Feedback wanted

[SYC Admin]

This site is now coming up to its first six months.  The response has been very gratifying, but we are starting to ask how effective it has been in matching crews to boats - which was the original remit!

If you have had a good - or indeed bad - sailing experience as a result of using this forum, please let us know.

Any suggestions for improvement will also be welcome.

[AndieCamper]

While I have posted on this site when looking for crew, have to say not had any replies to postings.. So while I think the site is a good idea..I found a crew on the noticeboard at the club. I continue to post and update, can I suggest other members are emailed and suggest they update regularly..Lots of items seem well past their sell by dates..

[John Welling]

I have enjoyed this facility - Thanks Barbara & Robin for your efforts.
I think Andie has made a good point about getting members responding in greater numbers by regular e mails from the club - for instance "crew needed urgently" "Lunch menu on Sunday at SYC" or "Quiz night tomorrow" sort of thing. I am sorry that one of my replies was misunderstood but continue to think that we need to find ways of drawing a greater number of members into participation to have a more enjoyable "now" & an assured future for the club. I realise that is beyond your remit but hope these remarks are seen & acted upon!

[djskinner]

I have made a lot of use of the site but the request is for feedback on "boats looking for crew".From my log my stats are as follows.60% contacted me from my advert on the notice board/seaschool.40% are word of mouth ect.Only 10 % came from our Forum.Perhaps this rather disappointing result is due in part to the fact that those using the site on a regular basis are established Members.Its up to us to spread the word.

[robin]

Andy - sell-by-date: point taken.  we will give the site a good 'end-of-season' pruning.  

John, thanks for input, but you are a man who notches up a lot of sea miles: can you estimate, please, whence these crewing opportunities originate?  if you were advising a new member of the club where to find crewing possibiltiies, where would you point him or her?

David: Actual numbers.  Invaluable!  Many thanks.

regards

robin

[John Welling]

I have put a lot of effort into finding myself berths over the last five years by using contact points at Brighton Marina, SYC & Little Ship Club as well as web sites (Crewseekers etc) & have logged 6000 miles. Next year I will complete Yachtmaster Ocean with a qualifying passage from Bermuda to Dartmouth via the Azores. I would be pleased to help others & want SYC to prosper more than anything else - I will be spending my retirement here!

[John Welling]

I realised I hadn't fully answered the question before hitting the submit button! So: You find a chance by offering some skill / qualification, being willing to help with less attractive aspects (such as scrubbing the hull) build trust by being reliable & helping with costs, then pass on berths you can't use to others you have met who you think will be able to fill them. Hence my enthusiasm for building a strong club base.
Another thought: We all fill out a form which enquires about our interests when joining SYC - what happens to that information? Is it used for strategic development or introductions to other members?