SailNet User Profile Page

[Maine Sail]

Hi All,

OK guilty as charged (sort of)! I've been reading numerous threads on this forum for many years. One thing I find to be a little frustrating is registered users, who ask a question that directly pertains to the the boat/model/engine etc. that they own, but then don't disclose what boat they actually own. This obviously makes it quite tough to answer the question posed. Here's an example of something I see here quite often:

Hi Guys,
I'm wondering if my boat will fit on a trailer and if my truck can tow it?

or

Hi Guys,
What size anchor should I get for my boat?

Without knowing your boat, size or cruising waters it makes it very tough to answer the questions posed...

I challenge all registered users to please do the following:

Option #1

Click on:
"User CP" (upper left of the message board pane)
Then below the words:
"Control Panel"
Click on:
"User Profile"
Then scroll down to where you enter your info and fill in:
"Your Cruising Area"
"Boat Manufacturer"
"Boat Year"
"Boat Length"

It's not necessary to know your name, job, birth date or any of the other info that does not pertain to the regular slew of questions posted on these forums so your privacy is not at risk! Heck the name of your boat is not even important!


OPTION #2

An easier way to achieve the same net result is to create a signature. A signature is nice because then nobody would need to click on your name to figure out what you sail to help answer a question. Signatures can also contain a link to a personal home page or an outside web site!

To add a signature simply do the following:

Click on:
"User CP" (upper left of the message board pane)
Then below the words:
"Control Panel"
Click on:
"Edit Signature"
When the window pops up type your signature including your:
"Screen Name"
"Your Cruising Area"
"Boat Manufacturer"
"Boat Year"
"Boat Length"

Then click:
"Save Signature"

Next click on:
"Edit Options"
Then scroll down to the box that says:
"Thread Display Options"
Now make sure the box for "Show Signature" is checked and you're done!!


As an example this is what my signature looks like:

-Maine Sail

Casco Bay, Maine
CS-36T

Maine Sail's Photo Galleries
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising

By adding this info it will be much easier for members to answer questions that pertain to particular cruising areas, specific boat models etc. etc.. I'm hoping we can get at least 25-30% of all SailNet users to do this.....


P.S. I'm not ranting on any one specifically as, I myself, just now updated my profile information. While I always had my boat model & length in my signature I did not have it on my profile so I too am guilty of this!

[labatt]

Thanks for posting this. I've always been frustrated at similar posts.

[Maine Sail]

You've always had one heck of a signature!!

[Raggbagger]

It may also be usefull for a lot of the questions asked ,to know just how much salt you got crusted on your whiskers . Most people looking for sage advice from the "elders" will say so , but some wont.

Just a thought

If you want to know how seaworthy a particular SV may be , let them know whare ya been , and how long ya been a doin it .

[Maine Sail]

Good Idea Ragbagger so wheres your info? How long have you been sailing???

Perhaps we should all have:

Sailing since 19?? In our signatures.

One of the big ski areas in Maine has an add campaign that consists of folks ending there statements with "Sugarloafer since 1967" or "Sugarloafer since 1987" so what about "Sailing since 1971"

[k1vsk]

I've been sailing since 1966 and still have lots to know and forgot half of what I learned. The bigger problem here seems to me to be the ones who think they know it all who serve only to mislead others with their questionable advice:

e.g., putting "magic dust" in bottom paint,
which battery design is superior in all cases,
which oil filter is the best,
climate change, etc...

summarizing a resume does nothing to support intuitive and incorrect opinion.

All of us would be better served if some would limit the type and extent of advice provided here to that which we KNOW and qualify anything else as pure subjective opinion.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by k1vsk

I've been sailing since 1966 and still have lots to know and forgot half of what I learned. The bigger problem here seems to me to be the ones who think they know it all who serve only to mislead others with their questionable advice:

e.g., putting "magic dust" in bottom paint,
which battery design is superior in all cases,
which oil filter is the best,
climate change, etc...

summarizing a resume does nothing to support intuitive and incorrect opinion.

All of us would be better served if some would limit the type and extent of advice provided here to that which we KNOW and qualify anything else as pure subjective opinion.

AMEN TO THAT!! As a lifelong sailor I learn something new every day. Nothing is final in sailing or in DIY and I continually find or discover better, different or newer methods to things I though I had a pretty good handle on.

We're not going to get rid of "know it alls" though, as it's mostly why some of them come here.. To puff their chests and assert their "sand box power".

I know a few guys on this forum, who in over 1000+ posts, have NEVER once been wrong, eaten crow, or changed their mind about their original opinion. It must be nice to "know it all", & maybe some day I will, but I highly doubt it or even believe it's possible with sailing....

You're right I'm removing the "Sailing Since 1971" part of my signature as it really has NO meaning or bearing......

[Freesail99]

This thread started out as a public service and may end up as fight club.

[k1vsk]

Freesail
If this did turn into a debate, which I didn't intend and certainly hope it doesn't, I guess that would sufficiently serve to prove my point.

Rhetorical question - why would anyone argue with a suggestion that we stick to providing sound advice or qualify opinion as such?

[sailingdog]

Nice Halekai, I'm going to hijack the first post and add it to my Welcome thread.