Hi all,
This is a belated introduction in response to a prod from Bil Hansen. I bought my BCC last June and have spent much of that time figuring out this wonderful little boat. She is my full time home so little is the operative word here. The space restraints are a challenge. Of the three BCCs in Australia that I know of, two fo them are in Moreton Bay, although not in the same Marina now as I am based in Manly. I am blessed to have such a knowledgeable and generous mentor as Bil just up the bay.
This forum has been a valuable source of information to me for the last year. One reasons I haven’t posted was the apparent senescence (and the spam) but I can no longer avoid the irony of that position so I will make an effort to post regularly to see if that can help to generate some more activity.
You might like to send a Private Message to John Cole and ask if he could modify the database, replacing you and Takayna for Jerry Murphy and Destarte’.
Welcome to the group. The BCC is such a lovely vessel, a true work of art. On those days you are lamenting the size of your boat, feel free to check out the Falmouth cutter 22. I was able to do a side by side comparison of the two and I felt as though I could start a civilization with all the extra space in the BCC.
I am a little concerned by your statement “One reasons I haven’t posted was the apparent senescence (and the spam)”
Regarding “senescence”: It is true that the forum has existed since October 2002, but it does require regular maintenance and updates, delivered by my staff and myself. Digging around the various pages, you will find a goldmine of information. Your best friend is the “Search” feature when logged in to a specific forum. Smartly used, it can deliver all messages on “pintails”, “gudgeons”, and possibly, how to create an effective “Wedgie”!
If, however, you meant senescence of the webmaster, you would then be correct!
Regarding spam: This is an ever present and worsening issue; analysis of the spam that actually arrives on the site indicates it originates in China, but is posted by bot systems in the U.S.A. Unfortunately, the typical method is to overwhelm the site with an attack. We Endeavour to get on top of an attack as soon as possible, but some have been so widespread that it has taken days to remove all the spam messages.
We have considered installing Captcha as a method of preventing bot postings, but have resisted it, because, if you are on a boat with a pitching cabin sole, the last thing you need is to have to decipher some almost illegible figures and letters, and post them into a form. However; the boat owners who make donations own this website, and if it is their wish, we will introduce Captcha.
Whatever, enjoy your BCC, probably the most seaworthy boat I have experienced.
As one who has made financial contributions to the support of this site in the past, I would favour the installation of Captcha to, hopefully, eliminate the spam. It bothers me that a great resource has been compromised. I do, however, understand John’s concern with Captcha.
Hopefully others will weigh in with their thoughts.
I agree that Captcha would be worth it if it eliminates or even just reduces the spam. I suspect that most forum use does not take place underway, and BCCs are sea-kindly, underway or at anchor, aren’t they! This topic deserves a thread of its own. I’ve missed it as the unread notification seems to be missing.
I’ve supported the form in the past and am ready to contribute again.
Dan, Shaula, #59
Thank you for your reply. I guess my use of the word senescence related to the site activity. I scoured this site and spent hours reading many of the historical post and gleaned oodles of essential info and that information has helped me no end in my first year of BCC ownership. I do note that the level of traffic (apart from the spam) has dropped off in recent years and its that i referred to by senescence. No offence intended and I have no doubt you yourself are anything but.
I’ve just gone through the Captcha and it was painless, lets hope it knocks off the spammers.
I have gained so much from the forum I am more than happy to contribute to its up keep. This is something Bil has mentioned to me in the past and if anyone who knows how to do such a thing wants to set it up, I’ll add my contribution