A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Bank Yesterday!
First, we are extremely thankful for all the kind words yesterday! To say we are moved is an understatement. Your support and honest insights are priceless. Through out the day, we read the comments, and to be honest, I had to hold back on my end from commenting several times. We wanted to see how it was playing out. One theme kept coming through, and its not what you may think. I have sat in way to many focus groups in my 32 year carrier in marketing, and listening to the words that folks say can sometimes be a red herring. You have to listen to their feelings. And what became clear as day to Texx and I was one thing. INDEPENDENCE! Woody Boater is the ONE place out there that is free from any outside influence. If you do not like what we have to say or do, you can sit there and stew or not click, and comment freely, and anonymously to let the world know how you really feel.
You also screamed that being free and open is critical to the hobby. It’s an open door to this world, and WE LOVE YOU ALL FOR NOTICING THAT, and fighting to keep that alive. Trust me, we will. That is why we started this thing, and the fuel that really keeps Texx and I going. NOT MONEY! In a way, this is our way of giving back, giving to a community full of amazing folks that also give..and give..and give, everyone seems to have there hand out or in our pockets.. So …. asking for more from you is not what we want to do. That’s right. Just the simple fact that we are all in this together is enough. Woody Boater is financially very strong, we have the freedom to do what we please, when we want to, to follow our passion where, were we want to. That is money in the bank.
You might wonder how this thinking all came about. Through out the day, another theme that threaded through out the comments was a need to know what we might do with the money if and when it came in. A chill ran up my spine! To be honest. We have NO idea. We really don’t know, and don’t want to know. Do not get me wrong. I run a successful business helping companies communicate what they are doing. It’s fun to have one here with Woody Boater that I don’t have to think ahead. I know Texx feels the same, we do not have to plan, or listen to anyone. It’s all from the heart, and not the wallet. Each day we walk in and have no idea what we’re are going to talk about. And yet it all works. Having 50,000 donations, changes the dynamic of that. Now Texx and I would be doing it because you are paying us to do it. And its a job. A job that can not afford any of us. All of a sudden, when someone does something for Woody Boater it becomes commerce, not passion or love, money becomes a contract that neither you or us want. We become another club or society. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Or ARRRRRRRGGGGGG! HA.. I have to care if i spell something write, right,rite. To hell with that. I can’t say hell.. I can’t piss anyone off by mistake and not sleep at night. I have to answer to special interest groups, LIKE LAPSTRAKES LOVERS!
So. NO DONATIONS, NO SUBSCRIPTIONS! NO WAY. NOT GONNA HAPPEN! We want to remain free and open to be a place were folks can have fun and wonder into the hobby and not feel that we have our hands out, or want something from them. Woodyboaterville is a free place to visit and not have to think about that crap. We will rely on our freedom to do what we want, and pray that its what you like. Our sponsors that we love, will benefit from your support, and in the end, when you mention Woody Boater to them, they will intern support us all through your business and support. It’s a win win for all of us. Thats your donation, Support our, YOUR sponsors!
OK how about a pool on if Paul H makes it to Table Rock?
Does he have a list of repair shops along the way? My bet is that he makes it, law of averages. Good luck Paul.
Discretion is the better part of valor and I am using my newer truck this time, not the beater. Even have a trailer tire pressure monitoring system installed, so I am hoping it is a long, boring and uneventful 2000 mile drive.
Not sure if Matt or Texx are going to the International, but there are some great pre-events. We are going on a nice 80 mile cruise on Monday, and the big Skiff will be full. I will send in a report or two, if I make it!
That the one that dropped the shaft ?
yes! Thats the magic of Paul.. It can strike anyplace!
Go around Wyoming. Rumor has it there are no Woody Boater fans to come save you there like Missouri.
This artical is not up to the quality staNdards I am paying four. Can I have a refund? 🙂
DOES THIS MEAN THAT WOODY BOATER WILL
COST A ZILLION DOLLARS A MONTH TO SUBSCRIBE
TO??
Well I’m glad you came to the right conclusion. You had all of us busting our tails to get you there! I think this calls for a varnish cocktail. Keep up the good work and keep it fun.
Matt and Texx, I must say you guys are one of a kind (the good kind). I have been involved in this hobby/career for 20 years and been involved in wooden boats my whole life. I have never seen anything that has touched and brought the community of this lifestyle together like what you have created here. I am very grateful for the passion and the time you guys put into it and am proud to call you friends. Thank you for all you guys do.
Could it be that Matt and Texx just didn’t have an idea for the blog yesterday and they just decided to stir the pot a little? 116 comments, what a bunch of addicts we are! Pleeeease don’t cut off the supply Mr. Dealer! If you want to make money then stop publishing WoodyBoater and open WoodyBoater Rehab Centers for those of us that just can’t cope with life without WoodyBoater, please reserve a suite for me though.
HA, you called it. I had no idea what to talk about in the AM. It was from the heart, and open and honest. Sometimes you need to ping folks to find out if indeed you are doing anything of any interest. The fact that folks out there not only understand what we are doing, but share in its growth, is enough to fuel the next 5 years. In the end, it needs to be fun. The hobby as well. Politics and spread sheets are for other activities. LIKE WORK and HELL!
Thank you.
It was very cool to see the support shown to you guys by your WB’ers. It was agreat decision in terms of the hobby, honestly.
It has to be very heartwarming to you all to know that you have such a generous cult following…
Yeah, I drank the kool-aid…
Still would be interesting to learn of the different businesses and/or lines of work that we’re each invovled in…
i can only imagine the diversity of this group…
thank you again!
Dear Matt & Texx, You guys are the best !!! No donations whats with that ? How about a free adult beverage ? Scooter
Matt and Texx.
Just catching up on yesterday’s reading and all that I can say is:
Thank you for both all that you do!
Phil
Way to go guys, again, thanks for all you do
I want my dollar back.
Thank You for your dedication to this great resource. I find the website has become a morning ritual, like a good cup of coffee at sun rise. What ever you do I will ware my New Woodie boater hat with Pride and Talk the website up to who ever will listen.
Thanks Again
Rob Oakley
Help me! I’ve fallen and can’t find the donate button . . . so I ordered a SOV shirt instead. Thanks for picking my color!
Hey nice boat you’r on today Matt.
Wife wants its back!
Is it me or does Matt look a bit younger in the photo? Like at least two years younger? In fact, I want to say that shot look eerily familiar to the photo that was posted back when woodyboater turned 3.
OK, now I am laughing my butt off!
I found the old posting, and note the title verses the URL…
Funny, it looks like nothing but the shirt has changed in the last two years!
You know, I was thinking the same thing
That boat has incorrect zippers
I would still contribute anonimusly so I could still ask for more Lapstrake Love. Thanks for all you do. If there is anything I can do, Don’t ask.
I think you should add a “GOT WOOD?” bumper sticker to the line of swag. Who wouldn’t jump on that? Keep up the good work guys. We are here for you.
No need to have a question, be bold and proud and announce “I got a Woody!”
I had a t shirt design I killed. “I have a 22 foot Woody”
“I start every day with morning wood…y boater!”
I could come up with ideas that won’t work all day long. In fact, that feels like what I do everyday!
Oh crap, should have read this before posting all that drivel to the other days post a day late. That’s what happens when you’re laid up with bruised ribs from doing foolish things like work and mountain biking.
Me too, Floyd — I didn’t really want to see Matt and Texx get into having to spend gobs of wasted time in dealing with donors OR subscribers…whew!
So now I can just join 1,000 other readers who said,
“Thanks for all the wood work you do!”
I’m sure it was something close to that…