A suggestion: Classifieds / /exchange

[mdhunt]

How about a classifieds BBd / Forum....? All of us have things we want and things we don't use / need to pass along to a fellow sailor. Also, almost ALL of us sailors look at others' boats and have an eye open for that "next boat", whether we're browsning or seriously shopping....

The web sites and magazines that I seem to read the most all have classifieds (EX: 48 North, Lat. 38, TrailerSailor.com, etc,), and I always browse the classifieds. I use them too!

Just a thought. I know it would likely increase readership and website useage.

David Hunt, davidjameshunt@hotmail.com

[rusty]

Thanks for the idea! I had an auction site set up here for a while, but we did not really have the traffic to make it worthwhile.

I have some code to modify when I have some time. Now that we are getting more traffic on the site, I should put some effort into getting it done.

What do you think about auction software and/or the classifed section?

I can actually do both.

Rusty

[mdhunt]

There are quite a few auction sites out there, and I don't know that there is enough interest locally or regionally to make it worth the effort. It would seem to me that a simple "Exchange" or "Classifieds" site would require less administration, moderation, and would be of more utility to the local folks...

I don't know alor about software, but, again, it seems a simple BBd would be easier to start and facilitate. Have you seen the Classifieds for the trailer sailor website? It is at:

http://www.trailersailor.com/forums/classifieds/

That might be a good one to reproduce... I know it gets TONS of useage (including mine!). If you're looking to increase usership and attract sponsorship and advertising (like the West Marine Banner), a good Classifieds might be just the ticket, but it would be a most welcomed service either way!

Thanks for the reply and for the good work on this websited!!

David

[rusty]

Altough the auctions would be boating related only, I agree at this point it is more than is needed.

Give me a little time and I will see what I can whip up. In the meantime, do you think a forum dedicated to "for sale" stuff would work?

Rusty

[mdhunt]

Definitely. In fact I would be the first to utilize it! (I must sell my T. Gilmer 33 Dutter rig). I also have one or two dingies that I'm not using, a couple of sails that I know SOMEone would love to put in use, and tons of miscelaneous from the last 25 years of sailing....

Let me know if you start a "For Sale" forum. Do you think there would be enough use to justify three: 1. For Sale/Wanted (Sail) 2. For Sal/Wanted (Power) and 3. For Sale/Wanted Misc. ? ?

For many years, there were a lot of folks who utilized the simple usenet newsgroups rec.boat.marketplace, but usenet went the way of the dinosaur....

Thanks Rusty, and good to visit with you.
David.

[rusty]

I'll set up the forum later today. I'll start with one forum. If we get enough interest to split it into categories, that's easy to do.

Rusty

[rusty]

Done.

For Sale forum (http://www.nwboating.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=71)