Women Boaters: SABRE Owners and Enthusiasts breaking the stereotypes

Almost a year ago, I had the pleasure of attending one of our Sabre Owners Association rendezvous.  It was the Long Island Sabre Owners Associations’ 20th Anniversary.  I got to meet and mix it up with owners who proudly showed me their boats and told stories of all the adventures they’ve had on them.  What I found unique about this group of people was the strong contingent of women owners/sailors.  This group’s first commodore was Nancy DeVries.  She is an accomplished sailor who has done 3 transatlantics, over 30,000 miles at sea from cruising and deliveries.  Another accomplished woman sailor following as a commodore of this owners association whom I met was Anne Peskin.  That night as everyone was dancing away I could see that for this group – the women really brought the level of energy for the boating lifestyle to the forefront in their lives.  I know there are a few of you women boaters out there who have great stories of how you found boating as a passion. 

My own boat story began sailing dinghies all summer long on an inland lake in New Hampshire.  It grew and diversified from tall ships to large yachts and race boats and now I find myself more and more on motor yachts while still trying to get out sailing as much as I can.  I don’t come from a ‘boat family’ and I didn’t meet a guy who drew me into it because it was his interest – and I know that I will always be a lifelong boater.  Every confident woman boater I meet impresses me, because even in 2008 where I find women breaking stereotypes and traditional roles within family, career and community – the boat world is still fairly male dominated.  I’ve always felt good working for a company like Sabre where we have a good mix of women involved in management and we design boats that are practical for partners to use together.  Our galley-up version of the 34 Hard Top Express was so popular because women didn’t want to be ‘down stuck in a dark galley’ while cooking or entertaining friends.  I hear this comment at boat shows all the time.  For this and many other reasons, I think we seem to attract the type of women owners who embrace this wonderful pastime in the best of ways.

blogged by, ~Sarah

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