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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/13/2007 : 08:00:07

I have a question that I would like to pose. As out going Commodore I will not be a part of any action this might generate but it is an idea that has bubbled up occasionally.
Currently we have two kinds of memberships:
One to this forum where you simply register and have access to the community that resides here; it is free.
One that entitles you to the Mainsheet Magazine, participation in regattas and cruises, the right to fly our burgee and to vote and hold office; it costs $22 a year. The money from these true Association members supports the magazine subscriptions but also provides the operating funds for this forum, a book keeper, funds for worthy events and other asundry petty cash needs.
Here is the question; should we have a new membership level that provides a member with full standing in the Association but does not generate a magazine subscription? I enjoy the magazine a lot, bear in mind though that I am always in it and being a self aggrandizing pompous butt it is worth the price of the magazine just to see myself in it. But I wonder how many of the general membership really care about the magazine. I wonder if more forum only members would join the Association if the dues were lower.
So a little discussion please, what do you think about a new Association membership level that does not include the subscription to the Mainsheet Magazine?

Frank Hopper, Commodore

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3439 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 08:35:33

Actually, I enjoy scanning/reading the articles in the magazine and figure the little bit extra dough in the membership fee helps pay for the Association Operating costs, the regattas and other Association supported events. The chances of me participating in one of the events is nil (no trailer and no interest in travelling long distances to participate in one of the events) but...so far, if the membership fee is held pretty much at it's cost right now, then I am okay with that.

One somewhat disappointment is that those that pay have access to the Members Area. But there is not a whole lot of resource info in the Members Area or at least no new or current year articles. Believe the upgrade/hint manuals are located there and that is at least one enticement to have access to that area. I guess it is hard to get support/keep addl more current or new info in the Members Area.

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 09:38:18

I do not pay $22 for the Mainsheet. I pay it to support this board and Association supported events. If it cost $30, I would pay it. I feel the return far exceeds the investment. The combined knowledge of its members (who give so freely) continues to amaze me.
With regards to a reduced price membership that doesn't include the Mainsheet...provide the option and the market will dictate.

Edited by - on

brrit
1st Mate

Members Avatar

80 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 09:43:01

Frank:

Personally, I think giving folks the option of being a member without The Mainsheet is a great option.

With that said, we might find in a couple of years that no one is taking advantage of it and could get rid of it then. If they are using this option, then it is a success.

As long as it doesn't cause too much extra work for the officers, I say give it a try. Nothing lost in giving it a whirl.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 10:50:23

I'm in favor of a membership sans magazine. Our section is such a small part of the Mainsheet that I would have though that "Telltales" would cover it more than adequately. Personally, I would not miss the "Mainsheet".

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4302 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 11:18:03

As a relatively new member on this forum I've been meaning to ask the following question.

I don't own a C25 yet but will as soon as I can find the right boat. I wanted to join this association but when I was filling out the form it appeared to me that I have to own a boat to join ( I was in a hurry when filling out the form and maybe I just misunderstood the process). Is that correct? I hope not because I would like to join now. I've gained enough knowledge about the C25 in a month to avoid making some serious and costly mistakes when buying a boat. In addition I've learned a lot of do's and don'ts when I do get a boat. That information is invaluable to me and I want to support this forum and the association behind it!

Thanks,
GaryB

Edited by - GaryB on 09/13/2007 11:19:37

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 11:22:00

Non owners can join as associate members, many of our former owners fall into that category.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 11:33:51

The articles about the other classes in Mainsheet often offer thoughts/suggestions valuable for all sailors. Plus, it's not that large a sum, I say keep the levels as they are.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 12:00:12

Frank I agree with Jerry, in a sense ,"DON'T ROCK THE BOAT" suits me just fine.

When I joined this organization I had just purchased a Cat 25 swinger with problems and had nowhere to turn. I found my solutions on my own. Having said that, what I needed then was what this organization provides now, and recognizing this have supported this group knowing that there are others who may now be in a position that I had been in previously. From my point of view this group is what's needed, nothing more, nothing less.

MONEY IS A NON-ISSUE.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

gop711
1st Mate

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Armenia
83 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 12:35:04

As a new member, I personally like to get the magazine. Heck, I like to get any sailing magazine.

Greg

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 14:43:01

I've never been a magazine reader and the Mainsheet takes me about 10 minutes at most to go cover to cover, so I certainly wouldn't miss it.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 15:41:20

Like most, I didn't join for the Mainsheet. I enjoy reading it, I've even contributed an artcle to the thing, but it's not the forum is what drives this train. I would pay the $22 bucks for the forum alone. Add the third option though and see how it goes.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 16:19:17

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Modify it instead?

Modification does seem to be the credo for sailboat owners.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 16:53:57

I think the option to opt out of the MainSheet and become a member at a reduced cost just may increase membership. I'm sure there are many C25/250 forum lurkers out there that may join and participate on the forum if the dues were reduced. I feel the full $22 buck membership deal may be preventing them from participating.

