duke_of_hazard

I understand how a boat is better suited to carrying a folder. However, folders can be used by anyone who drives a car, takes a subway/train and also fly. The percentage of customers who own boats I would think is very small? So why do most folding bike company market them specifically to boat owners as though they are a significant percentage of the market?

Spudmeister

Maybe boat owners are a significant percentage of the market. I had not noticed many folder companies targeting boat owners, but why not?

LittlePixel

Boats don't have wheels and ports/quays are often a fair schlepp from the nearest town/main road. A bike is maybe sometimes the only alternative to plain old walking so I guess that's the niche that the potential car-owning market just doesn't offer?

Foldable Two

Makes boat owners feel special having 'dedicated' models.

They are also marketed through folks like WEST MARINE, who are dedicated marine suppliers.

Not too hard to paint it Blue and add some Stainless Steel parts.

StanSeven

LittlePixel has it exactly right. I'm a boat owner and have been looking to buy one for my wife and myself. When you go places, you can anchor out in a bay or creek (in which you'll need a dinghy to get to shore) or go to a marina. In both cases, you don't have any means of transportation. Often grocery and other stores, restaurants, movies, etc. are too far to walk.

Regular bikes take up quite a bit of room and are almsot impossible to fit in a dinghy with our passengers. Folding bikes can be kept places where regular bikes can't, like in the engine compartment.

duke_of_hazard

https://www.dahon.com/us/marinerd7.htm

I suppose they are a significant percentage of the market . I have only had my first folder a Dahon D7 for a few months, but I dont see myself buying any other type of bike. I use it for commutting and often times the weather can change between morning and afternoon. With the folder I can easily get a ride from a co-worker with my folder.. So I think folders are better option for commuting bicyclists?

makeinu

Most human transportation terminates at ground destinations. Since the most popular mode of ground transportation is car, most folks opt to drive their cars to their destinations so they can use them when they get there. However, if, for whatever reason, the person travels via a nonground route such as sea, air, or rail, driving a car becomes significantly less convenient due to the expense and hassle of renting. Thus, alternative means of transportation become more competitive (in particular, folding bicycles).

Since driving a car to a destination usually doesn't necessitate renting a car upon arrival, the option of using alternative means of transportation such as folding bicycles does not generally benefit from the same competitive advantage for car owners that it does for boat owners.

barba

I guess if I had a boat, I would want a bike on it with me.

Sail a bit, ride a bit. Sounds nice.

wrafl

Folder allow sailors to explore their port of call or when going to grocery store to replenish their supplies. Those that bring folders with them usually are cruisers sailing around the world or away from their homeport. I'll bring my Speed 7 if I do some distant sailing from my homeport but for now, it's in the trunk of my car always.

brakemeister

its really cool to tie up in a harbour and get your bike out and check out the surroundings
not to mention getting water/food/etc etc ...

thor

social suicide

Bikes is always more fun......... Bikes! especially vintage folders he he he

ShinyBiker

In the US, you'll also find folders being marketed to RV owners. Giant RVs are hard to park, esp. in congested areas, and you'll find their owners buying folders to go the grocery store or the town center. Camping world sells a lot of Dahon models, for example.