What ever happened to the good ole days on here ???

[rock]

The politics are what they are. My first boat cost $650 and I used it for two years before I spent anymore money. Next boat was a bit bigger and faster and of course more money but still very doable. Third boat was the second boat plus $900 and it was a Viking with a 200 and that boat was king of the river around here for years until I got into the fast stuff. Money got bigger as the boats got faster. Now if you want to get into boating that original $650 will buy some of the necessities such as life vests etc. Now if a young guy wants to get into high performance boating you better have pile of cash and with the cost of just surviving these times very few new boaters are appearing. The hobby has gotten too expensive. I would be willing to bet the average age of Scream and Fly members has risen dramatically. Many of us are too old to be trying to eek out the last mph. Reflexes not what they used to be. I know one of the local hot rods that has an STV with Jay Smith modified 260 and an Allison sitting in his garage just collecting dust cuz kids have athletic endeavors and priorities have changed. Local boat ramp used to be slammed all day Saturday and Sunday now you can put your boat in any time you would like and have the whole river to yourself. I fear the sport is slowly dying. Looking at the state of the world everyone is a bit on edge. Looking at our current political situation it's no wonder. Like many here I do miss the old days when this site was a bit more fun and educational but with fewer new guys and the state of the union it's just not as carefree a world as it used to be. Still the best site on the internet with the greatest members. Without this site I for one would have way fewer friends and would never have progressed to the level of performance I did. Tremendous amount of knowledge here and wide array of personalities makes this still a great place to go albeit a bit different than it used to be.

Rock

[transomstand]

Then blaming everyone still active for ruining their fun and to not even try for a few months by posting fun stuff first is pathetic. Judging others is not the way to make for a good time.

For a few months???? I did for YEARS.

[transomstand]

The politics are what they are. My first boat cost $650 and I used it for two years before I spent anymore money. Next boat was a bit bigger and faster and of course more money but still very doable. Third boat was the second boat plus $900 and it was a Viking with a 200 and that boat was king of the river around here for years until I got into the fast stuff. Money got bigger as the boats got faster. Now if you want to get into boating that original $650 will buy some of the necessities such as life vests etc. Now if a young guy wants to get into high performance boating you better have pile of cash and with the cost of just surviving these times very few new boaters are appearing. The hobby has gotten too expensive. I would be willing to bet the average age of Scream and Fly members has risen dramatically. Many of us are too old to be trying to eek out the last mph. Reflexes not what they used to be. I know one of the local hot rods that has an STV with Jay Smith modified 260 and an Allison sitting in his garage just collecting dust cuz kids have athletic endeavors and priorities have changed. Local boat ramp used to be slammed all day Saturday and Sunday now you can put your boat in any time you would like and have the whole river to yourself. I fear the sport is slowly dying. Looking at the state of the world everyone is a bit on edge. Looking at our current political situation it's no wonder. Like many here I do miss the old days when this site was a bit more fun and educational but with fewer new guys and the state of the union it's just not as carefree a world as it used to be. Still the best site on the internet with the greatest members. Without this site I for one would have way fewer friends and would never have progressed to the level of performance I did. Tremendous amount of knowledge here and wide array of personalities makes this still a great place to go albeit a bit different than it used to be.

Rock

I've been saying the same for a very long time, but I can't deny the large attendance and increased interest in my New York event. I had more requests for shirts this year than I've had in quite some time, and if our Canadian friends had been allowed across the border it would have been a record amount.

Now we're approaching Rich's Connecticut event and seeing a great deal of interest in that as well, so I'm not so sure about it dying rather than just changing. Yea, I miss the guys who no longer attend. For a variety of reasons they can no longer participate, but there seems to be a pretty good supply of new goofballs to fill the space

[transomstand]

And speaking of my New York event....

The Raindack Romp was FOUNDED 21 years ago on THIS site. The formal announcement in January takes place here, and ONLY here because this is where it's roots are.

That tradition was nearly brought to an end this year because of an arrogant, inflammatory, political asshole who stuck his nose into that thread that he had no business posting on. He has not participated in the event in years, and his presence IMMEDIATLY turned the thread into a BAD direction because of his reputation (or lack of it). Fortunately the other members agreed to my request to ignore him, and he went away, avoiding the necessity of deleting the thread.

This is a perfect example of how the site as changed, and why many are becoming less enthusiastic about what they see here.

[rock]

Pete you have had an incredible event since it's inception and is one of the few still going which in part explains why it is still growing. I tip my hat to you cuz I know what it takes. My event went 6 years and due to the deterioration of the Illinois River at my site plus some personal issues it finally died. There are fewer things as much fun as these get togethers. Many like minded people congregating to play is hard to beat. I applaud your effort along with the others such as Tom Foley and Rich and others that continue putting on these events especially with not only it taking a bunch of time organizing but the concern over liability which unfortunately is always looming. One of these days I hope to attend but most likely it will be in a fishing boat which makes a great tow and rescue boat. From one heathen to another, have a great day of safe fun on the water.

