Best Trawler Websites

All,
Just wondering, besides this site, what other Trawler sites are the best out there. The Passagemaker site isn't what it used to be.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Taras

Taras said:

All,
Just wondering, besides this site, what other Trawler sites are the best out there. The Passagemaker site isn't what it used to be.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Taras

Click to expand...

Other sites? OTHER SITES? OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!!

Taras said:

All,
Just wondering, besides this site, what other Trawler sites are the best out there. The Passagemaker site isn't what it used to be.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Taras

Click to expand...

The best boating site on the Internet as far as I'm concerned is the Grand Banks Owners site. The independent one, not the GB Beacon site operated by Grand Banks themselves.

While this site is specifically for GB owners, wood and glass, there is a wealth of information and expertise that is equally applicable to any kind of boat, from how to care for teak decks to the most effective brightwork finishes to overhauling windows to how to paint the entire boat to the best care and feeding for engines, and everything in between

The more general boating forums, like this one, are great interactive entertainment-- kind of like watching Family Guy or South Park--- but that's about it in my view. I would and do act on advice from the shipwrights and former yard owners on the GB forum. I would never do so on advice I read on general forums like this one without confirming it first from other sources known by me to be experienced and reliable.

I should say that while I think the independent GB owners forum is the better of the two, GB Beacon has as one of its members one of the two most knowledgable and experienced people on the planet on the subjects of the operation, servicing, maintenance, upgrades, and repair of GBs, wood or glass. This is Mike Negley. The other person is Bob Lowe, one of the founders of the independent GB forum.

Marin said:

I would and do act on advice from the shipwrights and former yard owners on the GB forum. I would never do so on advice I read on general forums like this one without confirming it first from other sources known by me to be experienced and reliable.

Click to expand...

"Everything you read on the Internet is true" - Abe Lincoln.

Always: Caveat Emptor

On all items you see, hear, or purchase... from any person or business or web/net-location (forums inc.)

Pineapple Girl said:

"Everything you read on the Internet is true" - Abe Lincoln.

Click to expand...

Now that right there is funny.

Pineapple Girl said:

"Everything you read on the Internet is true" - Abe Lincoln.

Click to expand...

ROTFLMAO!!

This thread sounds a bit like asking your wife "Which of your girlfriends would be the hottest in bed?" Her reply would probably be, "None of them!"

"The more general boating forums, like this one, are great interactive entertainment-- kind of like watching Family Guy or South Park--- but that's about it in my view. I would and do act on advice from the shipwrights and former yard owners on the GB forum. I would never do so on advice I read on general forums like this one without confirming it first... "

I find it ironic and very telling that the most prolific, and some will argue most ignored, TF poster would be the one who repeatedly belittles, diminishes and demeans the contributions of others on this forum while blathering incessantly as if his is the only opinion that matters. I guess some people just HAVE to step on the backs of others to elevate themselves.

In my opinion, everyone who contributes and all contributions are welcome. I have found this board to be a great source of shared knowledge that has helped me gain a steep learning curve in all things trawlering. I have made good friends from this forum, I have learned new skills and techniques, I have tackled projects I probably would not have attempted without the assistance from others here, I have shared knowledge, spare parts, a helping hand and tools and have received it all back many times over. The tips from others here have saved my bacon and saved me loads of money.

Don't listen to the naysayers who insult the knowledge base and contributions of others here. Sometimes it takes that out-of-the-box thinker to see a problem from a new and enlightening perspective. I'm grateful we have such a diversity of passionate fellow trawlerites. It's what makes our forum a community.

If it's entertainment like Family Guy confused you're looking for, there are much better sources on the internet to fill that base need.

In addition to this site, you might want to join the T&T (Trawlers & Trawlering) list that publishes a daily email and also Cruisers Forum. Even though CF is primarily inhabited by sailboat types, there are many crossover areas of interest with trawlers. I figure the main differences between a trawler and a sailboat is that even though we may both travel at 7kts, the trawler is not dependent on wind direction and can travel in a straight line!!

Chrisjs said:

In addition to this site, you might want to join the T&T (Trawlers & Trawlering) list that publishes a daily email and also Cruisers Forum. Even though CF is primarily inhabited by sailboat types, there are many crossover areas of interest with trawlers. I figure the main differences between a trawler and a sailboat is that even though we may both travel at 7kts, the trawler is not dependent on wind direction and can travel in a straight line!!

Click to expand...

BUT the sailboat can travel with empty diesel tanks!!!

Bob

If you join the T&T list you should be aware that the moderators are pretty heavy handed and not in a professional way, which is why I left there a long time ago. Most of the posts here at TF would get you kicked off T&T. Chuck

Chrisjs said:

In addition to this site, you might want to join the T&T (Trawlers & Trawlering) list that publishes a daily email and also Cruisers Forum. Even though CF is primarily inhabited by sailboat types, there are many crossover areas of interest with trawlers. I figure the main differences between a trawler and a sailboat is that even though we may both travel at 7kts, the trawler is not dependent on wind direction and can travel in a straight line!!

Click to expand...

It's amazing that Cruisers Forum is a "sister site" to TF. The difference is startling, and I'm not talking about the subject matter. I've only been focused over here for a few weeks and am amazed and disappointed at how frequently and quickly conversations devolve into bickering, belittling, and other immature behavior. Not that CF is totally free from such behavior, but it's the exception, not the norm. Perhaps we should invite the T&T moderators over for a little while to shape things up.....

