What happened to this website?

[aggiestckl]

So I started coming to this website around 2008 and became a member in 2011 and at the time I thought it was great. Always a bunch of cool posts of people doing things and events, and what I enjoyed the most a bunch of cool used parts for sale as well as boats.

I've come on this site at least once a day every single day maybe several times a day since 2011.

As of lately it seems this site is slowing down, or the membership isnt here with the typical guys who used to post a bunch and make it fun to read.. I can rattle off a million usernames but it just seems like its dormant almost like the checkmate board or some specific car forums Ive been a member of where you can come on and its just alot of the same.

So is it just me seeing this? Is it facebook taking away from the substance of S&F? Is it the costs of new motors and death of two strokes?

Seems all you read on here anymore is about someones old frankenmotor overheating etc.

Where are the build threads, wheres the how to posts, and more importantly where are the articles about boat of the month with the write ups, or something more interesting than what makes it to the cover.. Thinking of the old hot boat magazines we used to get

I dont know - sure I will get flamed for this but I honestly would like to see the site return to what it once was

[Hot Shot Merc]

Stupid book took over the planet Everyone has become stupid book/cell phone zombies. Call me old fashioned if you want but this site is as far as my social media needs go I've never joined SB and never will. From what iv'e been told most people post most of their boating experiences,pics,builds,conversation etc on SB. Hell more often than not people post a link here to their pics on SB. WTF?

It also seems groups of boaters come and go from this site. I joined in 2003 and have seen several different groups of people come and go. Its like a cycle. Definitely not like the early 2000's. I still love the site though. Love the new stuff going on in outboards and new boat construction techniques etc. Of course there's always going to be the trolls and know it all's but that's everywhere not just here and in hot boating. Another thing was the economy starting around 2007-2008. A lot of people lost a lot and boats were the first thing to go in tuff times. That lasted a few long years and slowed things down here.

Still want to say thanks Greg for keeping it going

[Capt.Insane-o]

Facebook, the downfall of civilization.

[Ospreyproduction]

I'm back....lol.

[nitro_rat]

I really don’t get the draw of Facebook for what we do here. Information isn’t archived in a meaningful way. Something you saw a few days ago is lost under piles of useless drivel! I have Facebook, but I use it primarily to keep in touch with relatives. I don’t post stuff regularly.

This is where I come for my social media needs!!!

[oldschoolltv]

Mike I agree there was a 4 stroke Yamaha at river ranch on a euro that I would love to know more about and see more pictures of it.

[Richie C]

I cannot believe that there are those of you who have the nerve to criticize Zuckerberg's alternate reality, censored and politicly correct face book. Hopefully Sniffy Joe will deal with all of you soon!

GET YOUR WEEKLY JOE JAB TRAITERS! SAVE THE PLANET, COMBIA !!!!!!!!!

Would anyone like to buy a bridge?

[engineermike]

I dunno much, but the market has definitely moved in the direction of 4-strokes but you got a crowd that generally dislikes them. I think that discourages the guys with 4-strokes from posting much or even joining up. Plus the same group used to be the ones who were modifying and pioneering....which generated excitement to move forward and promotes others to try stuff, but they aren't doing it with the 4-strokes. The result is only a handful in the world are modifying new engines and pushing the performance envelope. I know I look to oso, BBC, and tht when looking for info on my 400r. I sincerely appreciate the guidance I've received from the site, but the 400r doesn't get much air time here.

So here we are with the most powerful merc ob ever built with a heavy duty purpose-built sportmaster, the whole package being extremely user-friendly, reliable, and fuel efficient. We have 350+ hp outboards from 4 different manufacturers (when has that ever happened??). You got a light weight 250 Yamaha 4-stroke with a factory LWP lower unit, and a swarm of rumors around a light-weight, powerful 4-stroke that sounds like a corvette....and yet the performance crowd still doesn't like them. Much like cars, this could be THE best time for boating performance in history based on the hardware available, but only if we embrace it.

The 2.5 is an awesome engine but every different combination has been done and it's a dying platform. I don't think there's much new to try or learn with it, and the site will eventually die if it doesn't move on to the newer stuff.

Just my opinion speaking as an infrequent poster for the reasons above. Sorry if this offends anyone.

Edit: I do agree about FB though.

[Hot Shot Merc]

I dunno much, but the market has definitely moved in the direction of 4-strokes but you got a crowd that generally dislikes them. I think that discourages the guys with 4-strokes from posting much or even joining up. Plus the same group used to be the ones who were modifying and pioneering....which generated excitement to move forward and promotes others to try stuff, but they aren't doing it with the 4-strokes. The result is only a handful in the world are modifying new engines and pushing the performance envelope. I know I look to oso, BBC, and tht when looking for info on my 400r. I sincerely appreciate the guidance I've received from the site, but the 400r doesn't get much air time here.

