What are the differences between Sailnet and CruisersForum?

[fahnke]

I'd like to hear some feedback on the differences between Sailnet and CruisersForum. There seem to be some differences in the "tone" of the discussions, and possibly the type of people each forum attracts, although I'm sure there is overlap.

Please, share your thoughts on the differences on posters in SailNet and the posters in CruisersForum.

Thank you. Cheers.

[Jeff_H]

(I apologize that this question came up last year and I have cloned my response)
I have been a moderator on both SailNet and Cruising Forums and participated in both. There is a lot in common in terms of the general character of the two forums. Both forums have made diligent efforts to keep the dialogue civil and suitable for family reading. Both have tried to maintain a place where open discussion can take place.

In terms of actual differences, as their name implies, CruisersForum began as primarily a forum for discussions centering around the issues encountered by cruisers. The members tended to be a little more conservative in terms of the types of boats that they owned and their views on marine systems. There also seemed to be a greater depth of knowledge and experience on topics storm weather tactics and the more esoteric aspects of boat equipage for offshore or live-aboard use.

SailNet tends to be a broader spectrum site, appealing to a wider range of sailors with all levels of experience levels and sailing interests. There are few sailing topics which has not been discussed at least once at some point in the history of SailNet.

Like any internet forum, both SailNet and CruisersForum are shaped by their most active denizens. There are a number of folks who are active on both but we also have our own unique membership. There are good people on both, and each bring with them their own unique traits, both in terms of advantages and liabilities.

In terms of moderating both Forums, (at least when I was a moderator there) CruisersForum had a huge number of moderators and so tends to have their finger on the majority of the posts that are made and will more promptly act when something offensive gets posted. Here at Sailnet, we have 5 moderators spread out around the world, we know each other well and even though we can have very different reactions we can communicate very comfortably and respectfully. It is a great bunch of folks to work with. Because there are only 5 of us, and often one or more of us are off cruising or otherwise distracted, we tend to moderate a little more loosely, and are more reliant on member complaints.

I would suggest that the two forums are not interchangeable but I would suggest that the differences are not terribly extreme. When I became the moderator on SailNet, SailNet was getting substantially more posts and hits, but I don't know if that is still true today.

Jeff

[Bene505]

I regularly visit 3 forums, the 2 you mentioned and anything-sailing.com.

I like to post on SN more than on CF, especially if it's a long or technical post. That is because CF has a 30 minute time limit on editing. I sometime catch errors an hour later -- for my "antenna test" post, I caught a big error in how I was calculating part of it and had to fix it. I often revisit for another grammar check the following day. This is not possible on CF. So the more details posts get posted here first.

Regards,
Brad

[Cruisingdad]

I can't believe that no one mentioned that Sailnet has the best looking moderator and renound grilling expert... what is the matter with these members!!???

Brian

[scottyt]

its simple to me, CF seems a little more stuck up. I like the laid back approach that SN has, plus here we have the ugliest mods known to man so i actually feel better about my self. Then compared to the sailboat owner ( SD ) who runs this place i actually go out sailing.

[smackdaddy]

CF is way too uptight as a forum. SN has a nice edge to it (which keeps it fun), but is still family friendly.

I also like SA, but I won't read it when the kids are around. Too much skank - even though the fights are fun.

Then you've got a lot of way smaller and way...ahm...less interesting...sites that only get a few posts a day from the same people. Not my thing.

In all, SN is pretty much the best sailing forum around. It was hit really hard when it went through the "Ad Gate" problems when the whole site essentially went down and killed a lot of great momentum it had built over last year. Thank goodness they got that straightened out.

It'll come back. The place rocks.

[AE28]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

I can't believe that no one mentioned that Sailnet has the best looking moderator and renound grilling expert... what is the matter with these members!!???

Brian

WHO???

[jackdale]

I read

SN
SA
CF
AS

and BCBoatnet (a small forum in British Columbia).

I agree with previous posters distinctions. Sailing Anarchy is more racing oriented. The political forum is even harsher than the one here.

[BubbleheadMd]

Must...not...post...

[smackdaddy]

C'mon dude. Let it out.

I'd say you're one of the best examples of someone that has come a very long way in the face of, perhaps, overly conservative prognostication.

And you're not even dead! And you're almost winning races!

That's damn cool.