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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195146
05/17/2019 12:08 PM
05/17/2019 12:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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I personally avoid stupid boatyball.
Once they get critical mass, up go prices.
We have spent several weeks down here since the introduction of bb. Have not used it even once.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195148
05/17/2019 12:28 PM
05/17/2019 12:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,338 Maryland
Kirk
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,338
Maryland
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Does "add some more reservable moorings" mean less non-reservable moorings?
Kirk in Maryland
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195155
05/17/2019 12:54 PM
05/17/2019 12:54 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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Doubtful, I expect no more fcfs balls. Just BB at ever higher prices.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195173
05/17/2019 05:18 PM
05/17/2019 05:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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I think Cooper has now converted 15 fcfs balls to BB. That represent a huge reduction in the number of fcfs balls and therefore reduces my choice of balls even if I get there real early.
As I have said many times, if boaty ball added new balls and did not impact the number of fcfs balls, then I would be in favour of it.
I am not in favor of the current implementation.
Last edited by warren460; 05/17/2019 05:20 PM.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195187
05/17/2019 07:17 PM
05/17/2019 07:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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Hey Alec, Do you have a bvi work permit? If not, you have no business working in the BVI. Please don’t mess with more fcfs balls.
Boatyball has the right to ban you from the application. When they get enough balls, this will allow them to effectively ban you from the bvi.
Last edited by warren460; 05/17/2019 07:58 PM.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195188
05/17/2019 07:18 PM
05/17/2019 07:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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Once again, boatyball is forcing up mooring prices, How do we keep them away?
Has anyone ever planned on getting to a particular Anchorage only to change your mind after 7am?
Perhaps you want to add another mid day stop and won’t get as far, or maybe you can’t get far enough due to weather or wind?
Does boatyball accommodate a change of plans? Fcfs sure does.
I don’t want to be forced to commit to my evening destination at 7am.i often change my plans as the day evolves.
How about you?
Last edited by warren460; 05/17/2019 07:57 PM.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195382
05/20/2019 11:40 AM
05/20/2019 11:40 AM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,338 Maryland
Kirk
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,338
Maryland
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Seems like it would an ok application IF they weren't taking balls off the open market so to speak. Give people the option by choice-not necessity.
Kirk in Maryland
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195395
05/20/2019 02:37 PM
05/20/2019 02:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 24 Colorado
NewfD90
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 24
Colorado
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We were in Anegada this morning and looked at the app - no CGB moorings. By the time we pulled into CGB, there were several there. They must have just come online today.
Used a BB for out first night in Anegada so we could take our time and fish the drop. As soon as we pulled in and took the last mooring, a representative came out and checked our reservation. Kudos to BB for the enforcement. The next night we noticed a crew come in and clean/maintain the BB balls.
Anchored off of Vixen in NS the previous night and it was sublime. Quite a crowd over at Leverick.
Last edited by NewfD90; 05/20/2019 02:40 PM.
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195396
05/20/2019 02:37 PM
05/20/2019 02:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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So BB has now hijacked 10 fcfs balls at Cane Garden Bay. Meaning that the average price of moorings in the BVI is going up. This is not good for anyone. The BB balls are too high and damage the underside of cats. The BB take away our choices. If the balls are associated with Rymers we should let Rymers know how we feel. Boatyball is a bad idea. Please don’t use them unless it’s necessary.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: warren460]
#195400
05/20/2019 03:00 PM
05/20/2019 03:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,672 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,672
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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So BB has now hijacked 10 fcfs balls at Cane Garden Bay. Meaning that the average price of moorings in the BVI is going up. This is not good for anyone. The BB balls are too high and damage the underside of cats. The BB take away our choices. If the balls are associated with Rymers we should let Rymers know how we feel. Boatyball is a bad idea. Please don’t use them unless it’s necessary. CGB has plenty of other moorings and lots of room to anchor. I fail to see how having a choice to sail later in the day is a bad thing. The cost argument is silly. $10 out of a multi thousand dollar charter rental.... Just use your anchor.
