat Trader's data also shows that disturbance precipitated from the pandemic bred a tide of ship enthusiasts and first-time boat owners.

Ryan McVinney of Boat Trader remarks on one of the company's key missions in 2021 and beyond, "We are delivering boat-related articles to inspire the current and future generations of young girls that are interested in the marine industry. We plan to encourage more girls to inquire into the prospect of purchasing a boat and to research how boats can favorably affect their lifestyle."

There is an chance for boat retailers to leverage women's exposure to their boating products to incite more interest. Historically, women were an untapped consumer market in the yachting and boating industry. Hosting occasions where both men and females examine the boats is crucial to drive sales and facilitate more women getting out on the water.

Female Representation

It's not just women's buying behaviors which are changing in the marine industry-- there have been positive changes in the representation of women in yacht crews and management companies. There's also been a lot of media attention about women's misrepresentation in older roles aboard boats. The media coverage on diversity has spurned favorable outcomes. Advocates such as diversity, for example Jenny Mathews, creator of She of the Sea, (SOTS) are making a difference by championing new ways of thinking through developing programs around instruction, best practice, service networks and events. SOTS have a few of the greatest names in the industry have clamored to sign their diversity assurance. Embracing a contemporary mindset which winners diversity and producing equal opportunities in the yachting sector is an efficient means to ensure that the industry showcases the very best talent.

Iconic Female Yacht Owners

Female self-made millionaire yacht owners have also helped to nurture change in gender parity within the marine sector. These role models offer a strong platform to inspire other girls to step into what was considered a 'Billionaires boys team'. These girls actively use their influence to cultivate change by using their businesses, nonprofits and philanthropic work.

A Strategic Roadmap: Closing The Gender Gap In Boat Assets

In a bid to close the gender gap in vessel ownership, Boat Trader chooses both male and female USCG-licensed ship captains, professional boat reviewers, marine journalists and real world boaters in equal measure. Throughout a gender-balanced perspective of the industry and reviews of boat products and versions, the material is aimed to appeal to a varied audience. This helps reduce potential barriers to vessel ownership and operation as well as flatten the learning curve for newcomers as much as possible.

Part of what Boat Trader has set out to attain is to inspire and empower women to pursue their goals and dreams, to have confidence in their skills, and also to challenge other girls to do exactly the same throughout the boating industry and outside. With more women actively searching for ships, marine retailers have added opportunity to reach new demographics.

Leveraging Technology To Find The World On The Water

Boat Trader is optimistic that the amount of girls in yachting will continue to grow. To this end, the Boat Trader cellular program (available as an iPhone App or an Android/Google App) makes browsing and researching several kinds of boats easy, helping new boat shoppers know what is on the industry as well as the wide variety of boat values and pricing that could be overpowering to newbies. Together with savable search alarms (that inform users when recently listed boats match their preferences), price drop notifications and a"ship near you" attribute, this is a must-have tool for those which are seriously interested in purchasing a boat -- whether they are actively shopping or just starting to consider a future buy later down the line (after they become a bit more acquainted with the broad world of boating).

Boating Platforms And Programs Provide Easy Solutions

Other modern platforms -- such as Boatsetter -- are also excellent for women (and men) who want to check the water first for some firsthand driving experience handling a ship themselves. On this platform, new boaters and boat shoppers may rent out or charter a boat for the afternoon to experience the advantages of that version's key features, ultimately enabling them to make an informed purchase decision. Rental platforms like these are perfect for the younger generation of women who may not possess the confidence to join a local boat club yet (although that is another great idea). In truth, the perfect on-the-water-experience is just one click away. If you enjoy it, it may be worth having a few lessons on the water.

Furthermore, there are a slew of other mobile boating apps, such as Snag-A-Slip, which are now helping open up the boating world to more fans and boating novices making it much easier to find sources such as gas, supplies, marinas and even secure temporary, passing or more permanent boat storage options.

Women's Boating Programs

Ladies Let's Go Fishing is a long-standing example of programs helping girls to be comfortable from the boating and fishing environment. As a Wellcraft employee, Betty Bauman understood that women were mostly absent in fishing since they had not had exposure to the sport. She created Ladies Let's Go Fishing so women would not feel intimidated learning about men, "The camaraderie that girls feel at a Ladies Let's Go Fishing event is real," states Marilyn DeMartini, a long-time marine journalist and marketer who has participated in both salt and freshwater courses. "We understand, while having fun, from women and men, the particulars of knots, baits, casting, and equipment. The skills we learn give us confidence to go out on a fishing boat without feeling like a 'dumb broad,''' she laughs.

Ladies at the Helm is just another training program available offering training to women in ship handling and seamanship to help women to gain confidence in their knowledge and skills.

In case you've got an insatiable appetite for experience, and are curious to learn more, partake in a training program, or lease out a ship to see whether the boating life allure. You never know, you might just end up becoming a boating aficionado in a matter of months, just in time for the boating season.

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