Frequently Asked Questions

What is TheBoaters?

We are a Social Network for those who like boats and share a passion for boating. TheBoaters aims to make boating more social than ever before. We've launched the site with many features and we're continuously upgrading and adding features to meet your needs.

How do I report problems (Community Feedback)?

This is a long term project in which you are front and center. We will build what you want to use. As a registered user, we welcome your feedback because it drives our development cycle. Please tell us what you need! At the bottom of every page, there's a link that says "I'm Drowning, Save Me!" Click it and send us a note.

Why register with TheBoaters?

When you register, you can interact with other captains and share your boating knowledge. Anyone can browse the site, but registration allows you to post comments, participate in forums, add your boats, and share your boating experience in many ways.

How much does TheBoaters cost?

It's free for all users.

Why can I not upload my photo?

First, make sure your photos are in JPG format and each one is smaller than 2 MB. If the default Multiple File Upload Method isn't working for you, try the One-at-a-Time Method (a link can be found on your boat's photo page when you're logged in). The default Multiple File Upload Method requires a recent version of the Adobe Flash Player.

Attention Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) Users
Adobe's Flash Player has a bug in Leopard preventing file uploads. You can either use our One-at-a-Time Method (a link can be found on your boat's photo page when you're logged in) or install the fixed Flash Player (it's a pain):

  1. Uninstall the old flash player
  2. Install the new Plugin for Mac OS X 10.2 and above
  3. Return to your boat's photo page and upload.

How do I Join?

Registration is FREE for everyone. Click here to join.

Is TheBoaters only for people who own a Boat?

The Boaters is a social network for those who share the passion for boating, no boat ownership required. If you own a boat, you can place it in your profile, if you want a boat (who doesn't?), you can add the desired boat to your profile.

How do I invite somebody to be my friend?

Click the "Invite Friend" link on their captain's profile or one of their boat profiles. This will send them a message with the invitation. If they accept, you'll be friends!

What happens when I favorite a Boat?

Favoriting a boat saves it in the Favorites list on your captain profile, so you can find it quickly later. Think of this as similar to a bookmark in your web browser.

What's "Give a Prop"?

Its a way of celebrating a profile. Think of it as giving a thumbs up.

What's the difference between captain profile and boat profile?

Each user has a single captain profile that presents information about the user's interests and activities. Users may add multiple boat profiles, one for each boat they have owned, own, work on, or want.

Can I include all the boats that I have owned?

Yes, we encourage you to add all of the boats you have owned, own, work on, or want.

Can I post images in the forums?

Yes, you can post images in the forums using the BBCode method, for example:
[img]http://www.theboaters.com/dev/img/theboaters-logo-flat.jpg[/img] will output:

Do you have a banner that I can display on my web page?

Yes, you just copy and paste this HTML code:

<a href="http://www.theboaters.com" ><img src="http://www.theboaters.com/banners/theboaters-320x220.jpg" width="320" height="220" border="0" /></a>

Why don't I receive any emails, including friend invites from TheBoaters?

Make sure you include our server's email address (notification@theboaters.com) to your whitelist. Check your SPAM mailbox and mark the email as NOT SPAM. Also check that the option for sending email notifications is on in your TheBoaters profile settings.

If I'm a Captain/Crew, can I build my profile in TheBoaters?

Yes, please do. We believe that all who participate in the industry as captains, crew, builders, repairmen and dealers have much to contribute to the social network. Feel free to add the boat(s) you work on. There's even an option for indicating "I worked on this boat." We're glad to have you.



We ask that you provide true, honest and accurate information, and that you agree to help us build the kind of positive online community that will benefit everyone at TheBoaters.