Personally I like the MainSheet and will continue to want it. I like reading about the different Catalina boats as I try to make my mind up which one I want.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 17:51:40

Since we still have our C-22 in addition to the C-25, we belong to both National Associations. C-22 National dues are $25, so the $22 charged by the C-25 Association is a bargain and is fine with me. If paying $22 helps support this forum, it's worth it in spades. BTW, I received both the Mainsheet for all fleets and the separate issue for only the C-22's with just the C-22 dues, so I'm not benefiting any extra in the magazine department by paying the $22.

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 18:09:17

Like others, I don't get much out of the Mainsheet. The 25/250 information usually shows up on the forum before it's in the magazine. On the other hand, I believe the cost of membership is a bargain. Heck, I'd pay the $22 without the magazine subscription.

Maybe someone can remind me how much of our membership goes toward the Mainsheet?

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 18:29:58

do any of the other catalina organizations give this option?

How much extra work on our already "worked hard and hung up wet" officers if we go with this option?

Sometime in the past the Catalina 22 association broke away from the national organization, hence no representation in the mainsheet. Could this issue have been a factor? What would having the option do to the 25 association's relationship with the overall Catalina association?

Many questions

but no answers

I would vote with whatever the officer in charge of the extra paperwork which this would create would decide.

Of course hopefully I'll soon be an ex-Catalina 25 owner, and just be part of the Admiralty fleet. But I'll probably still pay dues for a while.

Edited by - on

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 19:50:06

I'm with Frank. $22.00 is pretty cheap for what you get here just from the forum. I'll vote for the cost benefit thing with the preponderance of the evidence going to what makes least work for the officers.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 19:53:08

I barely glance at Mainsheet--for one thing, the grammar and spelling errors in a glossy piece annoy me. (Apologies to those here who contribute to it--I'm not talking about you!

) However, I doubt that a few bucks off the dues would affect my inclination to pay them. I renewed last year after selling Passage... and was a freeloading lurker before I bought her. I doubt that the $20 (then) influenced my decision to pony up any more than the $22 (now) would cause me to consider quitting. Most lurkers probably don't pay because the forum is all they want, and it's "free."

As another kind of incentive to join (and renew), how about, instead of the goofy titles (Master Marine Consultant

), we simply put "Member" or "Guest" on posts?

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 20:28:11

I would opt out of recieving the magazine.

I flip through it, but there is very little that is news or that has any impact on me.
I find the writing tedious. Far too many of the contributors fill their alloted space with ramblings about how they almost missed the deadline or don't have much to say or its 'that time of the year again'. (a statement attributed to every season in every issue)
Personal musings are fine when well written, but an autobiographical column without context or clarity, such as those often found in the Mainsheet, annoy me. Unlike other sailing mags, I don't take it to my reading chair, I flip through it while standing over the recycle bin.
I don't mind stilted or poor writing if the writer has something to say.At the risk of belabouring the point, I simply don't see much purposeful content in Mainsheet.
I read SAIL , Old Boat, occasionally Atts & Lats and West Coast Sailor. Mags with something to say.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 20:52:02

For me, the magazine is the only sail mag I receive, so I'm kinda attached to it. It's the forum: The community, knowledge, wit, experience, lumps and bumps and all that makes it worth while being part of the Assn.

We earn $$ from the ads thanks to Duane, and that has to contribute to the expenses of the forum.

If the Assn didn't have any gold in the coffers, then covering the annual regatta would be tough (promised entries v arrivals).

One day we'll participate in the Assn regatta, and then we'll be really glad that we supported the Assn via the $22 (less than the cost of a cup of javajava at moonbucks once a month for the year.)

I would like to see more value in the members only area, but that's tough as the forum is such a huge part of this site.

Paul

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 07:30:25

As others have noted, I am a member to support the Association, not to receive the Mainsheet. As a magazine, the Mainsheet could/should be greatly improved with a few guidelines on objectives, writing, improved graphics, etc. without much, if any, extra work. One of the intangibles provided by this Association and somewhat by the Mainsheet is the visibility our boats are given which, in turn, contributes to interest in them and in their keeping their value. Personally I would like to see a separate thread dedicated specifically to the Mainsheet and what changes members would like to see implemented.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 13:45:43

I like the idea of "member, or guest"

I barely look at the mainsheet either, so whatever causes less work for the officers is which way we should go.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 14:49:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 I like the idea of "member, or guest"<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Me too!

I think it might stir up some memberships--a gentle prod. (Personally, I'd hate to be a "guest" when I reach half a million posts!)

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 18:43:39

Let's go w/less work for our Officers!

Edited by - on

roberoo
Navigator

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USA
182 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 21:52:16

Whatever is easier. i read the mainsheet, But I can get the same type of info off the forum. Again I say also whatever is easier on the officers.

Edited by - on

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