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Marinalife is pleased to announce this year’s photography contest that showcases the joy of boating and good times on the water.
We welcome snapshots that capture moments of maritime merriment — the freedom of getting back on the water after a long winter, a memorable boating experience with family and friends, a special seaside vacation, the thrill of water sports, an epic fishing trip where you reeled in a trophy catch, or the face of a pet who’s too cute for words. Whatever floats your boat, we’d like to see it.
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Who’s Eligible: Everybody is invited — from amateur shutterbugs to seasoned photographers — to send your favorite shots of what you love most about the cruising lifestyle and high seas adventures.
By Friday, July 21, 2023, submit your favorite photos. Limit of up to 3 photos per person that are high resolution (300 dpi, 2 mb or 600 kb). Please include a brief description of the photo’s location, the photographer’s credit, and your contact info, email and phone.
Winners: Our staff will select the first, second and third place winners and runners up whose photographs will appear on our website and in the fall 2023 issue of Marinalife. Prizes will be announced soon.
For related questions, email submissions@marinalife.com
The winds of change are blowing across the lakes and oceans, bays and rivers where we take to the water in boats, and each passing day sees more women making their mark in a world that has traditionally been the domain of men. From confident, competent sailors like Kirsten Neuschäfer and Cole Brauer completing record-breaking solo voyages around the world, to the many passionate marine enthusiasts navigating coastal waters with confidence, increasing numbers of women are reshaping the maritime landscape with their resilience, determination, and enthusiasm for the sea.
At Rightboat.com we are seeing clear evidence of this trend in the numbers of female site visitors searching for boats to buy. Now, we’ve begun regularly analyzing our internal data to quantify the shift and see what else we can learn about the trend; note that not all Rightboat visitors are identifiable by gender, so the distribution is based on a large sample of visitors.
By the simple measure of the percentage of women vs. men visiting Rightboat.com and searching for a boat, we are seeing a significant change between 2017 and 2024. In the United States in 2017, just more than one of eight (13.25 percent) searchers were women; in 2024, nearly one in four were women—24.67 percent. Just in the last year, from the first half of 2023 to the first half of 2024, the percentage of women searching climbed more than 3 percent.
Among those globally who are searching on the Rightboat website, the numbers today have moved even higher, to 27 percent. And in the United Kingdom, in particular, 30 percent of those searching for boats were women in the first half of 2024.
The trend was already in motion before the COVID pandemic, but there’s little question that women were a force behind the 415,000 first-time buyer boat sales in the US that the National Marine Manufacturers Association reported in 2020.
Even though men have typically taken the lead in a boat purchase, women have more and more frequently played a deciding role in the final choice of family boats. During the pandemic, many more women were attracted to boating as a safe, socially distanced outdoor family activity and began taking the lead in searching for boats and boating information. DiscoverBoating.com reported visits by women were up 41 percent during the period.
Even before the pandemic, in 2018, Jack Ellis of the market research firm Info-Link told BoatUS magazine that a higher percentage of women were giving boat ownership a try. At the time, 1 of 8 registered boat owners were women—about 12 or 13 percent—and Ellis said that the number of women first-time boat buyers was about one-third higher.
In 2024, Peter Houseworth of Info-Link said that the number of registered women boat owner has likely grown incrementally to the 14- to 15-percent range (1 of 7). Houseworth offered the reminder that the process of quantifying boat registrations by gender is challenged by the fact that many names are gender neutral and many boat registrations have two names on them.
Although the pandemic-induced buying surge has eased off in the last couple of years, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s 2024 report indicates female participation in fishing hit a record high in 2023—21.3 million women making up 37 percent of all anglers. Participation has increased since 2020 by 3 percent each year. Although not every angler necessarily needs a boat to go fishing, these data points fit with the trend making the boating world less of a domain for men.