Marin said:

That is another plus for the two GB sites. There is none of this on either site and both of them are totally un-moderated.

Click to expand...

The GB site does indeed have a lot of good info on it. But I find it lacks "critical mass", i.e. there just isn't a large enough audience and broad enough subject coverage to motivate me to go over there very often. CF has huge traffic and there is always something interesting to read and participate in, even for someone like me who doesn't sail anymore. Plus the "center of gravity" on the GB site is more around older boats than mine, so many of the topics discussed just aren't applicable to my boat, at least not yet. And the few time I have asked questions about my boat there has been very little response, I think because my boat is as foreign to them as theirs are to me.

But I do appreciate the depth of knowledge, helpfulness, and civilized attitude. I just wish there were more and broader traffic.

FlyWright said:

ROTFLMAO!!

This thread sounds a bit like asking your wife "Which of your girlfriends would be the hottest in bed?"

Click to expand...

When I was young and stupid I did, also mentioned twins and something to do with a single... 6 weeks later I could see a little light from my left eye.

Do you mean like how many of the posts to this thread actually answers the OP's question?

FlyWright said:

ROTFLMAO!!

This thread sounds a bit like asking your wife "Which of your girlfriends would be the hottest in bed?" Her reply would probably be, "None of them!".

Click to expand...

I would have to ask, "how do you know??"

BobH said:

BUT the sailboat can travel with empty diesel tanks!!!

Bob

Click to expand...

Bob, a true statement but in fact they NEVER do. Just my observation.
On trip from Abaco to New Orleans with a couple weeks in the Bahamas, finally saw a sail boat sailing----in Lake Pontchartrain at New Orleans.
YMMV\
CCC

twistedtree said:

It's amazing that Cruisers Forum is a "sister site" to TF. The difference is startling, and I'm not talking about the subject matter. I've only been focused over here for a few weeks and am amazed and disappointed at how frequently and quickly conversations devolve into bickering, belittling, and other immature behavior. Not that CF is totally free from such behavior, but it's the exception, not the norm. Perhaps we should invite the T&T moderators over for a little while to shape things up.....

Click to expand...

Most of what makes this site sometimes tedious stems from a couple of folks whose absence would significantly improve the atmospherics, as well as participation from posters who would just as soon keep their mouths shut rather than get lambasted by know it alls with personality disorders.. Like you, I don't see much of that at CF.

Capn Chuck said:

If you join the T&T list you should be aware that the moderators are pretty heavy handed and not in a professional way, which is why I left there a long time ago. Most of the posts here at TF would get you kicked off T&T. Chuck

Click to expand...

Which serves to make the material on the T & T list a lot more focussed on information rather than personality. I'm not sure it is as true as it once was but the listservs tend to attract members with low bandwidth connections. People in that situation really appreciate moderators who keep the crap of the list. I do too.

Delfin said:

Most of what makes this site sometimes tedious stems from a couple of folks whose absence would significantly improve the atmospherics, as well as participation from posters who would just as soon keep their mouths shut rather than get lambasted by know it alls with personality disorders.. Like you, I don't see much of that at CF.

Click to expand...

The thread started by Galaxy Girl and the replies about her ability to buy and handle a yacht of the size she desired wasn't CF's best day...

charles said:

Bob, a true statement but in fact they NEVER do. Just my observation.
On trip from Abaco to New Orleans with a couple weeks in the Bahamas, finally saw a sail boat sailing----in Lake Pontchartrain at New Orleans.
YMMV\
CCC

Click to expand...

Marin said:

The more general boating forums, like this one, are great interactive entertainment-- kind of like watching Family Guy or South Park--- but that's about it in my view. I would and do act on advice from the shipwrights and former yard owners on the GB forum. I would never do so on advice I read on general forums like this one without confirming it first from other sources known by me to be experienced and reliable.
.

Click to expand...

This forum has some very bright and marine industry experienced people. But in agreement with Marin, I have to remind myself what we told our girls as they were grouwing up, "Don't take candy from stangers."

markpierce said:

Click to expand...

..and sometimes they'll even fly the sails to fake sailing and stand-on status. Hey, I just realized...you can do that with the Coot!!!

FlyWright said:

..and sometimes they'll even fly the sails to fake sailing and stand-on status. Hey, I just realized...you can do that with the Coot!!!

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, most times I'm motoring directly into the wind or running downwind without an apparent wind.

An exception:

Thanks, FlyWright, for taking the above photo.

Stop....you're making me blush!

Besides, it's the beautiful centerfold model who gets all the attention, not the photographer.

Case in point....who took this picture...and who cares?

Wow.

markpierce said:

Click to expand...

I think if this shot had been taken 10 minutes earlier, you'd be looking at a sail. Looks like the crew has just doused the main.

charles said:

Bob, a true statement but in fact they NEVER do. Just my observation.
On trip from Abaco to New Orleans with a couple weeks in the Bahamas, finally saw a sail boat sailing----in Lake Pontchartrain at New Orleans.
YMMV\
CCC

Click to expand...

Depends on where you are. On nice days I've seen hundreds of sails up on the Chesapeake, Narragansett, Charleston Harbor, Frisco Bay, the Virgins, etc. Less so, I think, for cruising sailors, alas. We even get a fair number of boats out in Chattanooga.

This topic is a classic example of why many members wander away. The OP asks a legitimate question and is answered with cartoons, a mutilated face photo, Marylin Monroe, and picture of sailboats. WTFO? Sometimes it would be nice to be treated with some respect and adding to the knowledge pool benefits all of us.