The Boat Mom: Making Boating Safe, Approachable and Achievable for Parents

While scrolling through Instagram, I recently discovered a thoughtful and practical feed from The Boat Mom—Paula Sleiman. A mother to 3-year-old Kai and the owner of two 21-foot Nautiques, Sleiman uses her account to demystify boating for parents and women who want to feel confident on the water. She pilots the model with a direct-drive inboard engine, while her husband, Dusty Able, prefers the 21 powered by a V-drive. Her content is personal, down-to-earth and aimed at helping others balance family life with a love of boating.

From Childhood on the Mediterranean to Lake Conway

Sleiman, 38, grew up in a boating family and spent much of her childhood exploring the Mediterranean Sea. Today, she and her family boat together primarily on Lake Conway in Orlando, Florida. Both she and Dusty work as engineers at Correct Craft, and Paula commutes easily from her workplace to the lake. Her background—family boating, professional experience and her partnership with an equally boat-focused spouse—gives her a deep and practical knowledge of life on the water.

How The Boat Mom Began

The idea for The Boat Mom came from a conversation at a sales training meeting. A dealer pointed out a need: women were looking for other women to show them that boating can be safe, approachable and achievable—even if you’ve never captained a boat before. That observation resonated with Sleiman. She began paying attention to how women on her lake interacted with their boats and noticed many were not driving and often left most tasks to their spouses. Rather than criticizing, she decided to help change that dynamic.

Practical, Relatable Content for Busy Parents

Sleiman created The Boat Mom persona for personal reasons—she says it is not a business venture—and she uses it to support and encourage others. Her posts cover helpful, real-world topics: how to pack for a day on the water with a toddler, practical tips for launching and trailering a boat, and approachable explanations of engine anatomy, including a pop quiz on inboard engines. Her content is designed to be accessible to working parents who don’t have hours to dedicate to learning boating, but want clear, useful guidance they can apply immediately.

Building Community and Confidence

What stands out about Sleiman’s feed is the community it creates. Mothers and other boaters respond with questions and shared experiences, and Sleiman often highlights contributors and peers. She emphasizes that boating doesn’t require perfection—just preparation, safety awareness and a willingness to learn. That message is particularly empowering for mothers who may feel uncertain about taking on responsibilities traditionally handled by others in their family.

Upcoming Series: Voices from Different Seasons of Life

This summer, The Boat Mom will feature a series of tips from mothers in various life stages. The series will include perspectives on boating with teenagers, as well as viewpoints from grandmothers and women who balance parenting with regular time on the water. The goal is to showcase a range of experiences so other parents can see how boating can fit into different family rhythms and responsibilities.

Why This Matters

Encouraging more women to feel comfortable behind the helm helps spread safety, shared responsibility and enjoyment. When more family members understand the basics of boat handling, safety equipment, and preparation, outings become more relaxed and inclusive. Practical guidance—like packing smartly for small children, securing life jackets properly, and understanding simple engine components—goes a long way toward reducing anxiety and increasing confidence.

If you know other moms who want to stay on the water after becoming parents, Sleiman welcomes connections and contributions from people in different seasons of life. Her account is an example of how one person’s effort to share knowledge and build community can make boating more accessible and enjoyable for many families.

Jeanne Craig, [email protected]

This article was originally published in the May 2024 issue.