The last Freeboard Challenged

[roostwear]

If you've wanted to attend a Freeboard Challenged event, you'll have to make it in May, because this will be the last one. The IRS and my accoutant are not pleased that putting these on have put Roostwear in the red, so something's gotta go. :jawdrop: Trying to keep FC from becoming commercial has helped make it what it is, and also hasten it's demise. I've wrestled with trying to get sponsors to help offset costs and help out logistically, while keeping it a get together and not an obvious marketing ploy. The interest from other manufacturers further reinforces my decision.
Make your reservations now, 'cuz (literally) you don't want to wait too long!
:hammer2:

[flat broke]

Anything we could do to help out? Forget costs, just make it like the Needles trip the V'drive guys do, or like Run What Ya Brung. Just post a date for a weekend and have everyone show up!
We were really looking forward to the 2nd FC this year because I can't make the first one. Hopefully there will be another get together at Big River later in the summer.
Chris

[Squirtcha?]

Anything we could do to help out? Forget costs, just make it like the Needles trip the V'drive guys do, or like Run What Ya Brung. Just post a date for a weekend and have everyone show up!
Hopefully there will be another get together at Big River later in the summer.
Chris
I'd second that. Typically I only make a couple trips to the river each year (of course CBBB is one of those trips). I'm sincerely hoping to make it a more regular place to go boating this summer.
No offense intended Mike (really!), but is the money that you're laying out personally (or as a business) really necessary to the event?

[roostwear]

To have it at Big River, it is. I could do it at the place in BHC, but then there's more traffic on the water, and you REALLY can't run zoomies up there. I have wanted to have a get together at Lazy Harry's.........

[Squirtcha?]

$o Big River actually ding$ ya for the u$e of the place? Is that where our discounted ramp fees are coming from? How's about if the costs are split up between the group.............or is that getting too complicated? Or maybe they (BR) won't even let it go down that way?
Where is Lazy Harry's?
Am I asking too many questions?
Also...........didn't mean to take your involvement lightly Mike. Myself.......like many others I'm sure, don't realize all that goes on behind the scenes and what it takes to put something like this together.

[Nucking futs]

I agree with Chris on this.Just call it a freeboard challenged event and let everyone make there own reservations and such.Big river is not the only launch ramp out there and it is real nice to keep everyone in the same area, but you only have a 5 min. drive to get a room in Parker.I really enjoy hanging out at these events and meeting alot of great people.Can't you just call it a freeboard BBQ? Post a date and let everyone decide on where they want to stay? It wont be that hard to find the large group of boats zooming up river.If there is anything i can do let me know.
Tim

[flat broke]

Yup, Just like RWYB. Just post up the weekend, the phone number to Big River (since that's where a lot of us will have trailers anyhow), and tell us where the BBQ will be on the beach. Everyone BYOBs and it is just like any other weekend on the river with the exception that everyone knows everyone else is showing up. If you're going to keep the roostwear board up, you're already covering the costs for the webspace, so you might as well put it to use spamming the weekend bbq! ;)
Chris

[roostwear]

No, Big River doesn't ding me at all. They are MORE than accomodating, and have been great about discounted rates for attendees. There are other costs associated with putting it on that people don't see.
Lazy Harry's is up in Bullhead.

[Nucking futs]

There are other costs associated with putting it on that people don't see.
Well nobody said you had to make shirts for this thing.Im lost on what it is that is dinging you? Can you enlighten me?In a pm if you prefer...
Tim

[moneysucker]

I have no problem with reservation fees either. No one should be pulling from their own wallet for an event like this where it is for others to have fun at and not stand to make anything. I would pay for entry fees Like inn poker runs, or what ever else has to be done to cover the expenses and time to host an event such as this. I know there are a lot of people on budgets and extra $ is hard to find but there aren't many places that you can go for free, it is a fact of life.

[roostwear]

A reservation fee (or a charge related to the event) makes you an organizer, and increases your liability. An event generating income opens a whole other can of worms. Maybe if I sold FC decals on Roostwear at what, $5 each? It is providing a product, not directly funding an event.

[1978 Rogers]

I've love reading the threads and articles in ***boat about the FC get togethers. I envy you guys. I want to to come down sometime for one, but my rig now would never make the trip. This can't stop, just can't. :cry:
PLEASE.

