CBGT announcements on Facebook

J

Jakelindhout

New member
Hello C Brats.
I was contemplating the idea of listing the dates of the various CBGT's on Triton's Facebook page but I wanted to get your opinion/permission first.
My thought was that the CBGT's are a great way for non C dory owners to see boats up close and how you folks have customized your boats to your own tastes. Also, it would show the C dory "lifestyle" that is such a selling point with these boats. However, I want to make sure that such a posting doesn't result in strangers crashing the party and crawling all over your boats. I would word the message in such a way as to invite them to a CBGT for a quick hello, quick look at the boats, and an opportunity to talk to any willing owners. Think about it and let me know if this sounds like a worthwhile idea or if you would prefer the gatherings to be a more private, invite only affair. Thanks for your input and as always for your continued support of Triton.

Jake Lindhout
 
Jake,
A couple of my first thoughts are that anyone going to Triton's facebook page probably has an interest in boats and if they are interested enough in C-Dorys to take the time and trouble to go to a gathering they are probably genuinely interested in knowing more about C-Dory's, their activities and their crews. Secondly, it is always the boat owner that makes the decision as to who comes aboard and what type of tour if any they decide to give. (With the obvious exception of the Coast Guard and other various law enforcement agencies, bless their hearts!) So, I'll start off with those ideas.

Rich
 
Jake,

I think it's a great idea. I enjoy talking to people about C-Dorys. I remember talking to a local sleep specialist in Victoria a few years back. Harvey soon purchased Sleepy-C:wink:
 
I have no problem talking to folks about boats or even giving a tour of mine as long as they understand its a favor and not job. It would not help anyone if a buyer showed up and not one was able to talk to them because we were all running out to shrimp or making a ice cream run to east bay. I would not want to show up at an event just to watch the boats float away. As long as buyers understand in advance that we are not sales rep's.
 
I think it would be good - again as long as potential buyers understand we're not sales reps. I think they'd figure that out soon enough as we're all pretty straight shooters about what we like and don't like about these boats. The best thing to do would be to post the gatherings with a statement something like "The C-Brats are a group of private boat owners with a passion for their boats. If you're interested in attending one of their gatherings, please visit the C-Brat site (www.c-brats.com) and register with the group. Registration is free and the site owner doesn't sell your information or spam you with email. It's just a place to talk about and learn about C-Dory boats. Non-owners are generally welcome to attend the gatherings but it's best to make a post on the C-Brats site to introduce yourself and ask about the gathering(s) that interest(s) you. "
 
I think it's a great idea!
In 2006 when our boat was new our first gathering we attended there were a lot of "boatless people looking at the new flat deck 22's. Four of those "boatless" people are now C-dory owners.
 
Jakelindhout":3isn19t7 said:
...strangers crashing the party...
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Very valid concern. Consider if the announcement for the Friday Harbor CBGT mentioned the huge potluck, prizes, and beer that have become ubiquitous with our gatherings. That could attract people that aren't primarily interested in C-Dorys, but rather freeloading.

With that said, I think careful wording of the announcement, as Roger suggests, is a wonderful idea. I'm sure it has the possibility to attract a person or three. I always check the rendezvous announcements in the local maritime rags for boats I'd like to check out.
 
I see Facebook as a great way to keep track of your family and friends, what going on in their lives. Some how when I look at businesses trying to tap in to it I scratch my head and wonder why. I don't think 500 million people join Facebook to be solicited. If I was going to search for C-Dory I would use Google to search the whole Internet and not limit myself to just Facebook. That being said a well maintained website that is kept up to date is likely to get more information into someones hands about you product then a few comments up on Facebook. I say give us more information and more pictures and owner stories up on your website and link to the gatherings on the C-Brats site that way the information is better organized and not spread all over the place. I liked your wall over on Facebook and it has come up on my wall maybe twice. I just don't think people searching for a C-Dory are going to Facebook to search for it.
 
I am leary of the idea. I like this forum a lot and would hate to see it get marginalized by any info on Facebook. That medium has a way of becoming invasive.

In some ways it could reach out to those that are looking to "join our ranks" but it has the possibility of highjacking our forum as well.

Even now, I struggle with the idea of reposting some of my activities on both venues, and many times opt to stay with C-Brats. I have to say, I have a lot of loyalty to C-Brats, the folks have been more than awesome in person and online. Facebook could dilute that.

I would approach this cautiously and post only that info that is pertinent to gatherings and info that a new owner might need to come and view our boats and lifestyle.
 
Dreamer":2svg6a2j said:
Jake,

I think it's a great idea. I enjoy talking to people about C-Dorys. I remember talking to a local sleep specialist in Victoria a few years back. Harvey soon purchased Sleepy-C:wink:
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Thanks Roger, YOurs was the first TomCat I had ever seen, and I could tell the family resemblance but as yet had not been up close and personal with any of the other C-Dorys. Since then, we have met and given rides to several folks who went on to purchase their own C-dory boats. (Dan and Tanya, and Bill McK just of the top of my head), plus a long list of possibles yet.

I'm not a Facebooker, but I know there are some 500M folks who are. It seems like a good idea to have some presence there, but I agree with those who have some reservation about posting the CBGT's and included activities. I think a link from Face book to the C-Brat site is a good plan, but leave it at that, and allow those with interest there to pursue the link and search out the CBGT specifics on the C-Brat site. Just don't see any point in handfeeding the near-do-wells.

I agree that that the primary source for C-Dory info is the C-Brat site, and the primary source for purchasing info should be the Triton Manf site with links to EVERY dealer site too. I also think that some sort of acknowledgement by the manufacture for any purchase made from a C-Brat contact would be welcomed also.

