A forum like this is a great place to share experiences, some of which may impart some knowledge, and it's a great place to get opinions that may help you narrow a search. For example, what kind of low-horsepower outboard is a good choice for a dinghy, what sort of anchor is most effective in weedy bottoms, what kind of refrigerators are the most reliable, and so on.
But when it comes to things that will either cost you money (and what doesn't) or, even more important, affect your health, my feeling is that, regardless of what sort of advice and commentary one gets on a forum, go to the professionals. Want to know if Awlgrip should be waxed or not? Call Awlgrip. Want to know if equalizing is the best thing to do for your particular battery and electrical setup? Talk to your local marine electrician or shop or call the battery manufacturer if you can find out who it is.* Want to know if you can use synthetic oil in your almost-40-year-old-diesel? Talk to your local diesel shop or someone in the marine engine manufacturing industry. Want to know what the best prop diameter and pitch is for your boat? Talk to a prop shop.
There is more effort in doing this than in simply reading and following free advice on a forum. You have to make the effort to determine that the professional you are consulting is reputable, has real experience, can be trusted, and has a track record of being right.
This is not to say that the advice someone gives on a forum isn't correct, or is always wrong. There are some very knowledgeable people on most boating forums. But I don't know them personally, I've never had them to work on my boat, and nothing anyone on these forums say is backed up by any sort of warranty. If you act on their advice and whatever it is that you do or buy turns out not work as advertised, or worse, damages your boat or your health, you have no recourse whatsoever. You're solely responsible for fixing whatever problem occurred.
In the case of questions about CO, on-board propane systems, and anything else that can have a direct effect on one's health, I would NEVER act on the advice given by anyone on an internet forum. The advice or opinion may give me reason to seek out more information, and it may prompt me to contact a health professional or a marine systems professional to determine if we, indeed, had a potential problem. And if we did, what they recommended as best way to alleviate the problem. But the nature of the problem and the best solution(s) should come from someone who is professionally experienced in the field, and whose advice, recommendation, and work is backed by some sort of warranty, implied or written.
To the response I have heard from some people--- that boating is so expensive any free advice about things I can do myself will save me money--- I say that if boating is so expensive one cannot afford to maintain a boat--- and ensure their health--- by using professional services when the consequences of NOT using professional services are potentially dangerous or economically ruinous, I say that person perhaps shouldn't be boating. Or should be boating in a more affordable manner.
I've been accused of quoting or paraphrasing in my posts what I hear from other people .* The accusers have implied or said that this is meaningless information since it didn't come directly from my own boating experience.* Leaving aside the fact this attitude pretty much negates the value of school, I do this because when it comes to anything important about our boat or our boating--- and pretty much everything we do to or with the boat is important--- I try to find out as much about it as I can directly from professionals if it has to do with our boat's systems, maintenance, or repair, or directly from very experienced cruisers we know (like Carey) when it comes to things like running and maneuvering a boat.*
This information always proves to be very valuable, so I pass it on where I think it's approrpriate.* BUT..... I certainly don't expect anyone to follow my advice, even if that advice is a direct quote from a mechanic or marine electrician I know.* I expect people on a forum to read my advice (if it even interests them) and then follow through with confirming or disproving it with professionals be it Bob Smith at American Diesel, customer service specialist at Force 10, Peter Smith at Rocna, the owner of your local marine electric shop, etc.
-- Edited by Marin on Monday 14th of February 2011 01:25:27 PM
