“A Little Rebellion, Now And Then, Is A Good Thing” Thomas Jefferson
Tomorrow we celebrate the new year, 2018 and here at WoodyBoater a special day of independence. For it is the day that we remove the ACBS International Banner. Now you may wonder why removing an ad banner is some sort of revolution. Seems rather silly, but it’s far deeper than that for us. For some reason, for years, we here at WoodyBoater wanted to impress the ACBS, like parents. We were proud to be part of the family, and were always careful to respect our fellow Classic Boaters, after all we all want the same thing. We supported the ACBS and they supported us.
Proud winner of the Presidents cup just this year.
But a funny thing happened when they dropped us as a sponsor. I thought at first, OUCH, A Business decision. A Vote. What did we do wrong? But, instead a wave of freedom washed over us here and we felt free again to have fun. It’s a funny thing really, and not really the ACBS’s fault, like parents, I suppose it was more internal, and a desire to please those that have done so much before us.We respect and admire the ACBS.
We can make the culture stronger together but separate
But times have changed, and so have we. We can all get brother and sisterhood now with the click of a button for free. Freedom from rules, formal meetings and bureaucracy. Much like our forefathers felt back in the 1700’s and to be fair, in the 1970’s when the ACBS started. So starting tomorrow we will be introducing a NEW WORLD for all our Classic Boat family. We are scared, nervous and excited all at the same time. But, what is life all about if you can’t take chances, and have fun while doing it. Our community needs diverse ways to enjoy our passion. Some want a formal society, and some want to be a pirate. And that is what will make us a better culture together. VIVE LA Difference, VIVE LA Liberte, And Vive YOU!
Who knew an EZ BLOW horn could be such a powerful weapon?
We won’t all have to get a WoodyBoater tattoo will we?
Hmm, I knew I felt a chill in the air.
And don’t forget the Port Huron show next September where the ACBS and WoodyBoater will come together to creat a great event. “Bring Your Boat Home” and have a great time with the Michigan Chapter!
Go Greg! Your new pirate name is “shameless plug” ha. Yes we will be there!
I am going to spend 2018 helping to build the Antique and Classic Pontoon Society. ACPS will rule the waters, dominating you old dinosaurs with overwhelming numbers, extreme comfort and practicality.
Ohhhhh SHIP!
sounds good to me. John in Va.
Should have done it on bastille day though (July 14).
Looking at today’s header. There has been a WOODYBOATER flag all along. What gives? And where can we purchase one? Also seems like the woman has her own idea of freedom. Some sort of wardrobe malfunction
This rings a bit like a joke to me. The tail never wagged this dog, Matt. To imply that you were ever enjoined from doing what you wanted to by ACBS (or ALMOST any other sponsor) is wrong.
Do you always celebrate when a sponsor drops you due to imperceptible return on investment? I imagine it happens from time to time, but I’ve never seen it noted, mentioned or celebrated before. It might be more worthy of celebration when you sign on a new sponsor? When ad revenues grow year over year, or the site is profitable? All the clicks in the world don’t mean a thing if your revenue growth and profitability don’t reflect them.
Sponsors are revenue after all and they have to be replaced when they leave. Normally this is harder than mollifying existing sponsors. The ACBS to my knowledge never tried to influence or control content on WB – nor would they. How you yourself felt about trying to meet the perceived needs of ACBS or any sponsor may be something else entirely, I don’t know. How many other sponsors have left in the past year? Were you meeting their needs, and how did you feel about those departures? Emancipated, or just a little lighter of wallet?
This whole manufactured “conflict” around the simple act of a sponsor dropping their commitment after many years of zero return on investment is getting tired and comes across with all the sincerity of scripted reality TV. It’s sad that WB has resorted to such cloying, manipulative nonsense to breed some feeling of a WB community (not to be confused with a BRAND, says the cynical one), distinct from the greater hobby itself. If you have to manufacture it through these means rather than grow it organically, maybe it’s illusory, anyway? Just get on with your business, the same way you have done when any other entity gave up sponsorship or advertising.
