I am a new Beneteau owner having upgraded from a Catalina 250. The Catalina 25/250 owners site have an unbelievable web site. People from all over the world communicate with each other on every thing imaginable regarding their boats. Admittedly, Beneteau has lots of different models so issues unique to one owner may not transcend all owners. Having said that, there are lots of things all Beneteau owners have in common with each other. I would strongly urge all of you to really use this web site. As a Catalina owner of many years, I can't begin to emphasize how our web site was unbelievably useful to all the Catalina owners. Many of us became friends through the net and shared lots of experiences with each other. You couldn't have a problem without a hundred people responding to you with ideas and suggestions. You couldn't buy equipment for your boat without hundreds of owners telling you what they had done and problems or successes they had enjoyed. As a new Beneteau owner, I hope to encourage all of you to really use this site. Rick Evans Beneteau 321 Oceanis "Supial" Kemah/San Antonio
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I agree this site is too quiet
As a fellow bene owner, I too have wondered why this site is so quiet while the Hunter forum is hoppin .. are beneteau owners shy? there is another beneteau site http://www.beneteau-owners.com/ but it's pretty queit too... hello .. anyone out there ?
As a fellow bene owner, I too have wondered why this site is so quiet while the Hunter forum is hoppin .. are beneteau owners shy? there is another beneteau site http://www.beneteau-owners.com/ but it's pretty queit too... hello .. anyone out there ?
beneteau-list@sailnet.net
While I check this site out everyday, I also belong to sailnet's beneteau list. It seems pretty active to me. I've been able to get answers quickly from here and the e-mail list.
While I check this site out everyday, I also belong to sailnet's beneteau list. It seems pretty active to me. I've been able to get answers quickly from here and the e-mail list.
SILENCE
There are active Hunter regional sailing clubs and Catalina has similar called Fleets. These clubs foster active exchange of technical information and Catalina has a very professional magazine called "MainSheet" with input from members on various topics related to boat size. I have not seen Beneteau as a company take an active roll in the exhange of techinal data amoung just plain sailors.
There are active Hunter regional sailing clubs and Catalina has similar called Fleets. These clubs foster active exchange of technical information and Catalina has a very professional magazine called "MainSheet" with input from members on various topics related to boat size. I have not seen Beneteau as a company take an active roll in the exhange of techinal data amoung just plain sailors.
Keep talking. It will catch on
When I first got a Catalina many moons ago, the web site was all but non existent. However, with the persistence of members, it grew exponentially with the passing of each year. If we hang in there and keep checking the site, it will expand. Where it really helps is when somebody has a problem or needs to know where to find some obscure piece of after market equipment. Other owners can save you a lot of time and money in reinventing the wheel.
When I first got a Catalina many moons ago, the web site was all but non existent. However, with the persistence of members, it grew exponentially with the passing of each year. If we hang in there and keep checking the site, it will expand. Where it really helps is when somebody has a problem or needs to know where to find some obscure piece of after market equipment. Other owners can save you a lot of time and money in reinventing the wheel.
Funny.....I thought
the same thing - where are all the Beneteau owners? I'll be looking to move up someday (soon, I hope)and I like the 361. But the seeming lack of interaction here compared to the Hunter site has me a little concerned.
the same thing - where are all the Beneteau owners? I'll be looking to move up someday (soon, I hope)and I like the 361. But the seeming lack of interaction here compared to the Hunter site has me a little concerned.
Active, but not here! Also 361 stuff...
With all due respect to this site, I was gone over the weekend and came home to 55 e-mails covering a wide range of B topics in my inbox from the previously mentioned e-mail list. Just becuase B owners aren't active here doesn't mean they're not active. Also, the fact that there were 100+ boats at the B Rendezvous in St. Michaels, MD during a questionable weather weekend should speak volumes as well. But more importantly: Gregg, let us know when you're ready to talk 361s. I have noticed that, for whatever reason, the 361 contingent seems to be most active here. And of course, when you're ready to buy one at least one of us who wants to move up to a 423 or 473 will want to talk to you about our 361s!
With all due respect to this site, I was gone over the weekend and came home to 55 e-mails covering a wide range of B topics in my inbox from the previously mentioned e-mail list. Just becuase B owners aren't active here doesn't mean they're not active. Also, the fact that there were 100+ boats at the B Rendezvous in St. Michaels, MD during a questionable weather weekend should speak volumes as well. But more importantly: Gregg, let us know when you're ready to talk 361s. I have noticed that, for whatever reason, the 361 contingent seems to be most active here. And of course, when you're ready to buy one at least one of us who wants to move up to a 423 or 473 will want to talk to you about our 361s!
