How Accurate is the Information You Receive Here?

fwebster said:
What do you do when the author of the questionable information is so over confident or arrogant that, thanks to the relative annonymity of a forum, the discourse quickly escalates to a contentious exchange that isn't healthy for the message board?
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You use a big sturdy screwdriver and pry him out.
 
I tend more to "listen"(read) when I see any mechanical advice listed or presented here it will either sit well or spawn a different angle to look at.
When it comes to input with opinions, I like to see all the different perspectives.
Like my request for info about the boat I'm looking at. I can ask you all "Hey what issues or what should I look for” and get a variety of things in return; with none had by all.

Also for those with many different boats/experiences, typically I can read their posts and gain some knowledge on things to look for if I were to every run across a similar situation.
The point is that whatever I do on my boats, I want to do it right.
This site allows me to bounce ideas, opinions and thoughts off of all of you and filter out the unnecessary or “time saving” angles which will cost me $$$ down the road.
Don’t listen to me I don’t even own a boat.

Good post Frank
 
fwebster said:
Dave,

As you know, disagreeing with someone or asking them to explain themselves has never been a problem for me, but it isn't my job to censor others. What do you do when the author of the questionable information is so over confident or arrogant that, thanks to the relative annonymity of a forum, the discourse quickly escalates to a contentious exchange that isn't healthy for the message board?
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I struggled last night to post on this thread and gave up. But now I think this question addresses what I wanted to get at. I am a 'how and why' kind of person. I am usually not going to accept as gospel a post by anyone that is not backed up with 'how' or 'why'. And that I think is the answer to your question. You keep the thread on topic. If you know a post is wrong, I have observed that you commonly know why the post is wrong. So it seems the logical next step is to post 'why' or 'how'; that is the real information anyway.
 
fwebster said:
Dave,

As you know, disagreeing with someone or asking them to explain themselves has never been a problem for me, but it isn't my job to censor others. What do you do when the author of the questionable information is so over confident or arrogant that, thanks to the relative annonymity of a forum, the discourse quickly escalates to a contentious exchange that isn't healthy for the message board?
Click to expand...

Frank,

You are right about arguments not being healthy for the board unless they ensue in a "friendly" way. And if there are multiple possible solutions to a problem or a topic that one of our members is asking about, then I guess we should all recognize that and say there are several ways to solve the problem. But in the end if you really disagree with someone who is being adamantly stubborn and giving bad advice, then I feel you (or any of us) should go on record about the situation and then just drop the matter and let the person looking for an answer decide on their own who to listen to.

Generally speaking when a person is known for giving questionable advice, their credibility will disappear very quickly.

Dave
 
We're all adults here. We don't need someone to tell us who to listen to and who not to. We're each of us responsible for any action taken with respect to advice given here or elsewhere on the internet. I see no difference between erroneous information given here and erroneous information given by an incompetent service tech or salesperson, and there are plenty of them.
This forum is about sharing information and experiences. We are not all experts. Not all of the information is going to be accurate nor all of the experiences applicable. Whether it's the word of a Master SeaRay Enthusiast or a first time poster, it is merely one persons opinion.
Let the reader beware.
Trying to police the veracity of each post will only serve to discourage those members who believe their posts to be less than expert.
 
The problem is that boats and motors are so complicated. There are tons of old wives tails, good shortcuts, bad shortcuts, too cheap not do, pay me now versus pay me later, it will work most of the time, stories out there that you don't know what to trust. If you have a good understanding of mechnical things that helps you sort through mistakes. Otherwise find a mechanic you can trust, and pay him to keep your boat running.

As for marine industry experts, they come in all sizes too. I read an article in a boat magazine recently where an expert suggested starting your engine dry while waiting to launch your boat. The next month someone wrote in and asked if that would damage the impellar, the author said that only starting it and running for a few seconds wouldn't harm the impellar. Now if you had a trailer boat would you dry start it every time you approached the ramp?
 
jrcinnh said:
Now if you had a trailer boat would you dry start it every time you approached the ramp?
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I did this everytime with a trailer boat (when I was not leaving from home). Never had an issue.

If I knew I was going out after work, I would tow the boat to work with me in the am. I always started it at the ramp, less than 5 seconds.

If leaving home, I always ran it with the muffs for a few minutes before heading off to the ramp.



There are 2 mechanics at the marina next door to the marina I dock at. BOTH have VERY DIFFERENT views on servicing, major repairs, spring launch, and winterizing. They have been there for years, and are great people.

The same with the people on my dock. We all have different ways to get things done.
 
Internet moral high ground is not achieved by going to a different thread and implying one doesn't want to start a fight.

Most forum's are a tower of babel. Those with advanced language skills should always start a forum technical dialogue at odds with others with the simple words, "I disagree, here is why..."

CaveatEmperorAugs
 
LtCdr. Augs said:
Internet moral high ground is not achieved by going to a different thread and implying one doesn't want to start a fight.