I like the hobby, the people and the boats just fine, but I don’t like the petty, pointlessly combative and utterly needless polarization that WB seems to be intent on synthesizing. The hypocrisy of this stance is rather clear, as only a few years ago WB took glee in pointing out the luddites in the ACBS and elsewhere who eschewed non-wood boats and fomented the resulting polarization. Now we have it in another guise, and for what? A few clicks to replace revenues lost, I suspect.
Paul don’t hold back. How do you really feel? I for one find all this humorous and find that it occupies all of about 10 minutes of my morning. That said I respect your point of view and also Matt for letting you express it here. Everyone stay warm. 15 degrees on Long Island this morning.
Paul’s observations are always most perceptive, although it is
unfortunate that circumstances require these things to be said.
We all need to support each other in this hobby as it faces many challenges. Best for WB to move on to other topics.
it’s Fake News. the Drama Queen’s last gasp. The ACBS is such an easy target even a drunken sailor could hit it with a paint brush. C’est la vie. Au revoir.
Best header ever! This gives us something to look forward to this year.Happy New Year everybody!
There is no conflict with the ACBS, your defensive big words, make it feel that way. You are being way to defensive.
And yes Paul, its a joke.
New Woody Boater subscriber and a ACBS member, but I have to say that I really look forward to the the daily emails from woody boater. Keep up the good work !
We all like the hobby, people and boats… but, what I don’t like is the condescending mannerisms of some ACBS executives while they try to control everyone from their “family compact” of perceived power. Equality lives on the blog.
I agree with Paul but with fewer words. There is already one guy in this country trying to build a wall, don’t try and build another.
Thanks Tim, as I said in the story, I see this as two seperate groups that together make the culture stronger. There is room for diverse ways to enjoy our passion. I will add that today there have been some more than normal clicks to the ACBS link. So in a way, we are driving traffic and people will join, since its important to help all of the community. No walls needed.
Tim… well said, and no matter what you consider an antique or classic boat or who you like to follow via the web, magazines or newsletters, happy new year to all.
Are there any boat pictures to go along with this subject matter?
I do not care about any of this stuff. I am sure that everybody is right as long as there are pictures of boats and water. Thanks to all and a very Happy New Year.
Great Lyman! What year?
Fun header. What’s that kid trying to take a picture of?
Is he Troy’s great-grandfather or a distant relative….?
Live WoodyBoater or DIE!
i guess the art sensor dosnt work sundays!, nice header!
yes, the header is neat…but I see the significance in the photo from the lakeside inn porch! Lots of subliminal stuff there!
John in Va.
John,
Thats the Sprague House in Crescent City. Used to be a stop on the river trip.
Jim,
Oh well…looks the same…but the point is valid…there is matt standing distant from the acbs brass in the chairs.
Not that all of this amounts to a hill of crap…..! lol.
Happy New Year Dr. Rot! Hope to see you soon, certainly in Tavares.
John Rothert IN VA
Sorry Paul, but I am going to disagree with your comment of “zero return on their years of investment”. Even if the ACBS had their banner up on WB and received absolutley no clicks and thus no revenue, they should have just left it well enough alone, as the perceived support of WB by their mere presence is what is needed. The ACBS did in fact obtain revenue from some of us in the form of seeing their banner, remembering that they even exist, and then renewing their yearly dues. Frankly, the ACBS does nothing for me directly except for putting the Rudder in my post box four times a year. But I still send in my dues every year to support not just them, but the hobby. I go to WB everyday and buy stuff to support. I have been to the ACBS website ONCE, just to see what the hell was going on when Matt talked about them dropping their support. I simply see that the ACBS has decided to not support what I find to be the largest internet wood boat hobby presence, WB, and thus I will seriously re-examine what exactly I get out of blowing $50 for my ACBS membership….since they seem to be focused on investment returns and not supporting us enthusiasts….
Briant, I don’t think you ‘get it’ when it comes to what the ACBS offers both its membership and the hobby in general. Perhaps you should do a little more investigation of what’s available before your summation of ‘no value’ for $50.