Rock

[XstreamVking]

I recently started a thread on building an old larson boat with my son. Ended up being a very cool boat. Got very little interest. Decided not to continue it. So, sometimes even when you try it's not what people want to see.

[mrichartz]

I recently started a thread on building an old larson boat with my son. Ended up being a very cool boat. Got very little interest. Decided not to continue it. So, sometimes even when you try it's not what people want to see.

Oh man dont stop i subbed that forgot to hit like etc when started..went and did it just showing there are people watching.

[transomstand]

Pete you have had an incredible event since it's inception and is one of the few still going which in part explains why it is still growing. I tip my hat to you cuz I know what it takes. My event went 6 years and due to the deterioration of the Illinois River at my site plus some personal issues it finally died. There are fewer things as much fun as these get togethers. Many like minded people congregating to play is hard to beat. I applaud your effort along with the others such as Tom Foley and Rich and others that continue putting on these events especially with not only it taking a bunch of time organizing but the concern over liability which unfortunately is always looming. One of these days I hope to attend but most likely it will be in a fishing boat which makes a great tow and rescue boat. From one heathen to another, have a great day of safe fun on the water.

Rock

We can always use a hot dog and burger hauler for the picnic and a platform for the photo shoot

We've overcome a lotta stuff to keep it going, and the challenges are growing each year, hopefully I can keep doing it

[CDave]

I believe it has to do with we are getting older and with that prioritizes change. Outboards have been getting bigger/heavier, everything is getting more expensive and the younger generation doesn't seem to care about fast small boats. I believe one of the reasons for the lack of interest goes back to no new lightweight outboards.

Kids spending more time on computers instead of outside. That creates more things boats have to compete with for the attention of the young generation.

I spent a couple of thousand dollars about 10 years ago helping my brother restore his pontoon. I did it thinking his teenage kids would jump at the opportunity to take it out on the weekends. I even installed a 500 watt stereo in it. Him and his wife took their kids out now and then. His three kids took it out ZERO TIMES.
I remember taking out my dads little 12' aluminum boat every chance I got when I was their age. They were more interested in playing video games and the internet.

Look at how hot rodding took a big hit in the 70's until the late 80's when American manufacturers started making fast affordable muscle cars again.

[David - WI]

The "good old days" here were massive "flame-wars" over stupid crap like what oil was best... it was so bad for awhile that a lot of people left and either never came back or only came back years later.

[transomstand]

The "good old days" here were massive "flame-wars" over stupid crap like what oil was best... it was so bad for awhile that a lot of people left and either came back or only came back years later.

Oil, "dock boy", the 3 liter on a Valero, the infamous "Flipper" threads were all hilarious.

What REALLY drives people off is guys with TONS of knowledge getting told by inexperienced "experts" that they don't know what they're talking about.

[moatorbotin]

I loved this site back in the day, went through divorce, lost my boat, lost my log in, came back a few years ago with this screen name, check in from time to time, just picked up a new boat that's been a little project and am happy to have this site as a resource again.

Actually just came here to the lounge to see what is the best way to share pictures on here now.....facebook also kills sites like this because it is just so easy to share a picture in comparison, but these forums are so much better to search for information.

[mrichartz]

Yea Amazing how someone is a guru because he read some threads on another site and giving advice or telling some how wrong they are.
One of my favorites from someone was that they were told by the know it all the motor was shot because compression was 85 on all cylinders... Think we all know what motor it is... Told him id be happy to buy it, if he wanted to argue that it was shot and didnt want to rebuild it. same guy said he built 10+ motors (omc johson Evinrude merc all of them. Kept asking where but wouldn't answer). lol. a year so again told him if its shot ill buy it..and rebuild it.. way to many stories like that.
Yea to those that are gurus and take that sh*t with a grain of salt and keep posting...
Whats worse are the blind leading the blind..

Hell just recently one that claimed to be a great boat restorer and glass man and rigger on youtube...was here trying to get the info, then posting on yt but when people that know what their doing called him out, some idiots here called them haters..lol... all of them not on here for more than a couple years blind leading the blind.
Thankfully the main idiot was banned already..
Dont think he lasted a few months.

[mrichartz]

I loved this site back in the day, went through divorce, lost my boat, lost my log in, came back a few years ago with this screen name, check in from time to time, just picked up a new boat that's been a little project and am happy to have this site as a resource again.

Actually just came here to the lounge to see what is the best way to share pictures on here now.....facebook also kills sites like this because it is just so easy to share a picture in comparison, but these forums are so much better to search for information.

What are the pics of/about would depend too but
Post a thread in the photos and video section... Starting an album too..

[transomstand]

I loved this site back in the day, went through divorce, lost my boat, lost my log in, came back a few years ago with this screen name, check in from time to time, just picked up a new boat that's been a little project and am happy to have this site as a resource again.

Actually just came here to the lounge to see what is the best way to share pictures on here now.....facebook also kills sites like this because it is just so easy to share a picture in comparison, but these forums are so much better to search for information.

Photos EASY Way of Adding Photos to Posts - Please Read (screamandfly.com)