Last edited by JasonHelmbrecht; 05/20/2019 03:00 PM.
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: warren460]
#195403
05/20/2019 03:23 PM
05/20/2019 03:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 456 Oak Park, IL
TomGarvey
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 456
Oak Park, IL
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I agree, Warren. GeorgeC and others sounded the alarm early on, and it looks like they called it right. It seems like this is one of those ideas that sounds good in theory but is not so good in practice. Simply converting existing balls to more expensive advanced reservation balls without any net new capacity just moves the race for the last ball at Cooper from a physical one mid-afternoon to a cyber one at 6:59am. And, other than Cooper and maybe Great Harbour, JVD, the destinations have good anchoring options for late-comers.
I'm having a hard time understanding who benefits. The price of a ball is $10 higher, BB takes their cut, the holders of the sea bed leases still have to send out staff to check reservations and play enforcer, there's no additional capacity, and I doubt the BB guys are seeing much return. And, the table is set for additional price increases to solve the problem that BB created. I can imagine it now:
"Commit to a minimum of five balls a week at $50 each and get advanced reservation access. No refunds for changed plans."
Tom Garvey
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195408
05/20/2019 03:43 PM
05/20/2019 03:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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Why should an American control the mooring ball market. That is where it is headed. It has nothing to do with the $10 increase. It's simply wrong.
Of course we can anchor. We do anchor in certain places.
I asked Alec if had a work permit to be in the bvi this week to install balls. He did not answer, so that question remains outstanding. I also asked if he had a license to carry on business in the BVI.
Jason, today it's CGB, where are more BB being installed tomorrow.
Let's see how long it takes for the prices to increase yet again.
What happens when some charter companies are given a 6:45am opportunity to book balls ahead of others?
Control of the mooring fields needs to remain in local hands.
Once again, if BB added balls and did not disturb the number of fcfs balls, I would have no objection. In spite of promises from Alec to increase the number of balls, and not to raise prices, neither promise has been respected.
Last edited by warren460; 05/20/2019 03:48 PM.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195420
05/20/2019 04:34 PM
05/20/2019 04:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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At some point, the charter companies will check the bottom of the cats for boatyball damage. Who will pay for that? Presumably the holder of the charter contract is responsible. Using Boatyball will be very expense when the charterer had to pay for predictable damage. Arguably it will not be subject to the daily insurance buy down because the damage was foreseeable and therefore negligence on the part of the captain.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195423
05/20/2019 04:40 PM
05/20/2019 04:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970 Ontario, Canada
warren460
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,970
Ontario, Canada
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From a private message from Alec
"should clarify that we are converting FCFS moorings but we’re not planning on getting rid of them altogether"
Enough said. Not trying to convert all of the balls.
I assume that this means they intend to convert most have them and enjoy a monopoly.
Warren S/V Scuba Doo Lagoon 450, (part of the TMM fleet). A TTOL sponsor
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195442
05/20/2019 07:58 PM
05/20/2019 07:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,577 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,577
Massachusetts
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We haven't used BB yet. We actually haven't made a trip down in almost 3 years now. But when I first saw it, I didn't think it was a big deal. Here in New England, it seems many marinas use dockwa. Seems to work well. Major difference is you can book further in advance, but it is also a lot more expensive. I wasn't really sure why a whole new method/app needed to be created for this when others existed, but I also didn't see it should be a big deal. I know if we wanted to take a mooring, I'd much rather know we have one waiting then get there to not find one. Especially in a spot like cooper.
Matt
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Re: Boatyball
[Re: Lcrich]
#195485
05/21/2019 09:40 AM
05/21/2019 09:40 AM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,338 Maryland
Kirk
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,338
Maryland
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In all my trips down, I've only had internet on a boat once (which we had to pay a lot for due to a work issue.) Is it pretty standard now that all boats have internet access? We used to check email etc from the wifi at places ashore. Just wondering how everybody is accessing the app at 6:59 in the morning.....
People used to talk about how they went sailing in the BVI's to get away from all that.....
Kirk in Maryland
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