[victorfb]

what if the event was to be more of a fund raiser (non profit)? lets say we call it an FC event that raises money for local fire/ emergancy/ and law enforcement. all proceedes go to them. im sure everyone will have no problem DONATING a few bucks to have their boat involved in the event and raise money to help keep law enforcement happy. *wink* some proceeded will go toward the neccesities of the event which would cover costs now being handled by roostwear. something like a 10k run as you will. with the beneficiary's being local law and emergancy personell i would think sponsorship would be warrented.
just a thought. we gotta come up with something.
and futs..... im not sure i like the term "freeboard challenged BBQ". kinda sounds like we going to sacrafice a flaming boat to the water gods in hopes for smoother water. freeboard challenged event AND BBQ sounds much better. :)

[moneysucker]

Even the FC decals at the launch ramp or beach. This can be done this year and get the accountant off your back. You are right on the liability issue. I forgot about that. FC merchandise is OK though. There has got to be some way around this. Without opening yourself up to liabilities.

[Nucking futs]

and futs..... im not sure i like the term "freeboard challenged BBQ". kinda sounds like we going to sacrafice a flaming boat to the water gods in hopes for smoother water. freeboard challenged event AND BBQ sounds much better. :)
Well is'nt this where the "freeboard challenged" show how we enjoy our boats? You know "where the bullshit stops" ! There is always a sacrafice Vic.
Tim

[roostwear]

I'm not burning the circus boat for you !!!

[roostwear]

Although I am obviously aware of the liability I am assuming, that isn't the major issue. I arrange a get together for friends, not a boating event. As of this morning, there were 72 boats and 217 people signed up, so there is some interest. The problem is that (business-wise) this is a niche market, with limited demand. My best customers might order twice a year (thank you), but how many Hondo, Challenger, Tahiti, etc, owners are there around? Do they like what I make and (the difficult part) actually order anything? Since the profit from those sales are what fund FC (in the hopes of more sales), the REAL issue is that FC doesn't return hardly any sales for the capital expended. If I had a more mainstream product with greater distribution, it wouldn't be as much of an issue. :hammerhea

[78Southwind]

I think the "Ticket" is selling a FC decal or T-Shirt to cover costs. I think most would want one anyways. When you fill out the sign-up form have a drop down box to add to the cart.

[jamessampica]

Mike i understand what you are going thru to put this on for many of us.So if there's anything i can do to make this happen twice a year you only have to say so.For what everyone's suggested i totally agree with them all.Let's do everything and anything to make this easier on MIKE because in the long run we all gain so much going to these event's.And these two event's are two we don't want to let fade in in the past.So MIKE what ever you decide to do let's try to save these two.Well that's all i have to say on this but MIKE you have my cell number so call for any help.LATER!!!!!!!
JIM S

[MudPumper]

Mike, there is always a way. This CAN'T die.

[bigkatboat]

How much money (cash, geedis, denaro, bux, scratch) will it take to keep this (2 or more times a year) going? Some of us really like the "FC" boats and are in the position to make it happen. If this is a REAL PROBLEM, my friend Scott (Ducky) and I have the cash to "make them happen". If this is a "I want to make more money off of my 'so called friends', deal". count us out! If this is really for the fun and benefit of 'boat owners', then I know that we can help.

[Brooski]

I have put together quite a few events over the years, and have stayed away from the liability issue being put on me. I, for one, would be more than willing to donate $10 or $20 each for me, and whoever goes with me, for all the work that goes in to this event. Make it a $25 donation (not a fee), and throw in a sticker or shirt. Hopefully that would cover your costs, you still get the publicity, and it would keep Uncle Sam off your back.
If you need any help, feel free to call. And I like the Lazy Harry's idea.
Mike, check your PMs

[MudPumper]

I have put together quite a few events over the years, and have stayed away from the liability issue being put on me. I, for one, would be more than willing to donate $10 or $20 each for me, and whoever goes with me, for all the work that goes in to this event. Make it a $25 donation (not a fee), and throw in a sticker or shirt. Hopefully that would cover your costs, you still get the publicity, and it would keep Uncle Sam off your back.
If you need any help, feel free to call. And I like the Lazy Harry's idea.
Mike, check your PMs
Not that Roger knows what he's talking about but......
Yeah, what he said. :D

[FOURQ]

ok guys mike and I have discuseed a way to help all this happen for years to come.. you all have to participate and use the site www.spareboatparts.com to sell all your used parts and help us generate income to help continu the event its a joint effort on our part to hepl keep our costs even and give back to you guys with the events.. its only a $1.75 at most to list an item for sale there. you get 5 free credits when you register.. so please use the site to help keep FC going and roostwear.com (http://www.roostwear.com ) and southwindjetboats.com (http://www.southwindjetboats.com) up and running to help and provide you all with the info we provide. many of you know how to use these sites but dont see the costs associated with it . no its not much but it does add up so every little bit helps...
Shawn

