Hunter sells alot of boats. Catalina sells alot of boats. Both owners associations have similar web site components. why is there more activity in the Hunter site each hour than in the Catalina site over several months? What is it about the Hunter owners that makes the site so effective, while the Catalina site is a ghost town? It really makes you wonder about Catalina owners experiences either with their boats, their dealers, their manufacturer etc. Does anyone know of someone that switched from Hunter to Catalina?
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It's The Sailors
Hunter sailors get more from their boats, for less money. Therefore, we have more to smile about ! Since we are happier, we want to party more. This over-all attitude just makes us more friendly and helpful. Therefore, we like to commuicate with others like ourselves - Hunter sailors. We don't care what others may think of Hunter boats. Once you have had one you realize the value and unless you win the lotto with $$$ to burn why would you change brands ? The above statements are mostly true, but just having some fun - the marketing of the Catalina site appears not as good as the Hunter site. I also have notice the same response.
Hunter sailors get more from their boats, for less money. Therefore, we have more to smile about ! Since we are happier, we want to party more. This over-all attitude just makes us more friendly and helpful. Therefore, we like to commuicate with others like ourselves - Hunter sailors. We don't care what others may think of Hunter boats. Once you have had one you realize the value and unless you win the lotto with $$$ to burn why would you change brands ? The above statements are mostly true, but just having some fun - the marketing of the Catalina site appears not as good as the Hunter site. I also have notice the same response.
Why here? Some ideas.
Web sites are funny. It's far from obvious what creates that intangible called "community." In the case of this site, I think there are several reasons for its high traffic. (1) This site has been around much longer than the Catalina board. Because this site has more traffic, it is more fun to browse, and hence it gets more traffic. (2) In that time, it has attracted quite a few participants who either no longer own (or in some cases, never owned) a Hunter sailboat. This is hardly surprising. When this site started, there was not a site for Beneteau, Catalina, etc. Much of what is discussed here has broader relevance. (3) Given the traffic it now has, it continues to attract participation from sailors of these other boats. Should LaDonna stop participating here, because there is now a Catalina site? I hope not! (4) This site has received a significant but unintended boost from the Cruising World bulletin board. Because of the Hunter-wars pursued there by a few jerks, some Hunter owners (and others!) may feel a chill there, and would then gravitate here as their primary sailing bulletin board. Whatever the reason, this site has it. Be grateful it does.
Web sites are funny. It's far from obvious what creates that intangible called "community." In the case of this site, I think there are several reasons for its high traffic. (1) This site has been around much longer than the Catalina board. Because this site has more traffic, it is more fun to browse, and hence it gets more traffic. (2) In that time, it has attracted quite a few participants who either no longer own (or in some cases, never owned) a Hunter sailboat. This is hardly surprising. When this site started, there was not a site for Beneteau, Catalina, etc. Much of what is discussed here has broader relevance. (3) Given the traffic it now has, it continues to attract participation from sailors of these other boats. Should LaDonna stop participating here, because there is now a Catalina site? I hope not! (4) This site has received a significant but unintended boost from the Cruising World bulletin board. Because of the Hunter-wars pursued there by a few jerks, some Hunter owners (and others!) may feel a chill there, and would then gravitate here as their primary sailing bulletin board. Whatever the reason, this site has it. Be grateful it does.
Hunter and Catalina sites
As the guy who writes and maintains both sites, I can tell you that the Hunter site is two years older than the Catalina site, and time is everything when it comes to fourm activity. also, there are fairly sophisticated web sites for each major Catalina model, which is not true for Hunter. This brings more traffic to the Hunter site but decreases activity on the CO site. I do not believe it has anything to do with the commitment or experience of the respective owners. Whule there are some small differences between the groups, there are far more similarities. For example, most weeks the Quiz results are with 1-2 percentage points. ph.
As the guy who writes and maintains both sites, I can tell you that the Hunter site is two years older than the Catalina site, and time is everything when it comes to fourm activity. also, there are fairly sophisticated web sites for each major Catalina model, which is not true for Hunter. This brings more traffic to the Hunter site but decreases activity on the CO site. I do not believe it has anything to do with the commitment or experience of the respective owners. Whule there are some small differences between the groups, there are far more similarities. For example, most weeks the Quiz results are with 1-2 percentage points. ph.
Phil's right
My husband and I just purchased a H28 '93 this spring and we love it. However there were a couple of Catalina 30's we loved and looked over very closely as well. We signed up on the Catalina 30 mailing list and hunter mailing list while we were comparing boats and the Cat30 list was insanely active. I would even venture to say it was busier than the entire hunter mailing list, and keep in mind this was for C30's only! Since the Catalina web site is newer, a lot of that mail list traffic probably hasn't transferred there yet from their dedicated list members. Both companies offer a great product for those of us that may only dream of owning a custom yacht and want a good solid boat we can enjoy in reality.
My husband and I just purchased a H28 '93 this spring and we love it. However there were a couple of Catalina 30's we loved and looked over very closely as well. We signed up on the Catalina 30 mailing list and hunter mailing list while we were comparing boats and the Cat30 list was insanely active. I would even venture to say it was busier than the entire hunter mailing list, and keep in mind this was for C30's only! Since the Catalina web site is newer, a lot of that mail list traffic probably hasn't transferred there yet from their dedicated list members. Both companies offer a great product for those of us that may only dream of owning a custom yacht and want a good solid boat we can enjoy in reality.
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