Several women responded to our question in the Women Who Sail Facebook group (23.4K members) and while their motivations vary, there’s a clear theme of empowerment throughout. Stories we’ve heard included learning to sail as a young adult but only re-engaging with sailing when searching for something more in life, decades later. Or buying a boat, refitting it while learning on the job, then learning to handle it underway and eventually gaining skipper certifications, and sailing more and more miles, even to other countries.
With the onset of Covid in 2020, a sailor named Brioni reports that her husband wanted to sell everything and buy a boat to live on, and although reluctant initially, she’s gone from hating boats to “I couldn’t be happier.” She has learned to “make fiberglass repairs, sew canvas work, install a diesel engine, add solar panels and batteries, and build davits.”
Erica tells her story like this: “After living in the desert for 30 years, my wife and I were excited for a change when we moved out to the coast of the Pacific Northwest. We were fortunate to move into a neighborhood that has a marina and though neither of us had ever operated a boat before, we decided to get one and learn by doing. Our 30' sailboat was neglected by her prior owner, so in between our sail trips, we spend time working on restoring her to her former glory. It has been two years since we took the plunge, and though we have faced some really tough challenges, we wouldn't change it for the world—it isn't every day that you discover a shared passion with your partner, and this is one that we plan to continue for the rest of our lives.”
Looking more closely at the search data for the U.S., Rightboat reports that the most women are shopping for boats in the same states where the most men are shopping, which is no surprise. Boating is extremely popular in certain states, starting with the No. 1 boating state in the country, Florida, where 24 percent of searchers in the first half of 2024 were women. That was an increase from 20.7 percent during the same period in 2023.
Women in California, Texas, and New York were the next most frequent visitors to Rightboat.com, representing just over 23 percent of searches from those states.
Of the 10 states with the most women searching for boats on a percentage basis, the largest shifts in the proportion of women conducting searches in the last year were in North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Georgia—and the leader was North Carolina, with an increase from less than 19 percent to over 25 percent women.
Between 2021 and 2024, the greatest change in the percentages of women searching for boats appeared in states with a generally lower overall volume of searches, either due to lower populations or less access to water and boats. Of the top 10 states referenced above, Virginia has seen the most rapid growth on a percentage basis. Over the last three years, the number of women from Virginia searching for boats on Rightboat grew from 17 percent to 24 percent.
The increasing popularity of Rightboat in the U.S. overall and the uptick in the number and variety of boat listings on Rightboat are variables that may contribute to the changing numbers from state to state, but the rise in interest in searching for boats among women in all the top boating states nonetheless remains broadly consistent.
About Rightboat.com
Rightboat provides a unique alternative for buying and selling boats online. The platform is designed to tackle the common challenges faced by boat enthusiasts, thanks to a team of industry veterans and former brokers who understand the market inside out. Rightboat enhances the search and discovery process to connect buyers with their ideal boats, all while maintaining fair fees for brokers. An innovative approach ensures a cost-effective and user-friendly experience for everyone involved.Rightboat also hosts unbiased buying advice and practical boating tips, catering to both seasoned boaters and newcomers.
Visit rightboat.com to find out more.
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Based out of Fort Myers, FL, Golden Boat Lifts has been a leading marine manufacturer for more than 30 years, growing and expanding projects worldwide. Innovator of top-notch boat lifts and marine products, Golden is proud to announce the launch of three groundbreaking items that are changing the game in the marina industry.
The following new products are designed to enhance the boater experience and provide quality structures that guarantee customer satisfaction.
This revolutionary boat lift system seamlessly blends with any waterfront property. Engineered for discretion and performance, the Invisilift is designed to be invisible when not in use, preserving the natural beauty of the surroundings. Its robust construction and advanced technology ensure it performs a smooth and reliable operation, providing boat owners with peace of mind and a sleek, unobtrusive solution for convenient accessibility.
