Boat Cards: Pompous & Anal or A Good Idea?

[arknoah]

Originally Posted by Faster

Ours are business card sized.. as are most we've seen/been given.

Thanks for this example and the others. I am on the side of those who say you might as well have them as a way of making contact or introduction. I just lost my job (I won't bore you with that story) and printed up a few calling cards with basic contact info so when I attend events or activities, I have some way of giving people contact information. (You know -- the networking thing.) To me, a boat card is much the same: I'd rather give someone I meet at the marina or cruising a boat card than a regular business card.

To each his own...

[Faster]

We don't "press" them on anyone.. if we meet another boat/crew and connect we may ask if they'd like one. I think I made 25 or so up a couple of years back, I'm sure I still have 15 in the stack.. so it's not as if we're walking down the marina dropping cards into cockpits!! Half the time we forget they're there.

btw with all the desktop publishing applications these are easily made at home with the appropriate card stock..

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

I travelled around many Islands with a couple on another boat who had printed up boat cards. It was embarassing to watch how many store owners, other cruisers, taxi drivers, custom officials, passersby and anyone else not quick enough to avoid a card ending up getting these boat cards. I'd be more discerning as well and have to admit that several cards I was encumbered with disappeared once I got back aboard.

As I said, I go through about 12 each year, mostly to service vendors and folks in my home marina. Otherwise, only if asked.

I also collect a few cards in my loose-leaf ship's log; again, mostly vendors and marina mates. I could put them in some app... and then I'd drop the phone in the water (3 so far).

[xort]

Met cruisers who had boat coozies to hand out!

[Cloud 09]

Originally Posted by rockDAWG

Pompous is a strong word, but a boat card is not
No card from me, and please do not shovel your card to me. :P I prefer exchange cell numbers and perhaps snap a pic with my iPhone as needed. The pic has the time and GPS location stamped.

I am with the old school.

Not sure I would call snapping a pic with a cell phone old school but that's just me.

someone shoveling boat cards is one thing but if someone asks me for my contact info handing them a card is way easier than searching for a pen and paper and they are going to be the same size and be readable.

[Navigator Wannabe]

One plus for "pompous", leaning to the "pathetic" side, IMO.

If I HAD to have a surrogate business card for cruising, I would go for just that: a plain business card.

Originally Posted by flyingwelshman

The other day I thought it would be a good idea to print boat cards to hand out when we meet people at anchorages etc.

My wife thought the idea was pompous and, although she denies saying it, I know she thinks it: symptomatic of my anal-retention.

In Bonaire a couple of years ago I dove with a couple from Holland who had a similar card for diving. I thought it was a great idea.

I thought that a card printed with our boat name, our names, our home port and an e-mail address would be a good idea - saves scrambling for pen and paper.

Does anyone else do this?

What info do you include on your card?

[rockDAWG]

Before everyone order their boat card, I think we should get this one first. Great for stress reduction.

[MarkofSeaLife]

Originally Posted by rockDAWG

Before everyone order their boat card, I think we should get this one first. Great for stress reduction.

You dont need the parking one if you need a boat card




By the way, put your photos on the boat card. it makes it easier for folks to remember you. Dont put celoglaze on the flip side.... then you can write on the back