A couple years ago in an attempt to grow the C34IA I started monitoring Yachtworld.com for C34 sales pending notifications. When a notification popped up I would send the broker an email with an invitation for the new owners to visit the website and join the assoc.
New Owners:
Did you get the invitation?
If yes, did you know about the website/assoc before recieving it?
Did you join the C34IA or just become website members?
If you didn't join the Assoc, what can we change to increase membership?
Just curious if I should continue sending the invitations and we are always looking for ways to increase membership.
FYI, so far in 2010, there have been 54 used C34's listed as sales pending, I have no visibility of how many actually closed the deal. I only send the invitation to buyers of used boats because new buyers automatically get the first year of membership paid by the dealer.
Ken I think it is a great idea to reach out ot potential members this way.
We closed the deal on our C34 in early October. The boat was listed on Yachtworld.com, but we purchased from Catalina in Ventura as the boat had been a trade-in.
No, we didn't get an invitation from Catalina. Yes, we were aware of the website/association, and searched the forum as part of the due-diligence process before buying.
So far, just a website/forum member. Considering becoming a full member. The major reason we haven't (and I'm sure the other members will relate) is that purchasing a boat is expensive and we've been trying to prioritize the must-haves from a safety and operational point of view. Since the boat is fairly new (2005 with <150 hrs) and we're deferring a lot of enhancements, becoming a member is on the "B" list.
Great idea Ken, to look for ways to keep the membership vibrant. :clap
I am a new owner as of September (Pau Hana #791).
I did not receive an invitation because I had purchased my boat from a private seller. I can tell you however, that without the invaluable information in this forum, I would not have had the confidence of knowledge about the C34 to "go it alone". 8)
I had known about the association and website for a couple years prior to my purchase but honestly felt that joining the association without owning the boat seemed awkward.
However, I joined the association immediately after the purchase of Pau Hana. :clap
I think its a great idea to continue the invitations.
The one thing I wish is that there were an active Fleet here in the San Diego area. There seems to be a lot of C34's in the area and it would be nice to meet other owner/association members in person and discuss issues, solutions and ideas.... plus get some good sailing in :santa
Darth O Cam,
You are right, buying a boat is expensive and can put a crimp on the budget. But, joining this group is really cheap for the hundreds of bucks you will save in one year. I am not kidding. If it were not for this site I would have been paying many bucks to professionals to do what I have done myself. Put membership here on your 'A' list. Welcome to the 34 club!
Mark Mueller
Like DarthO and Pau Hana, I am a recent buyer (July). I bought from an individual owner so I got no invitation, but I think the invitations are a great idea. Keep up the good work, Ken.
Whether you join now or later, this group is a great way to get up to speed. I did join, and really was stoked to get my Mainsheet magazine. I've only done three projects so far, a muffler replacement, lazy jacks, and (currently) an anchor system upgrade. I also know that I need to do an engine wireing harness upgrade (critical upgrades). In all of these cases I have gotten a lot of help from both archived records and from on-line discussions. When I look at it that way, the membership fee ($25) was money well spent. But hey, you spend it when it seems right to you - no problem! So, welcome aboard to my fellow newcomers. Lisa and I are totally in love with our new boat, and I hope you are too!!
My broker did forward me the e-mail that you sent him. I had already been visiting the website for several months prior and was already planning to join the association.
One boat's opinion, but any owner not joining the association is simply throwing their money away in unnecessary costs. We kept track of our costs for the first 3 years of ownership and the data from the association, saved us just short of $5,000. Knowing where to go for a part rather than an entire assembly, pointers that allow maintenance that would have required an "expert", contact numbers for some real answers, etc., etc....makes for some big savings. If you are not already a member, suggest you join.
Darth,
My records show no 2005 boats sold in Sep/Oct. They must not have listed it as sale pending, so no invitation was sent. Glad you found us on your own.
I'm convinced the C34IA membership is a great deal, so it's not a matter of if, but of when. I suspect that I'll come across an issue or opportunity soon that will push it into the "A" list. Or it may end up as a Christmas present :santa.
I don't know how Catalina handled the sale. It was pretty informal and fast, so they may never have bothered to list it as "pending" on the site.