I will say, Jeff is right. The 10% discount on Insurance can equel the price of membership, Jeff himeself offers a discount, and there are other benafits. but thats a selfish way to look at it. Its about keeping the fun alive and to have a vibrant community. No one puts together an even like the ACBS, and the real energy, the local chapters and countless volunteers. None of that by the way is a Business, its a passion and group working together to make it possible for us to go boating.
Like most, I really enjoy a slice of Woodyboater along with my morning coffee. Nothing spoils the flavor though, like the taste of politics. Blecchh!
Paul- something for acbs to reflect on; EVERY morning I click on WB: I get >15 minutes of enjoyment, often learn something new, and feel a bit of camaraderie with some like-minded woodyboat peeps. 365 days!! I once clicked onto the acbs site….5 minutes later I left, none the wiser and not the least bit entertained. Yeah, I still send money, but I’m less & less certain why…acbs is still it’s fathers’ oldsmobile….
I’m kinda seeing this whole thing as a personality conflict. For example, every business has the Marketers/Salespeople who make a product or concept fun and exciting, and then there are the accountants/engineers who might not be very exciting, but are the ones who financially and logistically keep the operation afloat and progressing. Neither group understands the other, but both need each other, or the company folds.
Classic Boating needs both WoodyBoater (the fun Marketing People) and the ACBS (level-headed people who keep the hobby going) in order to continue into the future. The last couple months have simply been an episode of the personalities in conflict.
Eventually, equilibrium will resume, and both camps will agree that the goal is to keep our beloved, beautiful Classic Boats floating so that another generation may enjoy them. And under their breath, each might even acknowledge that the “other” group is actually important to the overall health of the hobby.
Good analogy KW. This all kind of reminds me of Dilbert (the cartoon strip by Scott Adams, former AT&T engineer always in conflict with marketing/management). As the hobby shakes out its like newlyweds on their honeymoon standing naked in front of each other when she says, “Who do you expect to please with THAT?” And he says, “Well…myself!?!?”.
Would anyone like a cup of coffee?
I just want Boat Buzz to work for me again, Happy New Year to All my wood boat friends.
Steve and Laurie
Yes, the Boat Buzz is VERY frustrating and has trashed our page as well. Not sure what the issue is.
Yes, the buzz is a mess….
seems the ground (water?) is shifting on us….not sure if good or bad…but HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
by the way. a lot of misunderstanding is just that….and especially from cyber stupid guys like me…for instance: in the above when I replied to Jim Staib….I hit the reply box and thought that would send an IM only….only to Jim….WRONG….I DID go to the boat today, 21 degrees in salon…45 in engine room thanks to heater….
John in Va.
John in Va.
Do not believe ACBS’s decision was only business based. Public access to our hobby is essential for its survival and growth. Many of us are growing older. This means we need new younger members. Persons who use the Internet daily for both goods and to find activities they might want to try. These are people who have never seen a wood boat or heard of Chris Craft, Gar Wood, or Haccker. I play a sport that was once played all over the world. But is now dying as its members age. Efforts to revive and save it by its international organization have failed. Unable to reach a new market, the number of worldwide players has continued to decline as has membership in its organization. I hate to think that ACBS may be heading down this same path. Another dying activity that has missed opportunity to survive
I think the acbs numbers are good btw. No dyeing. Around 6500 members from what I recall and about the same as last year. Not sure what the numbers were in the hey day. The acbs has come a long way in the past 5 years and dan the new exec is a strong addition. I really do feel like some competition is good for the culture though.
Happy New Year to everyone from Lake Tahoe ! God Bless WB & the ACBS.
Come on guys. Let’s don’t create a Republican Democrat debate. Respect the fact that each one of us can follow the route we choose to get to the end destination-more friendships brought on by river cruises and boat show events usually organized by an ACBS member or Chapter. Let’s all keep our sites on the horizon!
Woodyboater is usually the last thing I look at Every Night. I think I’ve been on acbs site maybe twice this year, nothing there and the rudder is for the most part boring. if your an executive in the acbs I think you should at least own an antique or classic boat. how can you promote the hobby if you don’t have one. Woodyboater and Classic Boating magazine do more for the hobby than acbs. Matt, two words, boatercycle-ebay.