Jake, thanks for asking, considering our opinions, and for your involvement in keeping C-Dorys afloat :smile :thup :thup

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

IMG_2044_sized_1.thumb.jpg
 
Good Morning, Folks. I will preface my comments by saying that I am not yet a C-Dory owner and I have never made an opportunity to go to a CBGT. (my choice not others') However, I have been regularly and religiously a watcher of this site and the C-Brats for coming up on 8 years now.

My thoughts on having the CBGT's on Facebook sides w/ those who oppose posting them. Here is why.

As I have seen it from the outside, CBGT's are opportunities for those w/ interests in C-Dory and with similarly built boats to meet face to face and swap stories, tech tips and to build friendships. They focus on the specific people and their boats.

While most owners are open about sharing their experiences and are proud of their boats (as they should be) the primary goal of the CBGT is not to sell boats or to entertain would be owners. It appears to me to be a collateral outcome which most gladly embrace.

I share the concern about the crashers. The point about free food and drink would appear to me to be valid. The crashers given enough of them could steer the dynamic of the group sufficiently to dump the fun factor. How many people ever went to or heaven forbid hosted a party at your parents house as a teen only to have 100+ people show up along w/ the local jaundarms? This would be an extreme point for a CBGT. I hope you get the connection.

One of the problems w/ Facebook is that because everyone who is linked, the messages and comments infiltrate many places where the original poster did not intend to have them seen. Many well intentioned people do not understand this. News of your CBGT's could go places you never intended.

Being from a public safety background, I can think of all kinds of bad scenarios that could come from this. Casing your boat and family for a caper to perpetrated later. People actually use this media to plan crimes.

Though I have played out a heavy view of things here, my interest is to protect the group. W/out trying to turn this political, as w/ many things this would seem to be a conundrum between embracing the outside world and encouraging the growth of the World of C-Dory vs. protecting the lifestyle and the culture that is the World of C-Dory. If this is the choice, my vote would be to leave it as it is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. People who are truly interested in the boats and being your friends will find you.

Ultimately, I am not sure what the correct answer is. Since I am really nothing more than a voyeur into the World of C-Dory currently, it is not mine to truly answer. I just want to make sure that all sides of this are considered before a decision is made.

Have a great C-Dory day and go out and do something fun w/ your boats today.
 
While most owners are open about sharing their experiences and are proud of their boats (as they should be) the primary goal of the CBGT is not to sell boats or to entertain would be owners.
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I agree with Sam that the CBGT is really about owners/friends getting together rather than being a marketing experience. I also think that there are some among us who wish to see Triton Marine do well and wouldn't mind helping out.

Perhaps Triton Marine, through C-Brats, could coordinate a meetup specifically designed to show off the boats. I don't live in the area - YET - but if I did I wouldn't mind putting in an afternoon with other C-Brats at a Triton Marine event eating a sponsored hamburger. I think it might work better for Brats and Triton if the event were specifically for the purpose of marketing. We'd all expect to answer lots of questions and have the uninitiated aboard to look around.

Perhaps Triton could put together a thank-you event for those C-Brats who helped out; maybe an instructional workshop or something.

Just my one and a half cents...
 
I think some of the concerns are perhaps a bit overblown. The C_Brat site has been linked off the factory site forever and all of the events are listed on the C-Brat site. I can view all of the events and most of the discussion surrounding the events without logging into or being a member of the C-Brats. The fact that the events are usually held at a marina and sometimes a little away from the "mainland" or a major metropolitan area to some extent limits attendees to those with enough interest in the boats to drive the required distance to get there. I don't think we've had a problem with "party crashers" in any of the events I've been to and I think it's unlikely we will in the future.

As to security issues with posts on this site - we've discussed that some before and I think each poster has to use his own best discretion in that regard.

As regards Facebook specifically - one doesn't really get "solicited" by advertisers with Facebook pages (with the exception of the normal ads that appear on that site and others). Rather one opts in to posts from a vendor by "liking" their page and one can opt out at anytime. Regardless, if others are uncomfortable with Triton posting C_Brat gatherings on it's FB page, then I don't think they should be posted there. However, I will say that it's simply an extra click to get to posted gatherings from there - e.g. the C-Brat site is linked on their FB page so I think that this is much ado about nothing.
 
I just don't think people searching for a C-Dory are going to Facebook to search for it.
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I agree but that is changing - Facebook will (or at least wants) to be the next Google. I think we'll see social media being used in much different ways (major search engine, etc) - soon.

Just my thoughts..have a nice evening...
 
Thanks everyone for your input regarding this topic. As always we value your opinion and appreciate the feedback. I think some very valid points were brought up concerning the CBGTs being posted on Facebook. At this time I am going to leave CBGTs out of any Facebook posts. As was stated in this thread, any person seriously interesteed in C Dorys is only a click away from the C Brats web site from both the Triton web site and the Triton Facebook page. The C Brat web site is constantly filled with posts from non C Dory owners looking for info., advice, etc. regarding a possible purchase. I think the C Brat site is easy enough to find without Facebook. I know you guys would welcome any inquiries from potential buyers and I think we'll leave it at that. Thanks again for your input and support.

Jake Lindhout
 
Jake (Jeff and Scott),

If you have someone who is interested in a sea trial on a Tomcat - feel free to direct them to me via the C-Brat site. It might take a few weeks to work out a convenient time, but I'd be willing to help out (at least for awhile). If sales really take off in the future, I might reconsider this offer, but for now I'm happy to help out.

Roger
 
Same thing here Jeff on the Right Coast. I'd be glad to show the boat to someone if they would like to see or ride on one. We're on the lower end of the bay where the Potomac meets it.

Charlie
 
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