NCKA - Would you "Pay to Play"?...

If I can make it easy to admin I might consider an AOTY participants only section but right now I have enough trouble keeping up with AOTY payments and stickers. 

Like the idea ... I'm going to set this up on NWKA and let you know how it goes.  Will probably do it  manually using membergroups.

-Allen

I'm one of the short-timers here, and I have to say that the site has been absolutely invaluable to me. I still can't get over how friendly and open people are with information, tips, hell, even offering live bait on the water when I'm fishing with frozen 'chovies! Even the livlier threads with basic points of contention are flame-free with most of them being resolved (or at least shelved) with an invitation to go fishing together! That's pure gold.

I'd be happy to contribute monetarily in some fashion, but a pay to play site kind of turns me off. The AOTY idea is cool.

I voted yes, that I would pay... but that's only half of my answer.  I don't think it would be right for NCKA to be a pay for play site, so eventhough I'd be willint to pay for it... I'm not really in favor of doing so.

EK

The main reason I'd pay would be to cut the lurker factor out of the equation.  What's $20 for my favorite site?  Not much.  What is it for a lurker?  A lot...

Anyway, Bill's done very well to regulate the site and to modify when needed.  Keeping the good vibes flowing should be a main focus for most, and those vibes may be getting a little trampled under what may become a lurker stampede... 

It's a hard question with no right answer.  The more we discuss it the more likely that we'll come up with something that keeps the good and cuts out some bad.

 

I'm with the others who say no on principle. I would gladly pay but I like the free, open nature of this forum. Also, like mickfish said, accessing the site can be a great encouragement for people to discover this sport. I lurked for a short time & then joined the site well before I even acquired a kayak, as I know others have done.

Unfortunately, the other contingent exists as well - those who perpetually lurk just to get info from the reports & such and have no intention ever to join. Too bad regulation is necessary but closing the reports to non-members was a good step.

As far as funds, I'm with Danglin - is anyone workin' on gettin' that house at Paradise? 

this site has been absolutely invaluable to me in starting my kayak fishing obsession over the last year, i love the fact that it was free and the info and kindness from everyone flowed with no malice and complete openness to the newbs out there, but i would have no problem paying an annual fee if need be, if it would keep this a very welcoming and sharing place, and it would help the OG's to still give their knowledge and advice without worrying about it hampering there on the water experience. just my two cents, cameron

 I answered yes, I believe that some fishing spots are better  left secret, but that said  If they are not shared  I would not be able to find about them.

I voted no because the question is too open ended. The site is worth more than $20 to me, and I can afford it, but with the fee comes politics and bureaucracy, and I'm kind of allergic to both.

Just out of curiosity, for $20, what would a member receive in kind? Continued access to the site is a valid answer in my book - are there any other ideas?

I would have paid more!

Just think of how many members here offered newbies (complete strangers) to test paddle their own kayaks just to help them make their buying decision a little easier.

Just think some more:

- on how many good friends you've made BECAUSE of this site...(I know I've made PLENTY )
- how much safer you felt being out there in the big blue because of the hook-up section..
- how many GREAT DEALS you got from the NCKA classifieds section
- on how OG's like Sean who took the time and energy to organized the BEST kayak fishing tournaments in NOR CAL..
- OG's like ChuckE, Erik K and a few others who worked super hard to get sponsors to donate prizes to our events...
- those who took the time to represent and promote NCKA on certain events and never asked for a dime for doing so...
- on how members paid their dues and shared their experiences for the better or worse so other's would learn...

I could go on and on...

THESE ARE ALL PRICELESS and I would have no problem paying for it....


but that's just me
-

It shouldnt cost jack for us to share information. Now if Bill is hurting or this site cant support itself with advertising and AOTY contributions then I would be for it. I paid the 25 bucks to be a member of coastside and if I could get my money back I would.All the info I really use on that site is the weather links. The fishing reports are ok but most of the time they are not kayak friendly areas. I keep seeing new advertising on this site so apparently there are businesses that deem us a good crop of consumers.

I voted that I would pay the $20 per year.  However, I would be willing to pay because I have seen the tremendous value of the information available.  I choose to fish on week days since I'm retired, so I haven't attended any of the organized events.  Even without attending the events, I have met a lot great people and learned much over the past nearly two years.  I guess the dilemma is: how would a person who hasn't seen the benefits determine that it would be worthwhile?  I would hate to see the flow of new members stop.  I like the idea of having a "premium" site for those who pay but recognize the difficulties managing such an entity.  Safety should be available to all but things like fishing reports and technique tips could be for members only.  If that can't be done, AOTY may be the best way to collect from those who care.  Maybe there could be something like a "nonparticipating supporter option" for $20.  At least it could be collected at the same time and would probably reduce the work load of having a separate collection.  An annual NCKA T shirt might also be a good option.  I would be willing to pay a donation greater than the cost of the shirt.  I think a lot of people like to have something to show for their money and T shirts always work well.  If a shirt could be produced for around $10; a donation of $25 would be a reasonable amount and provide a good value to the members.  I know that would only be $15 vs. the $20 but it's just another idea.  Getting a shirt with the year printed on it would encourage collecting them and generate interest every year.  The older the shirt, the greater the prestige.

For me the wording in the poll doesn't state how I feel at all.
I would have voted 'NO' but the words 'not worth the money' following it are such a far cry from the truth.
I voted YES-$20 because I know this site is worth a lot more than that to me. Conversly I can only say that because of my experience with NCKA.
No way would I have tossed $20 to join a fishing forum not knowing anything about it.
So my vote is to keep it free. Better to have lurkers than hackers and some lurkers even contribute whether you know it or not. Like the guy who has 59 days, 5 hours and 40 minutes spent here but only has 33 posts to date.
The OG's know who it is.
My dues comes in the form of AOTY, currently holding up LAST place. 

The t-shirt thing is a real go for me . That would be cool.

I would pay.  I've had more fun fishing in the last 2 1/2 years being a member than the previous decades holding a pole. Why not.   

Original Gangster


Thats my guess anyway