posts and critiques and debates - these things help me learn

[OptiMystic]

I make posts about things I am doing to my boat not just to share knowledge as I am not really an expert, but also to get feedback about how I might improve it or - worst case - what is horribly wrong with what I did. Maybe nothing is wrong and I help the next person wanting to do something similar - sure, that's what I hope is the case.  If someone posts about a problem, I may follow up and try to pin down specifics so that I understand or to figure out if you are giving me facts/consensus or opinions/preference. That doesn't mean I don't value opinions; just that I want to know the difference.

Why am I telling you this? In posts and PMs, I have had people worry I would take a comment the wrong way or seem to take offense that I asked a follow up question instead of just accepting a statement made. I enjoy debate; probably enough to annoy most people.  I like to be right, not just think I am right, so I want to be corrected when I am wrong. I think people primarily participate in these forums to share info and help each other. So take off the gloves and don't be subtle and don't worry about my psyche (that ship has sailed  ::) ) or self confidence.

[okawbow]

Grog for your effort!  There is something to learn from nearly every post I've read on Sailfar. Keep posting your projects. They get me thinking!

[Pappy Jack]

Hi Opti,

I'm with you. Nobody knows everything and everybody should be learning, I know I am. Just do what it takes to learn and don't worry about the little stuff.

Fair winds,

Pappy Jack

[Lynx]

You might be supprised what people do not know and doing wrong. So many things are different with small boats it is best to ask.

[Shawn T W.]

Yeah, I agree, and I also say "a person should say what they mean, and mean what they say" but . . . it should be said not only courteously, but factual with as much accuracy as possible. And people may need also to understand, that some things aren't always known up front. For instance, your engine may have a skip, and it started shortly after refueling, one could reasonably assume that it was bad fuel . . . however . . . it could be that you have an ignition problem which started acting up at about the same time, but with more questions, it could be discovered that a bad plug, or wire could be the culprit.

Certainly a wide range of input is helpful for one to learn the "Right" way, and how "not" to do something. And that is why I joined here, to glean from what others have learned.

Shawn

[AdriftAtSea]

And hopefully, by being here, we can avoid the painful parts of the learning curve that can be the hardest teacher out there...

[saxon]

I agree with the above comments Opti, it's the buggers that think they know it all that you have to give a wide berth. Fortunately this forum seems to be clear of seagoing encyclopaedias.    ;D  ;D Regards Saxon.

[rtbates]

Keep in mind that there are usually a few different ways to skin any given cat...

Find what works for you.