PM Inbox

"IMHO they have become much more of political organization then a lobbying/education group."

Aren't they both one in the same? In other words, since when is a lobby group not a form of political group?

And if their politics/lobbying is pro-boater, how is that a bad thing?
 
quote:
Originally posted by November Charlie

And once again, Mike opens his mouth and inadvertentl causes trouble...

Click to expand...

It's inherent in our nature Mike. Essential for the job I guess. I do it all the time, mostly on purpose though! ;o)
 
Don't get me wrong, I think BoaterEd is the best boat forum site out there, but there are others that claim more members that 25,000. I won't list them here, but one says that they are "The number one site for everything boating" and boasts almost 90,000 members. Unfortunately, it's too darn slow and gets frustrating to use.
 
quote:
Originally posted by blouderback

Don't get me wrong, I think BoaterEd is the best boat forum site out there, but there are others that claim more members that 25,000. I won't list them here, but one says that they are "The number one site for everything boating" and boasts almost 90,000 members. Unfortunately, it's too darn slow and gets frustrating to use.

Click to expand...
it's not the number of members, it's who the members are and what the know and share.
 
Well, yes, that what makes BoaterEd better, in my humble opinion.
 
I didn't say one was better than the other, I said BoatUS was a boater organization. How is it not?
 
I love mike..... Makes us all look like angels....

Oh and about the anchor thing.... u get one lets u take pot shots at les.... But he does fight back

Nov Charle,
Les delete **** all the time ....

Rob
 
Jimmiere, until the late 90s, one couldn't shop in a BoatUS store without being a member. They opened them to the public in an effort to increase sales. The membership includes $50 worth of towing. That's enough coverage to get a towing company to start their engines but not much more. I'm not being negative here but they are a commercial operation. They have done an excellent job getting some boaters to believe that, "BoatUS also conducts consumer protection and lobbying activities to the betterment of boaters." They do well with that concept, being the recipient of government grants of over a quarter million dollars in 2005. Again, I'm not criticizing BoatUS. They've done well with their business concept, except with the stores that they sold to West Marine. However, they are a "for profit" membership organization.
 
I'm not arguing over anything that you have said concerning their business plan and activities, just asking how any of that does NOT make them a boater organization. Not a better boater organization, not a non-profit boater organization, not even a lousy boater organization; just a boater organization.
 
Robski97

Order Items

Qty Part No Item Options Price Total
1 BEMEM2yr BoaterEd Subscription, Two Year RO Name: Jimmiere $34.90 $34.90

Bought and paid for; although asking why someone, even Les, is taking such a strong position on a topic is hardly taking pot shots, and I think Les would agree.
 
"I'm not being negative"

"Again, I'm not criticizing BoatUS."

Sure, if you say so. Twice. ;-)

"However, they are a "for profit" membership organization."

Wow! Next you'll be calling them a capitalist tool! LOL

"Oh and about the anchor thing.... u get one lets u take pot shots at les...."

First it's the search feature then it's PMs and now it's having your own opinion.
 
Thanks for subscribing. As far as boater organizations are concerned, I guess that some of this depends on your definition of a boater's organization. I'd consider the CG Aux and the Power Squadron's a boater's organization. This is probably more of a boater's organization than BoatUS is because there is no direct commercial interest. I know the folks at BoatUS and am quite sure they are not motivated by altruism.

We also have a big advantge over the USCG Aux. and the USPS in that we discuss safety issue in "real time" as opposed to being forced to go strictly by the book. We can disucss, for example, the fact that almost no one signals intentions rather than just reiterating the rules.
 
I'd like to think that at this point we are just talking about "shades of grey". I noticed your careful wording describing BoaterEd "This is probably more of a boater's organization than BoatUS is because there is no direct commercial interest" because while seperate, Boatfix is the 600 pound gorilla lurking in the corner and hard to miss. And while a commercial enterprise, BoatUS has set up a couple of non-profits that benefit or at least appear to benefit boaters and seem at this date to be more autonomous of the parent organization than they used to be.
 
yes, I agree, we are talking shades of grey, except in the case of the USPS and CGAux.
 
Jim,
I was just goofing around... Wasnt directed at u.... Just in general... Les as u can see in his picture is a grumpy guy....

We like to make em work ....

Enough said

Rob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top