Most forum's are a tower of babel. Those with advanced language skills should always start a forum technical dialogue at odds with others with the simple words, "I disagree, here is why..."

CaveatEmperorAugs
Click to expand...
"I disagree, here is why..."
I think Frank was attempting to politely point out that everyone logging on here should use caution or perform some additional research prior to subscribing to any specific advice. On another note "Those with advanced language skills should always" spell babel like this: babble. I typically don't banter in this manner but for some reason your "tone" hit a nerve.
 
LtCdr.Augs,

I see you've been a member about a month so its fair to assume you don't know the members very well yet. Well, I don't need moral high ground and am not looking for an ego boost with my activity here. I've been around boats all my life and have owned Sea Rays for 20 years. I participate in this forum to stay active in boating and to help others by sharing what I have learned working on my own boat and others for friends.

Contention, arguments and adversarial encounters is not why I'm here. I left the go for the throat; take no prisoners, type A personality behind when I retired from business. But, I do not believe responsible members should allow incorrect information to be posted without questioning it. In the cases I referenced, I did question the accuracy, but was blown off with an arrogant reply. I'm not the "CSR Data Censor", so to continue questioning someone on a point when they obviously were not open to other methods seemed to be fruitless and counter to the purpose and direction the owner of the CSR forum has indicated he wants to follow.

Todd is correct and said it more clearly than I probably did. Owners need to verify in some manner the maintenance procedure they get via a forum, particularly those posted by people who don't own a Sea Ray and who state: "I know what the manual says, but I so it another way because its quicker and costs less".
 
fwebster said:
So, I'm wondering if any of you ever attempt to verify the accuracy of the information you get here and if you do, how do you do it?
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Depending on the nature of my curiousity, I use the bag full of manuals that came with the boat. Then if I'm still not sure, try to contact the OEM via the email link at their web site. I have had very good experience using the web this way...and then there is my trusted mechanic.

I like this forum to bounce an idea off like minded enthusiasts. In genreral, I have learned a lot here.
 
I have to agree that one can not opt out of a discussion becuase another contributor makes a mis-statement. If someone makes an error and we catch it we owe it to ourselves to point out the possibility of an error being made. Personally, if I mis-speak I would want someone to point out my error.

We also have to remember that this form of communication we are using is flawed in that it is without the indcators of verbal speech that allow us to judge things like sarcasm.

Now to get back on point, I have found most of the information here to be very accurate. More importantly I have found everyone to be willing to help every time I have posted a question.

Henry
 
Well I think there's a big difference between a short cut that might cause you problems and advice that will cause serious damage or even injury. Most of the "bad" advice seems to be the former. If anyone posts the later, it's time to throw decorum aside and speak up.

Sure in the abstract any problem could strand you in a situation that could turn dangerous. But when you stepped off the dock you agreed to take some risk.
 
Frank

Guess I struck a nerve. Mea culpa.

I believe we are both in violent agreement on this subject and of course I defer to your greater Sea Ray experience but I'll match you year for year for nautical passion.

You must know the internet is self policing for the most part on advice. Good for you for posting your disagreement ( I noticed the one so far where you advised people to 'please' not [tap structurally unsound materials]), I just happen to think that an expert is better coached to focus on the content vs. the existential.

That's my point.

I believe discerning minds will balance short advice with long wisdom, such as yours...so long as both are posted. But those that won't, well, won't listen anyway. Ensuring potentially dangerous anecdotes are challenged by fact in open discussion is yeoman's duty and doing so in the specific and appropriate thread lends credibility, aside ad hominem's do not.

As you point out I'm new to here. I am not new to these kind of on-line content expert sites and so it's not fair to assume I'm not perceptive. Different forum but same motely crew of experts, afficionados, lurkers, weekenders, and boatless babblers (just a joke Todd, skol back atcha) all together.

HeuristicEngineerAugs
 
For me, all advice is appreciated on this board...but like stated above, I may not act on it. Also think it is definately OK to state you disagree or have concerns in a thread. Be careful though about the difference between stating "I think you may be wrong" vs "I Know you are wrong because I did it your way and this is what happened!".

Experienced professionals should be welcomed and encouraged to participate on this board even if they have ego and attitude. Just tell me what I need to know to get the job done on my boat... Others will chime in with their concerns and I'll make the decision. Like the board before this, the community will always respect and listen to those with experience/knowledge who are trying to help. Without the expertise and willingness to share, we would be on another board.

Have I ever read something that was completely off the wall and ridiculous from a member on this board? Not that I can seem to recall but a few things have raised eyebrows including the item that led to this thread. I put them into the 'interesting' category and move on...

I can tell you 100% for sure that not all Marinemax certified mechanics alway follow Mercruiser's specified procedures for various things, including the infamous engine fogging cocktail... (I've yet to see a post on any board on how to connect the external tank easily and safely, btw...!)
 
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