Thanks,
Michael
Here's how the system worked for new boats:
When new Catalina 34s were produced, Catalina would send us (the C34IA Secretary) a check for the first year membership assigned to a particular hull #. Catalina Yachts would then also eventually send us the paperwork that the new owners filled out at the dealership with their name and address, once the boat was sold. These forms were sent by the dealer back to Catalina, and then on to us. We would then send the new owners the first year membership package. The dealer did not really have involvement, per se, in the magazine distribution, the C34IA did it with the prompting from Catalina Yachts.
Ken's idea to involve the dealers in sales of used boats is a very good one. We tried it here in the San Francisco Bay area directly with Farralone Yachts, and essentially got little or no response. They were too busy selling new boats, and while they had many used C34s over the years, simply couldn't be bothered with additional work that got them no benefit. I could understand it from their point of view as businessmen.
:thumb:
Ken,
We bought our boat in August '09 and the broker (in Oriental, NC) told me about the association. I believe he said he'd been contacted by the association and asked to pass on the invitation. I joined the association a few days later. It's been beyond invaluable. I continue to be intimidated by the knowlege and experience on the boards, but also impressed that so many seasoned captains spend so much of their time to educate the rest of us. That's makes C34 a great community.
Carl
Comments from any other new owners?
Ken,
While not a new owner, I can honestly say that I'd have been lost without the C-34IA. Everyone helped guide me through my early days as a new owner. Anything we can do to attract new members is worth the effort. Why haven't we done Facebook yet?
Quote from: Lance Jones on December 10, 2010, 02:01:25 PM
Why haven't we done Facebook yet?
Lance, please consider this a personal response, rather than a formal one from the C34IA Officers.
Facebook would, could, might, should, maybe will cause a breakdown of this very website.
The potential dilution of the material from this single repository of dialog and information to yet another form of electronic communication, in my view, would have the potential for reducing this site's importance.
As it is, this is THE place to go for any and all C34 information, as folks have just mentioned in this topic.
We have been extremely fortunate enough to have a band of skippers who have volunteered their time and effort for over the past 20 years into making this one of the best, if not the best website for a single boat probably in the history of that "innernet tube thingy."
Please consider the unforeseen consequences of suggesting that yet another method of communications between C34 owners be used.
Thanks for listening.
Stu
Another opinion in support of Stu. Yes, finding info on this site can be "maddening" at times, even with the fantastic job, done for free, it getting it updated and cataloged. However, there is an advantage in having a little search-difficulty at times, in that often searching for one bit of data, one comes across something new and extremely useful. We have benefited more often that not when searching for one thing, only to discover 5 new things. As for using Facebook, given the level of growing concern about the unauthorized release of customer information from that site, I for one would not like to see it used on this site.
Hummmm. Sorry I touched a nerve. However, one of my marketing hats I wear at Gill is social media. Granted, if FB were used as an information repository, your comments would be valid. However, we use it at Gill to drive people TO our website. We don't have any data stored ON Facebook or Twitter -- they have to go to our website to get it.
While we have less than 500 fans (Number is growing daily), it is THE biggest referrer TO our website -- over 1,000 a month. Facebook surpassed Google this year as THE LARGEST search engine out there.
If you're looking for ways to generate membership to C34IA, you will be missing the boat by NOT doing a simple FB page. Catalina Yachts has a FB page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Catalina-Yachts-News/111093365624393?ref=ts&v=info#!/pages/Catalina-Yachts-News/111093365624393) and a couple of the different associations have a page too.
I'm not suggesting Facebook replace our website. What I am suggesting is that the 34IA use it to DRIVE people TO our wonderful website.
Just some thoughts....
Lance, it's not a nerve, it's just an opinion. And your premise is reasonable if that's what it does. What I've seen, however, is that once a "second source" occurs, discussion starts to happen there, rather than here. If you do a Google, Yahoo or Ask searches for Catalina 34, it takes you right here. What's the advantage of Facebook, when anyone who's searching for Catalina 34 info gets right here anyway?
Linking through FB, too, gets you from the CY FB page to yours, which includes political statements that really have no place on this forum. We've been free of that since we started this Forum almost 10 years ago, and it should stay that way.