[BILLY.B]

Although I am obviously aware of the liability I am assuming, that isn't the major issue. I arrange a get together for friends, not a boating event. This is exactly what the "Needles Vacation/ V-Drive Bash is. As far as the liability goes it's more of a problem then I think you realize and i'm going to leave it at that. We did a BBQ for 4 years and the cost was $10.00 a head. The catering guy charged us $7.00 and the extra $3.00 went to him directly as a tip. You can't believe all the BS being spread that "I" was getting rich and making money off my friends. So guess what????, the BBQ ended. It just blows me away how some people will bitch about anything just to get attention. The noise thing is becoming a concern also especially now a days :boxingguy :burningm: . I would hate to see all of these "VACATIONS" come to end also because they are a kick in the ASS, and you meet so many great people. WE NEED TO KEEP THESE VACATIONS GOING...

[cyclone]

This doesnt have to get complicated. I have the answer. Forget t-shirts, stickers and websites. We dont need any of that for all of us to get together twice a year. Since Mike started this whole deal, he should get to pick the two dates a year for the get togethers and then we all just show up on our own accord. That way its not an event, Mike has zero liability and it doesnt cost him anything. I"d even shut down the website for FC and just let the info spread via word of mouth and internet message boards to further the notion that Mike isn't liable. Money shouldnt keep us all from showing up at the river at a given date and enjoying what we all love. We can do this. :)
By the way Mike, thanks for giving us all a good reason to meet in person. This is your baby and we all appreciate it.

[roostwear]

I appreciate all the support I've gotten in the last day, and will be getting back with a couple of you privately about some ideas/offers you made.
There's quite a bit more that goes on behind the scenes than most people realize. Just posting a date and people showing up seems like it would work, but without some hidden structuring, it gets a bit chaotic and doesn't flow as smoothly. I mentioned earlier about maybe having one up in BHC, and this would be easier for me to do simply because, throughout the boating year, I'm up there frequently. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. The most obvious is that noise is an issue. Traffic isn't as big of a deal since FCs are in May or October, and the river traffic has calmed down considerably. The night life options are greater.... Lazy Harry's is on the water, as is Iguana's. These are obviously my favorites because I can walk home from either. You can even beach or tie up to them if you want! There are the casinos, Maddog's, or Loser's lounge. During the day, there are alot more beaches to set up on out of the more highly traveled areas. The disadvantage is, your room/RV isn't accessible when you're on the water, you have to pack in/pack out.
Billy, I appreciate your input. Believe me, I know what my liabilities are.... I've learned from others "experiences", and consulted to be able to make an informed decision on what/how to have a get together.
At this point, I'm reconsidering how to have another FC, but will wait until after FC3 to decide how/where/if there is another.
Feedback?

[roostwear]

ttt

[wsuwrhr]

This is exactly what the "Needles Vacation/ V-Drive Bash is. As far as the liability goes it's more of a problem then I think you realize and i'm going to leave it at that. We did a BBQ for 4 years and the cost was $10.00 a head. The catering guy charged us $7.00 and the extra $3.00 went to him directly as a tip. You can't believe all the BS being spread that "I" was getting rich and making money off my friends. So guess what????, the BBQ ended. It just blows me away how some people will bitch about anything just to get attention. The noise thing is becoming a concern also especially now a days :boxingguy :burningm: . I would hate to see all of these "VACATIONS" come to end also because they are a kick in the ASS, and you meet so many great people. WE NEED TO KEEP THESE VACATIONS GOING...
I'd have sent 15. a person for the food, wouldn't have cared or given a second thought to where the money went. The BBQ took the vacation over the top.
What is 10. anymore? 4 gallons of gas? CA'MON. It still bugs me when I hear about that. Whiners ruining it for everyone.
Brian

[taylormanss]

I sure hope you guys Figuire out a way to keep this event going,we have alot of events over here in Texas for the smaller hot boats,I really hate to see you guys lose an event that looks like it is one of the better runs over there.I was kinda wanting to bring my Centurion tunnel over there when I finished it this year.Any help you need from the lonestar state just let us know.Randall taylormanss Ross

[Wet Dream]

;)