Dear ***boat (adminstrator)

[OCMerrill]

The call out thread(Daniel) could have been the final thread that brought this on. Good drama at the grocery chk out,but really was over the top in the class dept.
I agree. We all like a good read, but that thread was a joke. I cant belienve those people had made it this far through life. I am all for a site without that stuff. Just wish some of the good people I have met here were still around.
I agree and Magic34 you tried your best to get the parties that be to realize was asses they were making out of themselves but the fact is the thread is still a go.
If it were the root cause I would think it would have been deleted by now or at least locked.

[asch]

An intelligent "businesslike" approach would have involved a well thought out post by the new owners detailing the changes they had planned, what would or would not be acceptable and letting people decide for themselves whether they would stay or go. Would not have created anywhere near the animosity.
True, but on the flip side, this IS a free-for-all website. Nobody's obligated to anyone--on either side. Now if you and I and everyone else here were shareholders or had some kind of financial interest in this website and this happened, then yeah, there'd be problems.
Although it may seem like brown nosing, it ain't. I just know my place.
This whole thing is a bit similar to the real estate situation. It was announced the hammer was gonna drop and now that it has, everybody's all surprised and ticked off .....mass foreclosure was inevitable. We knew it was coming.
Also, keep your eye on the vendor/advertiser section to increase. I see this website to be driven by heavy advertising in the future.
Remember....He who has the gold, makes the rules.

[Sleeper CP]

Not having read through this situation entirely nor having all the facts, I would venture to say that the new ownership is not interested in the debauchery that often graces these pages. As such, image is going to be paramount with ***boat. Probably trying to appeal to more of a wider, family-friendly demographic.
Prediction: The banning will continue until image and or morale improves.
What next no swim suite issue because a few "f"ing uptight prudes don't like a little skin:idea:
These idiot's could "F" up a rock.
Sleeper CP
Big Inch Ford Lover

[asch]

What next no swim suite issue
THAT would be truly disappointing.
I'm just tryin' to read between the lines on this deal and where it might be going.

[Jbb]

Jeez, how far up the new ownership's ass(es) do you intend to shove your nose?????(I've also read many of your other posts on the subject)
I highly doubt that eliminating a few people will suddenly draw in "new blood" that was afraid to join previously. I'm reminded of some dimwit business owner who posted here a few years ago about how he would routinely fire his best employee(and I'm not saying those that were banned were the "best" members) just to keep the others on their best behavior. All it really accomplishes is showing people how little business sense they really have. They will lose a whole lot of the people, like myself, who rarely post/read here in the sandbar, but who think that the heavyhanded behavior demonstrated today makes this anything BUT a positive place to continue reading or posting. Just a reminder, the Sandbar was created as an "open topic" forum.
An intelligent "businesslike" approach would have involved a well thought out post by the new owners detailing the changes they had planned, what would or would not be acceptable and letting people decide for themselves whether they would stay or go. Would not have created anywhere near the animosity.

[voodoomedman]

I highly doubt that eliminating a few people will suddenly draw in "new blood" that was afraid to join previously.
An intelligent "businesslike" approach would have involved a well thought out post by the new owners detailing the changes they had planned, what would or would not be acceptable and letting people decide for themselves whether they would stay or go. Would not have created anywhere near the animosity.
I agree that there could have been a better way about it. Warn people so that they comply with the rules instead of "There's a new Sheriff in town".
With that said eliminating some people or at least their posts or actions (And I don't know who was banned and maybe some weren't justified) would definitely bring new people or bring lurkers out of the woodwork. I notice people who are genuinely good guys and bring value to the forums that used to post quite a bit but now only post once every 6 months. Let's face it there are only a handful of people who post in any tech forum or anything other than the Sandbar anymore because the culture has lead to it not being read. If I post a boating question it goes in the Sandbar because that is where it gets read. The problem is you will see 100-150 views but only about 5-10 replies. 1 or two of those replies will be serious and the others will be sarcastic remarks or RD Sux. Countless threads turn into the same handful of people who's life revolves around this place bashing eachother, a manufacturer or a page of replies rehashing the same old stupid joke. It gets old. Most people won't sit around reading the crap. Us SoCal folk will sift through it because it's the closest thing to keeping your mind on boating while your boat is 4 hours away. The rest of the country will just go boating. I say let everyone come back but they have to play nice and warn them if they slip up. The do it again and they are gone permanently and everybody gets to know why.

[Old Texan]

After a several hour fiasco I have finally gotten onto the site in order to post something.
New Qwners whomever you may be or whatever you may be about, I sincerely believe you've made a big mistake in whatever you're doing. I believe you will eventually find your subscriptions and advertising will drop and be effected by pi--ing off so many old time users. If you don't want us just say so and we'll be gone.....So far that's what your actions have indicated.
Looks like Later has been brought in as an advisor to the new folks.....:devil:

[yopengo]

Please don't ban Yo Pengo.... he is my favorite penguin esque character on HB.com
Are you saying I am short and fat? Well mister I am one of those and its not short…..
Not having read through this situation entirely nor having all the facts, I would venture to say that the new ownership is not interested in the debauchery that often graces these pages. As such, image is going to be paramount with ***boat. Probably trying to appeal to more of a wider, family-friendly demographic.
Part of me believes they have every right to do so and today simply demonstrates their seriousness. Business image is often the reverse thinking of the way things "ought to be" and what goes on here apparently is not in HB's best new image interest. For the handful of people that have been banned today, there might be twice as many new people that might become members and/or subscribers simply because of a cleaner image.
Part of me also sees this website as a longstanding, close knit community helping each other out. Even though I've only been here little more than a year, contribute very little, I do see the positive things.
Prediction: The banning will continue until image and or morale improves.
This would be so true if they were selling Bayliners.....Not Custom HP Boats.

[Sleeper CP]

Bilge,
I thought I read somewhere(RD'S) that you got banned last night?
I hope they get this worked out sooner before later.... they are turning this place into a waste land.
Sleeper CP
Big Inch Ford Lover

[Some Kind Of Monster]

Hey Rex,
So what are the grounds for being banned? I know I have created more problems on here than some of the banned people. I'm seriously considering boycotting this site and calling to cancel my subscription. I would say that ***boat has the weekend to figure this out before they lose ANOTHER paying customer.