Stu, understand what you're saying. But, seeing as we're trying to attract MORE members, wouldn't it be nice to use ALL available bait to catch a fish? Use a bigger net? The reason you don't get anyone from FB is that we're NOT on FB.
Just trying to help. But, I wouldn't take my car to someone who was still using the same tools they used 20 years ago. Times and technology change.
All I'll say on the subject. Obviously the point is moot to everyone but me.
Lance : I agree with Stu.
BTW, I believe it's not the size of the net that counts - it's the quality of the bate!! :thumb:
Quote from: Lance Jones on December 11, 2010, 11:03:45 AM
Stu, understand what you're saying. But, seeing as we're trying to attract MORE members, wouldn't it be nice to use ALL available bait to catch a fish? Use a bigger net? The reason you don't get anyone from FB is that we're NOT on FB.
Just trying to help. But, I wouldn't take my car to someone who was still using the same tools they used 20 years ago. Times and technology change.
Lance,
Hey, you're right, but we have a 24 year old boat!!! :D :D :D I
NEED those old tools! 8) Really...
No reason to stop the conversation. In fact, since you quite properly feel strongly about it, and you certainly do have a good point, and could well be right 'cuz I'm just an old geezer who just got a new laptop (my first in 15 years!) now that iPhones are making my new-to-me technology instantly obsolete (!), you might want to just go for it, and set a FB page up for the C34IA. Doesn't need an Officer to do that.
Given this discussion, I suggest that you include on the FB the points you have well put:
--- This is a link to the C34IA Forum/Message board/website
--- All daily discussions relating to the C34s can be found at: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/board,11.0.html (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/board,11.0.html)
--- Please post all of your contributions on the C34IA Forum/Message Board, and not here on FB
--- We welcome you as registrants to our Message Board http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4782.0.html (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4782.0.html) and invite you to the wealth of information about your boat that is available on the C34IA website
--- We invite you to become a C34IA Member and support and contribute to the C34IA website and Message Board
Thanks, Lance.
Stu
I understand the concerns but I agree with Lance. Facebook would be nice way to drive people here and I think the one thing that would be nice that does not happen here would be to have an easier forum to allow people to post their weekend sailing adventures and pictures. More of the day to day stuff that never makes it here. I think it could be a nice supplement to this site. It would not be the site to post or find technical information and the administrator and FB group members could easily self-police that and funnel folks here. More than once I have seen references and referrals on this site (and vice versa) to other forums so i don't think it would do any harm. I think Stu's list of what to include is a good one.
Lance if you are so inclined to try it I would be glad to help.
Joe
Quote from: Joe Kern on December 12, 2010, 01:17:01 PM
...and I think the one thing that would be nice that does not happen here would be to have an easier forum to allow people to post their weekend sailing adventures and pictures. More of the day to day stuff that never makes it here. I think it could be a nice supplement to this site. It would not be the site to post or find technical information and the administrator and FB group members could easily self-police that and funnel folks here.
Joe, as you know there are other areas for posts on the General Activities page, http://c34.org/bbs/index.php#2 (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php#2)
One of them is boat swap and another is suppliers and vendors. Neither has much activity, and I believe it's primarily because this is the place to be for daily activity.
I see no reason why cruise stuff can't show up here. I just hate to use sites where you have to click to more than one heading to get daily activity.
That said, if folks want to leave this one technical, then I suppose it would be possible to add "Cruising Stories" under General Activities. If the registrants would like that, we can make it happen.
I believe that we need a posting on Face Book, that the best place for C34 owners to "tweet" is on the C34 Message Board. :santa
I can remember a while back when there were two separate groups gnashing their teeth over whether to switch from an E-mail based discussions format to the newfangled alternative, a BB that became this site.
Anything new is worth trying, who knows maybe we'll like it?
Quote from: Stu Jackson on December 10, 2010, 04:51:44 PM
Quote from: Lance Jones on December 10, 2010, 02:01:25 PM
Why haven't we done Facebook yet?
Lance, please consider this a personal response, rather than a formal one from the C34IA Officers.
