[sailingdog]

A good opening post should have a topic or subject line that describes what the thread will be about. It should also have a clear description of the question or problem that needs an answer. It should say what you have tried, if anything. It should provide the basic information that is necessary to solve the problem.

Here is a fairly good example of a good Opening Post from a recent thread, by a recent addition to our online community:

Subject Line:

The boat seems to be leaking water through the "tiller hole"...

The subject line says exactly what the problem is...
Body of Post

First off, the boat is a 1972 Bristol 26, swing keel version

Notice, he says right off what kind of boat it is, even which keel it has...

So on the way down the Hudson River from Kingston Sunday, we noticed that there was water leaking into the cockpit from the point where the "tiller base" (the part of the tiller assembly that is screwed to the floor of the cockpit) and the "spindle" (what I assume is a rod of some sort that is connected to the rudder).

We got the boat this spring (see "long island sound to hudson river cruise" thread) and are sure there has never been water leaking in before. We had a bungee cord wrapped around the tiller to keep the boat pointed in a steady direction, our "auto tiller"....and after we took the bungee off, the water stopped leaking a little while later. In total, there was about a half liter of water into the cockpit over the course of an hour or so.

He describes when he noticed the problem, and what the problem appears to be. He mentions that the problem is new, and references a previous thread of his... he'd get more points if he had actually linked to the thread in his post.

I did some investigative work, and there is a "tube" (what looks like a fiberglass pipe that looks like it is molded into the bottom of the hull) that goes from the cockpit straight down through the bottom of the boat. This is where my "rudder spindle" goes through. There was no water leaking in this area at all....in fact, it was dusty. Only several drops of water that I could tell were leaking in from above through the cockpit floor, where the "rudder spindle passes".

He says what he did to find out more about his problem.

My conclusion:

moderate to heavy pressure downward on the tiller puts pressure onto whatever gasket is inside the "tiller tube".

whatever gasket is in there is probably pretty old and should be replaced at the next convenience

And what he thinks the problem is...

My questions:

Worry about it now, or don't worry about it until this fall when we take the boat out....or if it gets worse before then, deal with it then

Can I deal with such a thing while the boat is in the water? I could see why totally disconnecting the assembly would probably mean my rudder would fall to the bottom.

It looks like my cockpit floor is above the waterline....maybe thats a given.

whaddya think, paranoid...or "another something to add to the list"

-Marty

Then he asks his questions...

Fairly clear, concise and with all the information you need to give appropriate advice.

Contrast that with the following post:

Subject Line:

Need a little advice

Subject line is a bit vague... isn't it....

Body of Post

I am planning a trip to the Upper Peninsula this summer. I am planning to take my newly purchased Cal 21. I am a novice sailor and feel a little intimidated to sail on lake Michigan but, REALLY want to sail while there. Can any one recommend an inland lake that would be a good one to try out?

Thanks.

Now the body of the post says his plans, and his fears...and asks a good question... but some information we need is missing. He doesn't say where he is located. Exactly how are we to suggest an inland lake for him to try out, if we don't know where he is? Overall, this isn't as bad as some opening posts...but if he said where he lived, it would be really easy to answer his question pretty well. From his UP reference, I could guess he is from Michigan, but he might have just gone to school there, and lives in Oklahoma...

Now here's a subject line that is a bit less vague...but could have been so much better:

Subject Line:

Boat Club Needed

Subject line is a bit vague...

Body of Post

Does anyone know of any good sailboat clubs in the Ft. Lauderdale area? My present income and lack of free time prevents me from purchasing my own boat. Right now I live in the D.C. area and there are several good sailing clubs around the region where, for a yearly fee, you can sail almost as much as you want. I am looking for these types of clubs around Ft. Lauderdale, where I will be moving in July. So far, my internet searches have been useless. Any Leads would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

He says what his problem is, and what information he's looking for. In his first sentence he says Ft. Lauderdale. Would it have killed him to put Ft. Lauderdale in the Subject Line???

If you're looking for help... please, make it as easy as possible for people to help you. These two aren't even close to being winners for the worst opening post...