So here we are with the most powerful merc ob ever built with a heavy duty purpose-built sportmaster, the whole package being extremely user-friendly, reliable, and fuel efficient. We have 350+ hp outboards from 4 different manufacturers (when has that ever happened??). You got a light weight 250 Yamaha 4-stroke with a factory LWP lower unit, and a swarm of rumors around a light-weight, powerful 4-stroke that sounds like a corvette....and yet the performance crowd still doesn't like them. Much like cars, this could be THE best time for boating performance in history based on the hardware available, but only if we embrace it.

The 2.5 is an awesome engine but every different combination has been done and it's a dying platform. I don't think there's much new to try or learn with it, and the site will eventually die if it doesn't move on to the newer stuff.

Just my opinion speaking as an infrequent poster for the reasons above. Sorry if this offends anyone.

Edit: I do agree about FB though.

Thanks. Liked your post however the 400R weighs way too much and cost way to much for the average guy with a 16-20" hull like most guys around here have. Its not talked about much because not very many people have them nor would they because its not suited for small outboard performance hulls. Im sure OSO will have much more discussions on the larger outboards..... I am anxious to see what guys start doing to the new 4 stroke 200 and 225. Another thing is a lot of guys cant afford a new motor and never will so the love of the old school 2 strokes is still big.

[engineermike]

Thanks. Liked your post however the 400R weighs way too much and cost way to much for the average guy with a 16-20" hull like most guys around here have. Its not talked about much because not very many people have them nor would they because its not suited for small outboard performance hulls. Im sure OSO will have much more discussions on the larger outboards..... I am anxious to see what guys start doing to the new 4 stroke 200 and 225. Another thing is a lot of guys cant afford a new motor and never will so the love of the old school 2 strokes is still big.

The 400r weighs about 200 lb less than a pair of 2.5 200's and will be faster as well. But no, I wouldn't recommend one on a hydrostream or Allison. But what's coming later this week? We will find out soon enough.

Anyway, yes the 400r is expensive. Or is it? In 1991, the 260 msrp was over $16k. That equates to over $35k in 2018 dollars. The 400r starts at $31k (neglecting that fact you can buy them for $26k), so for 10% less inflation adjusted dollars, you get 50% more power, worlds better reliability, fuel economy, features, and user friendliness. Don't get me wrong...I thought people were crazy spending $16k on an engine back in 1991.

[nitro_rat]

I dunno much, but the market has definitely moved in the direction of 4-strokes but you got a crowd that generally dislikes them. I think that discourages the guys with 4-strokes from posting much or even joining up.

I spoke to Greg and the 4th forum heading here is now “Four Strokes and Direct Injected Outboards.” An olive branch if you will to the high performance 4 stroke boaters! I’m not sure that the “crowd” here generally dislikes them!

[KIRCHNER]

Think most SNF MEMBERS are serious performance boaters and economy and noise are low on our list. new 4 strokes are different animal and just crazy expensive. it will take a while but us hot boaters will eventually fade to make room for the new wave of eco friendly motors with a non removable cowl. remember the muscle car era that came to an end too much pollution , lead etc. were the river cowboys! too much is just right, trim up.

[Markus]

The 2.5 is an awesome engine but every different combination has been done and it's a dying platform. I don't think there's much new to try or learn with it, and the site will eventually die if it doesn't move on to the newer stuff.

Yep. Mercury is about to launch what seems to be the most exciting engine line-up in our lifetime. But every thread about it seems to be taken down.

That is Scream and Fly's problem in a nutshell...

[JPEROG]

Yep. Mercury is about to launch what seems to be the most exciting engine line-up in our lifetime. But every thread about it seems to be taken down.

That is Scream and Fly's problem in a nutshell...

The post should all start fresh after tomorrow. There were too many people at Lake X to keep all of the information that was divulged under tight wrap. Mercury monitors this site "that alone should tell you that its a good information source and targeted customer audience".

As for the small boat performance world, I hope to see some younger people get into the hobby that we all enjoy-take a kid for a ride and expose them. Its something that they will never forget.

Joe

[Markus]

Mercury monitors this site "that alone should tell you that its a good information source and targeted customer audience".

Even if it is in the interest of Mercury Marine to censor discussions about upcoming products, it is neither in the interest of this site, nor of its users.

What has happened is extremely unfortunate.