The new lift offers unparalleled results when it comes to versatility. Perfect for locations where traditional lift installations are not feasible, this freestanding model is designed to support a range of boat sizes and types. Its modular design allows for easy customization and relocation, making it an ideal choice for both private docks and commercial marinas. Constructed with marine-grade materials, the Freestanding Lift guarantees durability and longevity in harsh marine environments.
This innovative lift is set to pioneer the way boaters dock and store their vessels, the system combines the convenience of floating docks with the security and stability of traditional boat lifts. Featuring a user-friendly design, the Golden Float Lift allows for effortless docking and retrieval of boats, reducing the risk of damage and making boating more enjoyable. Its adaptable structure can accommodate various water levels and boat sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for every boater's needs.
With a commitment to innovation, craftsmanship and customer service, Golden Boat Lifts continues to set the standard for excellence in the marine industry. The company’s extensive product range includes lifts for personal watercraft, yachts and everything in between, all designed to make boating safer, easier, and more enjoyable.
For more information about the Invisilift, Freestanding Lift, Golden Float Lift or any other Golden Boat Lifts products, visit goldenboatlifts.com or contact the business development team at 239-337-4141.
From small ports to luxury resorts, marinas are buzzing with news and exciting announcements. Constantly working to meet boaters’ needs from upgraded amenities to new restaurant openings, these properties continue to enhance facilities and make guests feel at home. Check out the latest happenings at the following marinas spanning coastal Florida to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
St. Augustine, FL
Windward Marine Group is taking Florida by storm with renovations and upgrades to their coastal properties. Just two miles from St. Augustine’s historical district, Camachee Cove is proud to announce its completion of the East Bulkhead project and concrete remediation project on the northeast side of the marina. The facility boasts 230 wet slips, four lift slips, high-speed fuel pumps and a service yacht yard.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
This facility offers an unparalleled boating experience that combines cutting-edge technology with luxury and convenience. The new advanced automated crane system ensures quick and safe boat storage for up to 249 boats, all within a Category 4 hurricane-rated facility designed to withstand winds up to 170 m.p.h. To elevate your experience, the marina proudly offers Admiral’s concierge services for a white-glove experience. Enjoy assistance with provisioning and discounted parts and services that ensure your boating needs are meticulously managed. The premier location provides direct access from the ICW and Atlantic Ocean and provides excellent service from proactive care to personalized attention.
Islamorada, FL
The Keys’ former Postcard Inn Resort & Marina recently reopened as the newly revamped Three Waters Resort & Marina situated along 15 acres of scenic oceanfront. The marina offers 18 transient slips accommodating vessels up to 80 feet and on-site laundry and shower facilities. Stock up on fishing supplies at Abel’s Tackle Box & General Goods, stay in an island- inspired guestroom, enjoy nine unique culinary experiences on-site and embark on a world-class fishing fleet.
Key West, FL
This hidden gem located along the Boca Chica Channel boasts a newly rebuilt outer rim. The marina consists of 33 slips ranging from 45 to 80 feet with floating finger piers, as well as hardwood decking and two tiki structures with open water views. In-slip pump out and daily ice delivery (two five-gallon buckets) is included with slip rentals. Enjoy upscale amenities and excursions such as scuba diving and ecotourism adventures.
Abaco, The Bahamas
This gorgeous resort destination located along Marsh Harbour celebrates the completion of a full renovation this year. Established in 1972, the resort was devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, forcing temporary closure followed by a reopening in 2021. The new boutique hotel offers spacious guest rooms and suites with stunning balcony views of the 73-slip marina. Amenities include a heated plunge pool, gift shop and Snappa’s Bar & Grill waterfront restaurant.
British Virgin Islands
Chart your course for Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, the ultimate haven for vessels up to 160 feet in the British Virgin Islands. The resort offers top-tier docking services at its full- service marina, along with indulgent dining outlets and a world-class spa. Shake off your sea legs in their ocean-view villas and suites. A complimentary ferry will take you to Marina Cay for fresh bites, cold beverages, snorkeling and views.
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