As someone who has purchased a web address and built a website and other web pages, it is not only extremely time consuming but costs for functions like "Search" and counters and volume all cost
real money.
Costs have to be offset or it is a financial drain on the individual/person or the site functions have to be "cut". What NC is offering is a continuation of the "quality" of the website, the meaningful organization of it's content and hence, a better product that's easy to use and is a valuable asset to boat owners.
I doubt Triumphowners.net is a tax free entity, nor has services donated for free by vBullitin, etc. NC has tried to defer the costs by having an online store and accepting limited advertising. I am willing to continue to pay $25/yr to not have a dreaded free MS site with offensive bullitin board ads which you cannot control the content as well as no spam pop up ads that seem to embed into your computer, etc, etc, etc.
Triumphowners.net justs get better year by year and if we want a responsible administrator that just won't up and delete the site and we loose all the content overnight (which has happened before), we should support NC. Unlike some other sites I have visited, you can still "lurk" for free and keep informed but you will have to support the site to participate.
I'm all for the change as I acknowledged the value of the site by becoming a Captain's Club member a couple of years ago and it is still $2.083/month which is less than a gallon of gas, bottle of fuel stabilizer, handful of stainless screws, tube of Elastomeric, Grande Machiatto, pack of smokes or 6-pack.
(ps I am not condoning smoking, used as just an analogy. Kids not sure of what analogy means should consult Wickapedia, and no it is not a "rock" band or something you have that causes sneezing and your eyes to water.
)