I apologize if this change came off as sounding like I was telling anyone what to do. I cannot and would not assume to tell anyone what to do. To me it was simply a matter of choice. Because of some life circumstances I felt the need to choose between continuing the site with this change of course, or try to sell the site to someone else to continue as a totally free site or to simply close the forums completely (while leaving the content online as long as I could afford to do so). Keeping the content visible while charging for participation seemed like the best option of the three. If it doesn't work out then I'll have to try one of the other two options and refund the Captains Club members their subscriptions. I thank them that they see value in what is offered here and voluntarily choose to support it. No one is being coerced or forced to do anything here. It is simply a choice. It didn't cost anyone anything to visit or join here for the past three years and it costs nothing for them to browse the content now. But those that voluntarily choose to participate are paying for the opportunity to do so.
Speaking of being told what to do...several people have told me what I should be doing with the site and accused me via email of being 'greedy' and trying to get rich off it. I have answered each email personally but let me reiterate some points here. After three years of work in voluntarily developing all this with thousands of hours of time and money spent doing so, not to mention the thousands of hours that Vic and Dave have volunteered as moderators, it is somewhat deflating to be accused of that. Especially in the marketplace of goods and services. I created a product/service and you are free to purchase and use it or not. It really is as simple as that. And many of you have and will continue to benefit from the free access to posted information on the site. The majority of our members have been "lurkers" not posters so nothing changes for them. Finally, I don't know why anyone would think that I am obligated in anyway to provide this for free and provide it forever. Things happen in life and change is inevitable. I'm trying to find the best way to make a change that I must make in my life.
Also, apparently I need to remind folks often too that this is not a website operated or maintained in any way by Triumph Boats or any of their dealers. It was started voluntarily by me, a Triumph Boat owner/purchaser, and is owned/operated by my for-profit company. I control it and am responsible for it. If you are upset about anything concerning the policies or operation of this site then your beef is with me, not Triumph Boats or their dealers.
It is only the support of Captains Club members and a handful of sponsors that have enabled me to provide this product/service so far. And I thank each of them for their support. We'll see how the site does over the next few months and go from there. Okay I'm done.
