Find The Curators And The Classic Boat Culture Will Be In A Better Place.
Jim Street had the gene
This week we have talked about dopamine and mind sets based on our times. But there is a genetic part of all this.
This is gonna be way outta my league, because I know nothing about DNA, but I am old, and very observant. And some people like collecting, and some people want only the latest stuff. And there is very little one can do to change that. It’s baked in. Through life experiences or it JUST is. My Grandmother had the gene, she loved collecting. Not in a hoarding kinda way, but collecting things that reminded her of her life journey. She did this until the day she died at 106.
In Yip Yap
Both my sons have it big time. Collecting and saving. And the Boatress? Well if its a day old it’s gone! Trust me, I think about that every morning when I look in the mirror.
So? What is this Gene? Well, I recall Rabbit talking about this about 15 years ago. They called these persona’s “Curators”, and that mind set can be targeting and talked to. And that is where we come in. Yes a long journey to get here.. …
PLAN, note Plane!
Your media planning. WHAT IS MEDIA PLANNING? Well, it’s where you plan on reaching your target. And you have to understand your target. no reason to run an ACBS ad in WIRED magazine. Or even a magazine for that matter.
Use social media in a focused way
Maybe you run your marketing on Tik Tock, Instagram, and target people that like older things, collecting, and art. These are all the sort of mind sets that our passion should reach. Currently we are thinking it’s age, IT IS NOT! It’s mindset, and that is ageless. Here are some possible media locations to reach this target.
Instagram – Instagram is a visual space. And you can target folks that like vintage stuff, classic cars, architecture, art, sculpture, tattoo’s history, Any collecting, Pez dispensers, you get the idea?
Tik Tok, -target the same people, but be more educational. Show how simple stuff can be,.
Facebook, Is an older demographic, and so full of crap, that I am not sure why anymore. But the classified section is fun, and crazy and the closest thing to a flea market out there.
METADATA-START
Boat Shows are great, put your posters up around areas that are more hands on type business’s. Trades,
NOW, this is the number one most un obvious idea. This “gene” is not just rich old white men. The curator gene does not recognize race, gender, religion, sexual preference, or dietary choices. Okay, I added that last one to make a point. Vegans can be curators as well. OH no.. Hold on, I just googled vegans, and ADD alert. There are 12 types of Vegans. Dear god.
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Ethical Vegan:
This is the most common type, driven by the belief that animals should not be exploited for any purpose, including food, clothing, or entertainment.
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Health Vegan:
These individuals adopt a vegan diet primarily to improve their health, often focusing on nutrient-dense plant-based foods.
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Environmental Vegan:
This type is motivated by concerns about the environmental impact of animal agriculture.
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Raw Vegan:
Raw vegans consume only uncooked, unprocessed plant-based foods, often believing in the power of raw foods to improve health.
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Junk Food Vegan:
This term refers to vegans who may indulge in processed vegan foods, such as vegan burgers, fries, and ice cream, while still adhering to the core principles of veganism.
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Activist Vegan:
These individuals are actively involved in campaigning and advocacy for animal rights and veganism.
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Fitness Vegan:
This type of vegan focuses on using plant-based foods to fuel their athletic activities and maintain a healthy body.
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Whole Food Vegan:
Whole food vegans primarily consume unprocessed, plant-based foods, similar to raw food vegans, but may still cook their food.
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Level 5 Vegan:
This term refers to vegans who strive for a highly ethical lifestyle, extending beyond dietary choices to include minimizing animal exploitation in all aspects of their lives.
Okay, the Fries are a sort of Vegan. Ketchup? The paper plate thats vegan. And that chicken sure looks like a rabbit. YIKES.
OKAY, okay, okay. You can get caught up in rabbit holes all day long if you look too hard. Just think CURATOR TYPE. Look in the mirror and see who you are INSIDE, and what drives you and look for those types. And maybe, just maybe think TOFU on A Stick…. AHHHHHHHHHHHH
Just a reminder to all the WoodyBoater curator genes that we are just a couple weeks away from our Michigan gang party!
I post bi-daily on instagram and facebook all about wooden boats – sharing the message of wooden boats that some people enjoy- Matt is a inspiration and a leader in this field -kevlarbike
Curator? Maybe?
Hoarder? Possibly.
Crazy as a loon? Most definitely.
Wanting and waiting for all these boats (and then some) to get the right butt in the right boat?
Priceless.
