Discussion: Passing the torch or shutting down

[Yngmar]

Discussion thread for https://bavariayacht.org/forum/index.php/topic,4394.msg27754.html

[tiger79]

I reckon I'll be speaking for all of us if I say a big thank you to you, Yngmar, for keeping this forum alive for so long.  It's not an easy job and, as you've said, the legal aspects are becoming onerous. 

So if the forum closes, well we've had a good run, exchanged a lot of knowledge, and enhanced our ownership experience.

[JEN-et-ROSS]

Very sad indeed....
But I can totally understand the commitment involved in running a form like this......
And as such, I'm sure all on this forum appreciate the effort you've ( and your predecessor) put in to keep things up and  running...
I've just read through the new "legislation" and can't see how a bunch of mostly elderly blokes swapping tips and information on their passion for sailing and boats could possibly be a threat to anyone....
But, I agree, this will be the end of most forums, as the risk of having to face a court case at some point would put most folk off...
But I do hope some brave individual with the necessary IT and legal skills is willing to take it on, possibly involving an annual membership fee.....
If not, Lets have whip-round of all the active members to cover your costs...
Again, Many thanks Yngmar.......................

[Happysailor]

Hi Yngmar,

It is indeed very sad these beautifull initiatives and great wealth of experiences is no longer feasible as a hobby. As you have stated clearly, it is going beyond what can be regarded as something to do “on the side”.

All good things come to an end… Thank you very much Yngmar, for all your efforts to keep the forum running and your decision is fully understood!

Great sailings!

[Ailatan]

Dear Yngmar, first of all thank you very much for your time and dedication.
I understand completely all your reasons but, at the same time, I think that it's a pity that all the information already shared and the help that this forum may provide in the future to many Bavaria owners will be lost, so I would like to share a few ideas to see if there is still any options.
1) Can Bavaria trademark help you with the legal, technical and economical part of the problem? I have no doubt that this forum is an asset for the brand.
2) I have no idea, but there are likely companies dedicated to managing all of the legal and technical aspects of the forums. If so, we could consider sharing the cost among the users.
Sorry just a quick thoughts because I'm shocked.

[Odysseus]

I am also sad the site is going, I do sympathise with you as I helped run the scanmar site for years, a lot of work....its a pitty there is not a cold storage available to download the site to.

Thank you for your efforts.

Odysseus
Bav 38 for 25 years.

[Ailatan]

I keep on thinking of alternatives.

Is it possible to move to another platform like Facebook or Instagram easier to handle and maybe with less legal restrictions?

[sy_Anniina]

....
1) Can Bavaria trademark help you with the legal, technical and economical part of the problem? I have no doubt that this forum is an asset for the brand.
2) I have no idea, but there are likely companies dedicated to managing all of the legal and technical aspects of the forums. If so, we could consider sharing the cost among the users.
....

Based on this I think we should look broader for alternatives - I have no knowledge on any of the hosting or legal topics, but topics raising in my mind

• Extending on Ailatan's forst topic - how other brand-specific forums operate? Are manufacturers involved? e.g. myhanse.com
• Any marketing professionals among us? I believe this forum would have true added value for Bavaria brand - how to formulate a "sales pitch" to Bavaria marketing for them to adopt this forum while maintaining autonomy?
• Can some existing generic boating-sailing forums host brand-specific lanes? ybw.com? forums.sailboatowners.com seems to already have some brand-specific lanes, even one for Bavaria

Any other ideas around (or even against) these?

mega-thanks to Yngmar for hosting this forum this far - I understand fully there is time to pass the torch

BR,
Tommi - s/y Anniina

[JEN-et-ROSS]

Would it be possible in the interim to form a 'private' forum among the existing members...?
Surely in that form it wouldn't be covered by the new rules..?
If so, there'd be no hosting fees, trolls, bots etc..
Unfortunately there also would be no new members, nor would the forum be a public source of info..
But it might let us continue in a limited way until we see how the ''new legislation' pans out..........
Or am I just being naive....?

[Ailatan]

Shouldn't we move this topic to the Bavaria Help! part of the forum.
Honestly, I jumped into the Scuttlebutt and realised of the problem by mistake. There may be other users in the same situation.

[Pawelg]

What are overall yearly costs of hosting, domains and cert?

If UK becomes so problematic, why can’t it be hosted in a different country?