Facebook would, could, might, should, maybe will cause a breakdown of this very website.
The potential dilution of the material from this single repository of dialog and information to yet another form of electronic communication, in my view, would have the potential for reducing this site's importance.
As it is, this is THE place to go for any and all C34 information, as folks have just mentioned in this topic.
We have been extremely fortunate enough to have a band of skippers who have volunteered their time and effort for over the past 20 years into making this one of the best, if not the best website for a single boat probably in the history of that "innernet tube thingy."
Please consider the unforeseen consequences of suggesting that yet another method of communications between C34 owners be used.
Thanks for listening.
Stu
I think this forum as it stands is not really as friendly to the quickie post as we might think. It is certainly not as picture posting friendly. I will leave it to others to decide whether that is what you want it to be that too. If so then adding the Cruising/Daysailing category might be a good one to generate more of that.
Regardless, good business says if we want to drive a broader demographic to learn more about us and our great boats we should be on Facebook
Caio : I don't think it's the resistance about trying the "new fangled thing"; it's a fact that a C34 owner can go to a single site and get everything in the Catalina 34 knowledge base.
Right now the knowledge that was/continues in the Mainsheet Tech articles is on the Message Board/ C34web site. Most importantly the answers to peoples questions are already in the C34 website !!
I know people don't like to hear that, but its true.
If it's hard enough to find/search the answer on our site, I don't believe that people are going to go to Face Book or Twitter and get a decent answer.
Guys when we tell people that 99.5% of all relevant questions have been answered and that really we are only here to talk about technical boat fix it stuff, we are not engaging in a conversation. We're not inviting new members to participate. In fact we discourage it and tell them check the tech notes. We are just teaching them how to use a database. That's not a community.
I had a great weekend last weekend. Breaking through a quarter inch of ice to get to the ocean, sailed for hours with white side dolphins. Came back the next day into a full gale. Really learned to appreciate my diesel heater. All in C34. But we don't talk about that kind of stuff here. It clutters the database. If people want to do facebook and form a community with a conversation, it will thrive if there is demand for it. And if everybody just wants to talk about their exhaust nipples and thru hulls, they'll still come here for that.
Something new might be a threat. But it's also an opportunity. We should all be interested in the maximum enjoyment of our boats, not just optimal maintenance.
If you look in the menu at the top of the page you will see a link for the Cruising Wiki. The wiki is not a message board, however if you can log onto this site, then you can use the same username and password and post to the wiki. It is also totally open, if you don't see a topic area you are interested in, start one.
My personal preference is to keep this forum more technically oriented, however a post pointing folks to non technical stuff (like Waterdog's blog) is certainly acceptable.
My 2 cents.
If you would like for me to set up a very simple C-34 Facebook page, I'd be happy to do so over the next couple of weeks. No, it doesn't take long to do it, I just need to find the time to set it up. The holidays are when I have a lot of free time. Should have it up shortly though. Just say the word.
Lance I vote yes. If it does not work or creates problems we can take it down. Be glad to help/provide comments. Feel free to friend me if you want and I I'll take a look at it. There is an existing Catalina Sailboat group and I think one called Catalina Sailing as well we can reach out to.
Joe Kern
Here is the first stab at it. Look it over and make suggestions.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Catalina-34-International-Association/137984386255993?v=wall#!/pages/Catalina-34-International-Association/137984386255993?v=wall
Looks good, I just became a fan. :clap :clap :clap
Just started so it's going to get better from everyone's comments. Does anyone have a high rez C-34 logo? Also, if you're on FB, please ask your FB friends who are C-34 owners/fans to like us... :santa
Quote from: Lance Jones on December 13, 2010, 09:21:56 AM
Just started so it's going to get better from everyone's comments.
Lance, you may want to include the four or so points I made in my earlier post Reply #21 on the FB "Discussion" tab to avoid having that section of FB begin to replace this Main Message Board.
I also suggested wording and links back here that don't seem to appear on FB.
Nice job Lance.
Stu,
Luff your sails man. I said earlier that this won't happen overnight. I still have to work my day job. Everything I've put up there has been straight from the website. However, as I have time, I'll build it out to what I had stated earlier with everyone's suggestions too..