Two recent events have perked interest in the subject of women in boating. Cole Brauer became the first American woman to sail nonstop around the world alone, completing a 30,000-mile voyage over 130 days at sea last year. Last month, Kirsten Neuschafer became the first woman to win the Golden Globe Round-the-World Race. Tampa Bay is arguably one of the best boating areas in America, so, it’s not surprising many women are regularly boating on these waters.
For Abbey Heimensen, boating serves as both work and recreation. As Vice President of Marketing for MarineMax, the largest retailer of recreational boats and yachts with 130 locations worldwide, she, along with her husband, Colin, and their goldendoodle, Baxter the Yachtsman, enjoy the Tampa Bay waters aboard their Boston Whaler 280. Introduced to boating by her grandparents, today she takes advantage of bareboat chartering in the British Virgins with MarineMax Vacations.
Kris Self boasts a four-decade sailing tenure and is the proud owner of a Gulfstar 41 sloop designed and built in the Tampa area. Leading the 1,300-member group Women Who Sail Tampa Bay, Self organizes regular seminars for female boaters. “Sailing is beyond a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. Sailing is on my calendar in ink. It makes me feel a whole person.” From her home in historic Kenwood, Self is plotting several long-range adventures while serving as Director of the National Women’s Sailing Association.
Sharyn Craig’s life revolves around boating – spending significant time each year aboard yachts brokered by Galati Yacht Sales with her husband. Their adventures range from European waters, attending the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix, to local escapades near the Anclote Lighthouse. Their voyages on a 130-foot Westport yacht have taken them from Italy to Montenegro, through Alaska’s wilderness, and to Hawaii for whale watching. More than a seasoned angler with global tournament accolades, Craig enjoys jet skiing, snorkeling and more.
Competition is in Allison Jolly’s blood. Growing up in St. Pete, she started sailing at age 10 with her family. In 1988, after winning two Intercollegiate Women’s Sailing Championships and the U.S. Yachtswoman of the Year award (youngest woman ever at 20), she won a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics in the 470 class sailboat, despite a mast fitting coming loose in the last race. Along with her crew, they stopped on the race course – letting the entire fleet sail past – repaired it and fought their way back to ninth place. Since then, Jolly became head coach of the USF sailing team and helped them win three National Championships, eight Conference Championships and be in the Top Ten College Sailing rankings.
Peg Phillips of Clearwater loves boating and her goal is to make it safe. Joining the National Safe Boating Council in 2018 as Executive Director, she immediately turned the 501(c) nonprofit around to meet goals. Now her focus is on creating programs that provide qualified boating instructors and ensuring boating families wear life jackets. Through Federal grants, the Council offers online courses, safety videos, a Skipper’s Club (ages 13-19) and more. Phillips enjoys fishing from her 14-foot Lowe Jonboat, accompanied by her 91-pound goldendoodle, Rudder, who, yes, wears a life jacket.
Chris Caswell is an award-winning writer and the former editor of several yachting magazines. He has appeared on Oprah as a boating lifestyle expert and hosted the Marine Voyager series on the Speed Channel.
