The 3 Most Common Social Media Mistakes Yachting Businesses Make

Running a yachting business is already a full-time job. Between managing clients, maintaining boats, and keeping up with daily operations, social media often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. The result? Many yacht builders, service providers, and marinas either post irregularly or only when something “big” happens.

But here’s the truth: social media is often the first impression your business gives to future clients. It’s your digital dock — the place where people check if you’re trustworthy, active, and worth contacting.

Over the years, I’ve seen the same mistakes repeated again and again in the yachting world. Here are the three most common ones — and how to avoid them.

1. Only Posting Boats for Sale

One of the biggest mistakes I see is businesses treating social media like a sales board. Every post is about a boat for sale, a charter offer, or a special promotion.

While these posts have their place, they don’t build trust or long-term connection. Social media is not just a digital shop window — it’s where people learn who you are.

The Fix: Balance your sales posts with stories. Show the behind-the-scenes: your team at work, a freshly polished hull, a client preparing to set sail. Share knowledge about maintenance, navigation, or marina life. These authentic posts build authority and keep your audience engaged between sales campaigns.

2. Posting Inconsistently

Another common mistake is posting whenever there’s time — which often means weeks or even months of silence. For a client looking you up online, this can raise doubts: Are they still active? Do they care about communication?

Consistency doesn’t mean posting every day. It means showing up regularly, whether that’s once a week or a few times per month. When people see consistent updates, it signals reliability.

The Fix: Create a simple content plan. Even a handful of posts each month — scheduled ahead of time — can keep your business visible and reassure your clients. Consistency is more important than volume.

3. Using Too Much Stock Content

Stock photos can look polished, but they rarely tell your story. Clients can often tell when an image isn’t real — and it creates distance instead of connection. In yachting, where craftsmanship and trust are everything, that distance can cost you business.

The Fix: Use real photos whenever possible. They don’t need to be perfect — even smartphone shots can feel more authentic than a glossy stock image. If you want higher-quality visuals, consider working with a content creator who can capture your marina, yard, or boats in action. Real content builds real trust.

Why These Mistakes Matter

Yachting is a world built on trust, expertise, and relationships. When your social media only shows sales, is irregular, or feels too generic, you miss the chance to build that connection online.

The good news? These mistakes are easy to fix. With a little planning and a focus on authenticity, your social media can become a powerful extension of your reputation — helping you attract clients long before they walk down the dock.

⚓ Is your business making one of these mistakes? Sealikes Socials helps yacht builders, service providers, and marinas create authentic, consistent content that builds trust.

👉 Contact us today to keep your brand visible online.