People versus Sailing

[Wotname]

OK, the title really should have read "People AND Sailing" but I just wanted to get your attention .

Wheels posted something the other day on another thread that stuck in my mind. I haven't quoted it fully but it was something along the lines of "CF is really more about people than it is about the technical aspects of sailing / cruising."

I happened across CF when I was googleing for some technical info about sailing. I found what I was looking but kept coming back for a few days. There was something different about this site but I wasn't sure what. I had visted a few other sailing forums but never found much to interest me - I am not a big computer / internet fan - I just use them when I have to.

Since joining CF, I have become an avid CF fan but only when Wheels posted his "people more so than sailing" thing did I realize why I am still here. This is great place to meet and converse with people who love cruising. There is such a wide cross section of folk, much more so than say in a yacht club or whatever. And I can ask questions, talk, comment, make jokes and generally relate to whoever comes along. It seems very similiar to a very large family, everyone has a lot in common but also has differnet ideas and knowledge. One doesn't always like every other member all the time, but one always sticks together with the family regardless .

And apart from increasing my boating knowledge, I am really learning some finer nuances of other nationalities and there are some posters that I will always read regardless of the subject matter - I just love their comments.

Thanks everyone and especially thanks to the Mods and the other site helpers.

[Den]

I couldn't really find any forums when doing searches and finally came upon here. I remember finding a few sites but they seemed to assume I knew everything. LOL.

I can't say I have any real experience with other sailing forums as I didn't really find much, mostly came up with Hi-Performance powerboats! Haha.

But I have lot's of experience with auto forums and a few others and must say I like the feel here. Once I found this place I stopped looking.

[swagman]

All well said.
The sites genuinly 'friendly' - and think thats what attracts me also.
JOHN

[David_Old_Jersey]

Yeah, I agree this site has a certain something "extra"......I think being freindly goes a long way.

Although I know a little bit (or so) about messing around in boats their are plenty of people on here who know wayyyyyy more than I will ever probably learn......but they are willing to share, do not use their superior knowledge to brow beat or intimidate others that allows others to chip in without the risk of anyone jumping down their throat.....which all goes towards creating a sense of "community"....otherwise it is just another forum with factions fighting over an ever decreasing pie......

[Pblais]

I haven't quoted it fully but it was something along the lines of "CF is really more about people than it is about the technical aspects of sailing / cruising."

It's true. I've been active on line for about 18 years. Some places seem to get it right and this place did from the start when Gislel started it and was why Andy R acquired it. we all want it be this way or more this way (what ever this way really is).

we think we know what it is that is different and it often is hard to say in a few words but that quote does it as well as most any and I'm sure Alan and the rest of us could take it as the main reason.

I've had the pleasure of meeting a few members in real life and as good as they are on line most are even better when you meet them and get a face and a smile to go with them.

[MarkJ]

Yep, its all about friendliness here, as well as on the water.
We are in Colon, Panama waiting for our transit of the Panama canal this Wednesday.

We must have 4 line handlers to transit. Cost $110 US each. Of course Nicolle makes one. Then it comes down to paying, or, being friendly with the other cruisers. If you are friendly, people will help. If you are a tosser with a dirty boat people won't help.

So work out the cost of friendliness.

We were line handlers on another boat the other day, a 46 foot cat. We said yes to the people because we:
a) liked them because they were friendly
b) We needed to have the experience
c) Their boat is kept clean and the dunny doesn’t smell!

In conclusion: If you are a prick in the real world you will pay the extra $330.

I think CF is a wonderfuly friendly place! I'm loving it!


Mark

[ssullivan]

Are you guys going to cruise the Pacific now... heading toward home?

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Yep, its all about friendliness here, as well as on the water.
We are in Colon, Panama waiting for our transit of the Panama canal this Wednesday.

We must have 4 line handlers to transit. Cost $110 US each. Of course Nicolle makes one. Then it comes down to paying, or, being friendly with the other cruisers. If you are friendly, people will help. If you are a tosser with a dirty boat people won't help.

So work out the cost of friendliness.

We were line handlers on another boat the other day, a 46 foot cat. We said yes to the people because we:
a) liked them because they were friendly
b) We needed to have the experience
c) Their boat is kept clean and the dunny doesn’t smell!

In conclusion: If you are a prick in the real world you will pay the extra $330.

I think CF is a wonderfuly friendly place! I'm loving it!


Mark

[Pblais]

In conclusion: If you are a prick in the real world you will pay the extra $330.

Hey it's the stuff you learn as a kid. Being nice always matters. If you do it all the time people tend to think you really are. It's an international thing too. You don't speak the language but you smille and offer up a cold one and suddenly friend s for life. It's too bad we don't have a bar on this forum.

[Hud3]

Good thread, and good post, Wotname. It's a good thing to stop and take stock of things every now and then--get the priorities sorted out.

I'm still relatively new here, but I've found CF to be a really good balance between the factual/technical side of cruising, and the lighter, fun stuff. It's been a real education for me to try to pick up on the nuances in word choices and phraseology amongst our international cast of characters. Speaking of "characters", I've also enjoyed getting to know the online personalities, as well.

You're a great bunch of folks! Cheers!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Pblais

It's too bad we don't have a bar on this forum.

We would never get any work done! LOL

Originally Posted by ssullivan

Are you guys going to cruise the Pacific now... heading toward home?

We are tossing up between going home, getting desk jobs and paying off loans, or go finding a coconut up a palm tree and sitting under it


Mark

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

We are tossing up between going home, getting desk jobs and paying off loans, or go finding a coconut up a palm tree and sitting under it

Careful, more people are killed by falling coconuts every year than shark attacks.

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

We are tossing up between going home, getting desk jobs and paying off loans, or go finding a coconut up a palm tree and sitting under it


Mark

Aaahhhhh.... the eternal struggle.

We are always caught in that one as well. If you find any miracles, let me know!

Striking that balance is (to me) the most difficult part of living aboard. The soul wants to be free... the money manager says, "NO!!!"

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Hud3

...Speaking of "characters", I've also enjoyed getting to know the online personalities, as well.

Ahh, yes, the "characters" - I forgot to mention them, where would we be without them, they really help to make this place interesting in the best possibile way.

[Den]

I like that I can dream and though I wasn't planning to post much am made comfortable enough to do so.