A question for Scot and WoodenBoat management

With the Coronavirus shutting down businesses nationwide, I wonder how WoodenBoat will deal with things. Will the magazine continue to be published? I suppose any on-campus activities and the WoodenBoat School will be affected.
One of my concerns is that the WoodenBoat Forum remain online throughout the crisis.
Over the years, it has become a very close knit community, many members becoming friends even though never meeting in person. They are very supportive of each other in times of personnal strife and that support is never more needed then now.
The Forum, in general, is also a great way to spend time while we're all isolated in our homes. Every deck is a total treasure during these times.
I'm just looking for reassurance that the Forum will continue to be there for all.
Thank you.

Sadly, I think the WoodenBoat Show in Mystic was a big source of revenue for them, too. With Mystic Seaport closed indefinitely it’s not looking good for the Show.

I rather suspect there will be an evaluation of the summer end of April. June maybe sketchy. I also think there may be some reluctance of people to become grouples again for a while after restrictions are lifted.

For what it's worth; if it should come to pass that we needed to submit some $$$ to keep this forum going, I'd be glad to pony up. I depend on this place to keep my sanity! :)

I have no sanity left to keep, but I'd be happy to contribute as well :)

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Originally Posted by Hugh MacD

I have no sanity left to keep, but I'd be happy to contribute as well :)

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'zactly!

While a server can be maintained remotely, there has to be the $ to pay the person to do it.

The community here is important enough to me that I'd me more than happy to contribute to keeping it going.

Of course there are those who'd say "If it shuts down I'll never have to listen to Garret again!" - but I've ignored them for quite some time...

We've enough tech-savvy people here, I'm sure someone would be willing and able to host a server to keep it going.

Thinking about sending money to keep the WB forum rolling...before they even ask for it!
I know these are desperate times, but not quite THAT desperate. You guys need to make new friends.

If I pay for it, I will want to use grown up words.

Is it too late to lobby for a WBF bailout package from Congress?
I was thinking that maybe each member gets a one-time $1,500 check and eligibility in a government-backed, low interest loan program to cover the costs of boating related activities. :d

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Originally Posted by wizbang 13

If I pay for it, I will want to use grown up words.

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WHY!?! And for Mr. PCFord I have lots of friends....just not a lot who have the accumulated years of boat knowledge, building experience and tool skills (often with the scars to prove it) that this forum represents :)

Thanks for the good thoughts. Indeed, times are tight. We do plan to keep the WBForum going. Of course, keeping posts polite—even with rising world tensions, helps.


School & Show
No official word on WBSchool, WBShow. Clearly a hot topic of discussion, and no doubt a decision to postpone will be coming soon. The intent is to have School announcement on site later today or tomorrow.


Magazines
WoodenBoat, Professional BoatBuilder, and Small Boats Magazine folks can mostly work from home, and have been doing so. But newsstand sales will shrink with bookstore closings, so subscribe! Plus, the new May/June will be on-line at no charge, at least for a month or so.


Store
We closed the Store to the public a week or so ago. The retail showroom is slow this time of year, but mail order is and always has been our lifeblood. It’s not possible to ship packages from home (but digital download orders are fine). As of today we are not shipping orders. But we are getting clarification from the state. With our small and experienced staff, spacious quarters, and good practices, we have the ability to keep going safely.


-Scot

Thanks Scot! Be well.

Thanks Scot. I should have looked here first before emailing Kim Patten and Rich about the school this summer although she responded immediately with the info you posted. Should classes be postponed to next year that may work out just as well for me. A bunch of old guys getting together in close quarters might not be best until we know much more about the virus.

Scot, Thanks for the reply. Please extend our thanks to everyone there at WoodenBoat.

Hi, all—
Following this thread, there is a new post up at the school website:

https://www.thewoodenboatschool.com

And, WoodenBoat / Store have now been designated as an "essential" business by the state of Maine. So, while our showroom remains closed to the public, we can resume shipping orders. Whew!

-Scot

Now that is good news. All the best to you all in Brooklin.

Nick

Thanks Scot and Tom.

Kevin

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Originally Posted by Scot

And, WoodenBoat / Store have now been designated as an "essential" business by the state of Maine. So, while our showroom remains closed to the public, we can resume shipping orders. Whew!

-Scot

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Well, it looks like Maine is one state that's got its priorities straight! California does, too. The cannabis dispensaries are deemed "essential businesses" here, too. :D

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Originally Posted by Rob Hazard

For what it's worth; if it should come to pass that we needed to submit some $$$ to keep this forum going, I'd be glad to pony up. I depend on this place to keep my sanity! :)

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Put me down as well.
And thank you to WB, their staff and management and to Scot for being extra tolerant of the sometimes 'difficult' traffic in the bilge.
Keep safe all of you.
Jeff

WoodenBoat has also just committed to dough to redesign the Small Boat Monthly interface. Check it out. And subscribe.

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Originally Posted by Ben Fuller

WoodenBoat has also just committed to dough to redesign the Small Boat Monthly interface. Check it out. And subscribe.

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I noticed that--looks really nice.

Tom

The reason I do not subscribe is because in a tiny town like ours the newsagent/post office/gift store/etc. etc relies on the local traffic to stay in business. Use it or lose it.

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Originally Posted by Ben Fuller

WoodenBoat has also just committed to dough to redesign the Small Boat Monthly interface. Check it out. And subscribe.

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I looked at the new website last night and it's so much more accessible and easy to navigate that it's a truly excellent resource now. Well done!

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Originally Posted by skuthorp

The reason I do not subscribe is because in a tiny town like ours the newsagent/post office/gift store/etc. etc relies on the local traffic to stay in business. Use it or lose it.

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Small Boats, at least, is online only; you can't buy it locally. :)

Tom

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