17 October 2024

Rightboat's insights reveal a growing community of women taking to the seas, signaling a transformative shift in the boating industry. 

Traditionally recognised as a male-dominated industry, boating is undergoing a remarkable transformation as more women take to the water. New data from Rightboat.com, an alternative solution to buying and selling boats, has revealed a significant surge in the number of female site visitors, rising from just over 13% in 2017 to nearly 25% in 2024. This shift highlights a growing interest among women in boating and reflects the platform’s commitment to developing an inclusive environment within the marine industry. 

While this trend was already gaining momentum before the COVID-19 pandemic, buying behaviors shifted significantly as many women began to take a leading role in selecting family vessels. Boating offered a safe outdoor activity during this time, allowing families to enjoy quality time together while adhering to social distancing guidance. 

As the number of women in the boating community continues to grow, Rightboat sought insights from the “Women Who Sail” Facebook group to understand their motivations for buying a boat. Many of them cited empowerment and freedom as key factors. 

Eloisia shared her personal journey: “My adventure into boat ownership began with a desire for freedom and a connection to marine life. I wanted to be the ‘captain of my own ship,’ learning as I go.” 

Brioni reported 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 said: “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 spent 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.” 

Rightboat's recent analysis of search data reveals a notable trend in the U.S. boating market: higher percentages of women are shopping for boats in the same states that are most popular among men. Florida leads the way as the top boating state, where women accounted for 24% of searches in the first half of 2024—up from 20.7% in the same period last year. The next most popular boating states— California, Texas, and New York—follow closely, with women contributing just over 23% of searches in those states. Noteworthy shifts were observed in North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, with North Carolina experiencing the most significant increase—from less than 19% to over 25% of all searchers being female. Of all the top 10 boating states, Virginia has seen the most rapid growth among  women searching for boats, rising from 17% to 24% over the past three years, indicating a growing interest in boating across diverse regions. 

As more women discover the benefits of boating, the industry is evolving to foster a more inclusive and diverse community. As the world’s fastest-growing online marketplace in the boating sector, Rightboat is dedicated to driving this transformation by offering a platform where all boaters, regardless of demographic differences, can find their ideal vessel. 

For more insights related to the rise of women in boating, read the full article from Rightboat.