Sailing and boat clubs are not a new phenomena. Several have existed in the U.S. since long and have a sizable membership as well. They come with an annual/quarterly/monthly membership cost and are, mainly, aimed for people who own a boat. A boating community, on the other hand, is a relatively newer concept powered by the world wide web that welcomes one and all to be a part of it. If you’re contemplating joining a boating community but are still on the fence about it, then check out these advantages and benefits it offers, to help you make your mind up.
All Are Welcome
Whether you are a boat owner, a sailing enthusiast or simply captivated with this enthralling activity, a boat community lets you be a member with no fuss. There is, usually, no cost of signing up and no recurring costs of maintaining your membership. Being an online community, all it takes is some basic personal details like name, email, and location, to get you started.
Professional and Social Boating Network
The inclusionary aspect of the boat community allows you to connect with people with diverse experiences and help you build a strong network. Beginners can get more insights about boating or get access to boats with professional supervision, to take a family trip with. Boat owners can connect with other seasoned veterans to get tips on how to spruce up their craft, add more power to it, etc. Craftsmen, mariners, technicians, captains, and other types of crew members are all part of a good boat community, to help you make social and professional connections for life.
Boat Directory
A practical and exciting feature offered by the top boat communities is known as the boat directory. When members sign up, they are encouraged, but not obligated, to list their boat and provide details about it. This helps build the directory of boats. Naturally, the larger and more diverse the boating community, the more boats will be available in its directory. As a member, you can browse through all the boats listed there, for fun, for getting tips to incorporate in your own boat, or as ideas for buying your new boat. The directory also comes with handy filters to help you narrow down your search to the specific type, model, make, length, and other attributes of boats you wish to see more of.
Convenience
Another important advantage offered by a boating community is convenience. From ease of signing up to actively engaging with members, the entire process is online and can be experienced from anywhere, using a web enabled device and an internet connection. Sitting in your home, you can connect with boaters from across the country and even from abroad, share in their unique experiences while involving them in yours. It doesn’t need to remain virtual though. Having established a level of comfort and trust, you can choose to meet up in real life and have shared fun together. It is entirely up to you.
Safety and Security
A good boating community respects user privacy and has several protocols for information security. This is paramount as, being a social platform, people are bound to share information regarding their boats, the harbors they are docked at, etc. Before signing up, read the terms and conditions of the forum carefully and go ahead only when convinced about their commitment to online data security.
As you can see, a boating community can be a whole lot of fun for beginners, amateurs, veterans, and professionals alike. With a free exchange of information and observations, you can add a lot to your skill set while also contributing to the development of others.