New Thread for Site?

First of all; thanks again to Keith for a remarkable and fantastic job for administrating this site--it has to be the best forum since punch cards.

I was wondering, would it be useful to have a "Favorites" thread? It could include topics that are frequently repeated, such a "Stringer Repair", "Stuffing Box," "Teak Cleaning" etc. Some of the most helpful posts could be placed in those threads as "basic information."

Of course I guess if people just use the search function they could find all that.

Chuck

What about a special forum .......... "Boating For Dummies"........
                     OR
.....There is no stupid questions............

This might be included in a Frequently Asked Questions forum but maybe something along the lines of Common Maintenance Procedures. Or a "How To" section. How to properly winterize a motor. How to properly take it out of storage. How to change oil. How to change the impeller. How to change the flax packing rope. How to adjust the steering wheel throw. How to do a shaft alignment. Maybe this is the same thing that Chuck was alluding to, I'm not sure. Maybe this should be a maintenance section instead of an actual forum? Like the diaries, reference or links sections are now. Chuck is right, seems the repeat questions are getting more and more common.

There are all great ideas - keep them coming.

I would really like to do exactly as you all have mentioned - detailed directions for commonly asked tasks and maintenance procedures, with photos and video.

If people want to start emailing me these things, I'll compile them and create the new Forum. I'll try to video tape my winterization this weekend and put it together as a first step. I'll also search the Forums for the 'best' examples already posted. If any of you already have these bookmarked, please email them to me - Keith@CorrectCraftFan.com.

-Keith

Keith,

I would love a "ski talk" forum! I haven't talked skiing on this site much, but I would if others were talking.

Thanks for all the effort!

Gabe

Hollywood wrote: I would think 1 "watersports" forum would be enough

I thought we had enough of the unwanted postings of sex videos!!!

Thanks Keith,
Way cool.

Kieth, If you decided to add and nobody is opposed to a transmission forum, i would help out in anyway i could, it would be a group thing and input from everyone. Transmissions always get overlooked and are a vital element to the whole package, you never hear anyone say "what kinda trans does she got" everyone always wants to know about the motors, it seems that the transmissions have always been a mystery to some, alignment is a critical issue that always gets overlooked on inboards and is never discussed anywhere other than on CCF forums,
Eric

If Keith wants to add new subsections to the forum, or a FAQ section, I think that's great. It will probably help folks navigate the site, etc.

However, I am concerned that over the last several months, I have seen numerous posts where a new member to the site has asked a question only to be chastised to "look it up," "use the search function," "it's all been discussed before."

The fact is, I could probably look up 90% of what is discussed on this site and find a detailed and more accurate response from another source. I don't think that's really the point of the site. Do you?

Many of you have kids. I'm sure you'd be pretty upset if the teacher told your kid "I discussed this last year. Look it up. It's in the text book."

Many of you are religious; attend church; some of you are even ministers. One could argue that there's really no need for a church or ministers when you can look it up. It's all there in the good book.

Again, I don't think that's really the point. BKH

bkhallpass,I think I just saw me in the mirror,Very Well Stated.
Attitude, Attitude Sorry guys must be pms.........boat dr

Idea...put 'troubleshoot my nautique' on the home page. That link goes to a page with the search feature and a simple explaination of how to use it, and FAQ. This page has the search highlighted and prominent with a list of FAQ's starting down the page.

The FAQ's could be put into their own 'experimental' catagory until our pros give the thumbs up.

I also like the idea of a 'motor pic' topic. I'd have them well labeled and from 2 or more angles with all the info the proud owner can add. Old engine pics would be good also...'just the way we found it'

another- Before and after...kind of a diary thing

Brian, thanks for bring this up.

My idea for this site it to be a place for any fan of Correct Craft - the multiple boat owner and boatless alike. Likewise, it's for anyone who in interested in these great boats, regardless of their boating experience or computer knowledge.

To get to this forum someone has to be able to first find the site, then take the time to register for the Forums, and then has to have the courage to post a question. Any and all posts deserve a respective, polite, encouraging response -- regardless if the question has been asked 50 times before.

With that said, I hope that a FAQs Forum will help direct these new users to some very helpful 'articles' for common questions. The real goal is to help those who many never post a question. Of course, an added benefit will be that it will also most likely reduce the number of repeat questions.

However, there will still be the inevitable question from someone new to the site that has been covered a hundred times and is already listed in the FAQs. Please remember that your response to them is most likely their first experience with the site. As many of you already do, let’s do our best to welcome them and make them want to return.

Thanks everyone, as always, for your continued support of the site.

- Keith

Keith, I wanted to suggest that you add the articles regarding the depthsounder, the dripless seal and the propeller test to the common questions forum, I'd see that forum as a more friendly reference section for those common issues.