For long, people were dependent on their respective boat clubs or home marinas to get access to fellow boat enthusiasts and engage with them. These clubs were expensive to get into with a high entry fee and a substantial annual membership charge, and not open for all. The internet changed things drastically, for the better. It brought about a number of online boating communities which gave people access to an even wider audience and experiences to derive from. No longer do you need to have a boat anchored in a specific harbor to be able to meet and greet people who share your passion for the water and crafts. Now, it is easy to connect with people of varied experiences from the comfort and convenience of your own home. Modern boating communities do not distinguish between boat owners, renters and boat lovers (without a boat of their own). Everyone is welcome to partake in conversations and discussions regarding their favorite pastime.
One of the delightful features, among many others, that a boat community offers is a detailed database of all the boats listed by its members. This is, colloquially, known as a boat directory. Some might equate it with an online yellow pages version dedicated to various types, makes, and models of boats. Let us take a look at the benefits of the boat directory and how to make use of it.
Table of Contents
Join A Boating Community
The first step, in order to access a boat directory, is to join a boating community. This is rather simple and usually costs nothing at all. Just using your email and other basic details you can become a part of a forum that can expand your horizons and take your boating skills to a whole new level. Be mindful, though, as there are several online platforms and you need to be picky about which one to join. Some pointers here include,
- a good boating community should not charge you for basic membership,
- it should allow free exchange of ideas but under the rules of social convention,
- it should protect your privacy and safeguard your personal information that you willingly share,
- it’s boat directory should be comprehensive and not limited to a similar type of models,
- it should have people with diverse backgrounds and various degrees of experience to help you grow by connecting with them.
List Your Boat
If you are a boat owner, then you should register your boat in the boat directory of the community. All open platforms make this strictly voluntary. You have the privilege of sharing as much or as little as you wish to. But the experience is, surely, enhanced by sharing more and receiving in return. Listing your boat helps you reach out to a larger number of people. The community is filled with experts across different fields, such as craftsmen, service crew, technicians, navigators, and even captains. By listing your boat, you can hope to seek their inputs on a variety of topics ranging from service and maintenance to upgrades and overhauls. All this advice is easy to come by and, typically, at no cost at all. Simply post your queries and you will get a wide range of responses for you to consider, or ignore; as you deem fit.
If you wish to get some additional storage in your cab, repair your hull, upgrade your deck, add the latest GP or navigation tech, you can get suggestions galore by having your boat listed in the directory.
Sell Your Boat
Another, passive advantage of the boat directory is that it can serve as an online marketplace for you to list and advertise your boat, for free. Typically, if you are looking to offload your boat you will need to find a platform to list it and make the listing attractive to catch the eye of potential buyers. These are usually paid services. Or else, you may reach out to a boat reseller or a broker, both of which will either charge you a fairly high fixed sum or a percentage of the final sale. In either case, your net earnings go down. As a member of the online community, the boat directory is free for you to use. After listing it you can attract attention through several means, like social posts, starting a discussion thread and so on. Invite people to review and comment on it to increase its visibility. Interested parties can reach out to you directly for any additional queries they may have, and once shortlisted you can run your final negotiation to complete the sale. Convenient, cost effective and time saving!
Browse Other Boats
The boat directory works both ways. Just like you have the freedom and opportunity to list your boat on it, other members have that as well. Hence, you can hope to get access to a wide variety of boats to browse from. Whether you’re looking to merely upgrade or intending to buy a new boat, you can comfortably explore the different options to get ideas regarding the choices available. A priceless advantage is the ability to contact the owner or the captain directly to gain their first-hand insights regarding the performance of the vessel and their experience with it. This is something that you are unlikely to come by at any seller or store. These experiential inputs can help you make your mind before you buy. In fact, there is a high likelihood that you will be able to find boats for sale directly on the directory itself.
In Summation
As a boat owner, you must aim to be a part of a boat directory that is popular and has a large user base. Only then, will you be able to truly enjoy the extensive features and benefits it has to offer. Apart from socializing and the chance to build a professional network, the boat directory will help you hone your boating skills, gain useful knowledge regarding boating terms, rules, and regulations, and also help you learn the ways to ensure a safe and responsible boating experience.