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Tim -
Nice photo, and thanks for the info. I will check the e-mail list for anything I can find on the 361 and the 331, which also interests me.
Nice photo, and thanks for the info. I will check the e-mail list for anything I can find on the 361 and the 331, which also interests me.
I too agree that there is very little exchange between B owners on this site. Yet as Tim notes, B owners are very active in Rendezvous. We have one planned for July 11-13 at Toronto Island whern 30 plus Bs will attend. I have a 361 which I am making ready for a cruise from lake Ontario to the Bahamas. Though I have searched this site for info I have found little. Are there other B sites? A friend has a B 411 and he seems to have access to a unique 411 site?.
Hard to figure -
This site has been around for several years now and we're not quite sure why it is so quiet. One thing we notice when growing forums: posting creates more posting. before you know it, critical mass is reached and it takes off. One thing we've never had on this site is a moderator who is a Beneteau owner. someone to keep an eye on things and keep the discussions moving. If anyone would like to volunteer to take this forum under wing, we can compensate you with some very nice discounts on gear.
Sailboat expert not required, just someone who knows how forums work is like to read / write in them. Contact me at phil@beneteauowners.net
This site has been around for several years now and we're not quite sure why it is so quiet. One thing we notice when growing forums: posting creates more posting. before you know it, critical mass is reached and it takes off. One thing we've never had on this site is a moderator who is a Beneteau owner. someone to keep an eye on things and keep the discussions moving. If anyone would like to volunteer to take this forum under wing, we can compensate you with some very nice discounts on gear.
Sailboat expert not required, just someone who knows how forums work is like to read / write in them. Contact me at phil@beneteauowners.netMore active site
Hi Rick, Glad you got your boat and everything is good. I've been posting questions for sometime, with little response. Maybe we can get more activity on the site, would be very helpful....Jerry
Hi Rick, Glad you got your boat and everything is good. I've been posting questions for sometime, with little response. Maybe we can get more activity on the site, would be very helpful....Jerry
I prefer this format to the e-mail list
Sorry sailnet, but I like this forum format much better than the email list. I signed up for the email list and had to immediately unsubscribe, too many emails flooding my in-basket at work. With this format I can peruse at my discretion when I get a few moments at work or off work, and not be bombarded with emails.
Sorry sailnet, but I like this forum format much better than the email list. I signed up for the email list and had to immediately unsubscribe, too many emails flooding my in-basket at work. With this format I can peruse at my discretion when I get a few moments at work or off work, and not be bombarded with emails.
Phil
I have just started following and posting on this list while still checking the Hunterowners forums as I have just bought a Beneteau and am in the process of selling my Hunter. I have a couple of theories why this forum is not as active as the Hunter or Catalina sites. At least in my local area there are still far more Hunter and Catalina sailboats than Beneteaus although I seem to see more and more Beneteaus in the area. I know a few people in the area including a good friend of mine who own newer Beneteaus. Of the people I have met I get the impression that more of the Hunter and Catalina owners are willing to tackle some of their own repairs while the Beneteau owners I know tend to simply take the boat to a local yard to have repairs made. I realize that I am only observing a very small part of the market but that is the impression I have gotten in my local area. I hope to see this forum pick up some more posts as I intend to start doing now that I am heavily into the makeover of my First 235. Dan LaFon Clear Lake, TX
I have just started following and posting on this list while still checking the Hunterowners forums as I have just bought a Beneteau and am in the process of selling my Hunter. I have a couple of theories why this forum is not as active as the Hunter or Catalina sites. At least in my local area there are still far more Hunter and Catalina sailboats than Beneteaus although I seem to see more and more Beneteaus in the area. I know a few people in the area including a good friend of mine who own newer Beneteaus. Of the people I have met I get the impression that more of the Hunter and Catalina owners are willing to tackle some of their own repairs while the Beneteau owners I know tend to simply take the boat to a local yard to have repairs made. I realize that I am only observing a very small part of the market but that is the impression I have gotten in my local area. I hope to see this forum pick up some more posts as I intend to start doing now that I am heavily into the makeover of my First 235. Dan LaFon Clear Lake, TX
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