Love your insta kevlarbike. Keep up the great work.
Speaking of curation, Matt, we were blessed to find a 1939 vintage log and knotty pine cabin in 1998. Over the years we just accumulated vintage cabin stuff, a lot like your railway. Free, cheap, found. None of it was planned or even sought. People who visit for the first time ask who was our decorator. There was none. So we call ourselves accidental curators.
Then there are true curators. I count myself fortunate to be able to visit Lee Anderson’s and John Allen’s collections almost yearly. Their taste, their attention to every detail, not just in their boats and cars, but in the way and the places they display them. Curators with a capital C. They also use their collections, which is so important. Then combine that with their generosity in sharing it all with us, well, I actually am happy those boats aren’t in a museum.
Ok, I’m rambling as much as Matt. What were we talking about again?
A Curator of anything wood boats require the financial resources and real estate to build and maintain their collection. A Docent, on the other hand, only need communication skills and the collection of others, such as a Maritime Museum. There exist Maritime museums all over the country. How many of you have considered volunteering at a Maritime Museum as a Docent? I am not aware of a more perfect place to instill the Maritime Mutative Gene in a young person.
The world of wooden boats, rich in craftsmanship and history, serves as a fitting metaphor for the collaborative roles of curators and docents. Like the hull of a well-built vessel, the curator provides the structure and foundation for preserving and presenting cultural heritage. The docent, akin to the sails catching the wind, brings movement, life, and direction to the journey of education and engagement. Together, they ensure that the culture of wooden boats—and the people who built and sailed them—continue to inspire future generations. In a time when preserving history and fostering curiosity are more important than ever, the interplay between these two roles remains indispensable.
cure
Okay, this photo posted by Steve Lapkin is exactly why the classic wood boat hobby isn’t catching on with a younger set. It’s a wonderful photo of a million dollar boat. And there’s the problem – how many young people can afford a million dollar boat? The ACBS glorifies the 6 figure restorations of Chris Crafts, Garwood, Hacker crafts and the like. Again, how many young people have the financial resources to undertake that? Yes, when one of these works of art goes by the dock, all of the heads turn. But when people of reasonable financial resources look in to the cost of restoring a boat like that or even buying one restored, they lose interest.
Matt, you continue to be tone deaf to the comments many have made this week that younger people are struggling to buy a home, raise a family, and pay off student debt. It’s a relative few who have the deep pockets to handle life financially and take up the wooden boat hobby. As was noted earlier this week, the most likely candidates are middle age empty nesters.
As for engaging young people, I know this is “WoodyBoater”, we need to embrace “classic” fiberglass outboard boats and smaller plywood outboard boats.
I look at the docks of the many boat shows I attend and I’m pleased by the ever increasing presence of younger participants with family classics in all sizes and ranges of prices. Our hobby is very Democratic.
Equally important is that it is affordable. Ski boats sell for 175,000 to 400,000 dollars. You can get beautiful classic mahogany boats starting around 50,000. Start modest, move up the latter. I know many in our region who are doing that.
Let’s not have a pity party for all young people. Many are making far more than the parents did.
ACBS and Woody Boater do an outstanding job of celebrating the amazing range of boats in our hobby. That coverage increases visibility and awareness. The interested have multiple levels of entry, not just expensive boats.
thanks DAD!
Today, we are discussing the target market for promoting antique and classic boats: Young people, middle class, new empty nesters, retired folk, collectors, etc. Certainly, all of those could be considered targets—if they have enough disposable income to buy the boat, store the boat between uses, maintain the boat, and provide adequate insurance to cover the boat. If they don’t have enough disposable income, they have to lessen the costs of ownership (e.g., have the skills, tools, and facility needed to restore or maintain the boat and be able to store the boat at their place of residence, etc.). People with young families are the least likely group to have the money or time needed, especially if the children are active in activities and sports. The highest opportunities for recruitment to this hobby, in my opinion, are the new empty nesters and the newly retired. They generally have both the time and the disposable income. The trick is to teach them how to maintain the boat and engine as well as how to keep the brightwork shiny. If they buy an old boat that has been recently restored, those two things will keep it running well and looking good without the major investment of money or time. So, if your community has a newcomer’s club, do a short presentation on this topic. You could offer to do this presentation to a local civic club, to the local library, or as a workshop at a boat show. Hook ‘em first, then reel them in!
Below is my husband’s newly renovated CC Cavalier, just splashed last week. This is his ninth boat renovation.