CYBER BOATING
2/20/2008 11:35:38 AM by Yoshi Sanz
For the creators of TheBoaters.com, bringing boaters together online was the next logical step for an ever-evolving pastime that lives on well past the time spent on the water.
Photo courtesy of TheBoaters.com
Social networking sites are all the rage on the internet today. From the popular MySpace, to the once college-only site, Facebook, we are now able to connect to the world. Theboaters.com has taken that idea one step further. This social networking site is designed specifically for boaters to bring them — and their passions — together.
Any type of boater can join TheBoaters.com — from owners of sailboats, powerboats, canoe and, kayaks to water enthusiasts in salt or freshwater. And the creators say it’s easy to get started. “After you navigate to the site, sign up to create your free profile,” says Leonard Boord, founder and CEO. “Tell us a little bit about yourself, your boat or dreamboat and your boating experiences. Then prepare to spend time sharing and exchanging information about boats and the boating activities you enjoy including fishing, cruising, skiing, sailing, wakeboarding…the list never ends.” From there, boating enthusiasts can generate an abundance of boating-related ideas and engage with a broad range of active boaters.
You can even map places that you’ve visited using integrated Google maps. Cruise on over to the forums to talk to fellow boaters and participate in groups or create a badge to be included in your email or forum signature. The site also allows you to add places that you have visited or want to visit in Google maps. This is very useful for navigation purposes and a great way to find a spot to meet other boaters. Soon, you’ll be able to navigate all the nautical charts for free.
Organizers says TheBoaters.com just opened its doors in November of last year and has quickly evolved into the premier social network website for the marine industry with the fastest rate of growth in users in the industry. “In two months we’ve reached 12,000 registered users from around the world,” says Tony Belfort, co-founder and VP. “If you browse, you’ll find boats from the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and South Africa, among other countries.”
Based on statistics from TheBoaters.com’s homepage, more than 80 percent of the registered users have been boating for more than five years: 50 percent are owners of powerboats; 37 percent own sailboats; and 13 percent own a combination of PWCs, canoes and kayaks. The momentum gathered by TheBoaters can be attributed to its functionality and design, both of which fill the needs of the boating community.
In January, TheBoaters.com launched a new site design which has been well-received by users throughout the world. “Our new layout allows you to better navigate the site,” says Belfort. “The vertical navigation bar on the left gives members direct access to many different areas and allows TheBoaters.com to expand the functionality of the site. The new site is created around a basic framework to expand the site easily, add new features and increase browser functions. It defines Theboaters.com and our slogan “A place for boaters, bringing them together.”
To complement TheBoaters.com, Boord says that TheBoaters.TV was created to further the overall experience of users on the site. TheBoaters.TV is a podcast that provides fun, yet informative boating news. Every podcast features a “SEAlebrity” profile pick of the week that gives members a chance to be a “Boater Celebrity” when the host talks about their boat and shows pictures from the member’s profile.
PASSION PAGE
Log on to TheBoaters.com to start taking your favorite pastime to the next level — your own personal webpage included.
Lawyers have them, dog owners have them and now boat owners can have them. We are talking about your personal boat or captain page. At TheBoaters.com, you can create one of these on your own unique address. Yes it is a webpage of your boat or your profile as a captain or water enthusiasts. You can use it at the bottom of your email, put it in your forum signature or on any place on the web that you desire. Just register, build your profile and copy your unique URL from the navigation bar in any place that you want. The rest, as they say, is boating history.
The podcast features a segment called “Forum Fun” highlighting interesting forum posts by members. The show tries to interact with the audience and create a relationship with the viewers. The host, Stacey Strussion, brings a warm feel to the podcast with her upbeat, witty personality. “Earlier last year, just in time for the holidays, and to thank the members, TheBoaters.TV compiled pictures from its more than 9,000 users in order to make a video highlighting the many meanings of boating,” says Boord. “It’s just one of the ways we give back to our members.” TheBoaters.TV airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is also available through YouTube and iTunes.
As you explore the site, make sure to peruse different makes and models of boats and view other members’ photo galleries. “There will be no shortage of eye candy on our site,” says Belfort. “We promise.”