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Negative Comments

airboat4fun

airboat4fun

Well-known member
Last night I had the "experience" of attending the Broward County Airboat Association meeting. The club "goes dark" for the months of Nov & Dec because many of the members cannot attent meetings due to the holidays and other commitments around the end of the year. That is why there have been no details.
One of the items of "discussion" was the faa meeting and "SOME GROUP OF YAHOOS ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE BEEN BADMOUTHING OUR CLUB AND NOW WANT TO RAID THE GLADES, WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THEM".
After the damage was done I had the unpleasant job of introducing myself as a member of SA and trying to explain to a bunch of "good 'ol boys", most of which have never seen the website and heard the comments second or third hand, who we (SA) are and what we do. I was very uncomfortable trying to explain the comments of other members that I don't agree with, but still have the right to their opinion even if it is wrong.
Just the way the actions of a few inconsiderate airboaters near homes on the waterways up there negatively affect ALL airboaters across the state, because of the negative comments of a few (one member was mentioned specifically) SA now has a bad image with some of the members of the local club down here.
First impressions mean alot and SA has an uphill battle down here now. Remember this is a PUBLIC forum not just a family talking among themselves, there are lots of "guests" and it does not take much for someone to take things out of context.
I would like to remain proud members of both clubs even if they don't agree on things. All of this for a run in my backyard, that I have tried to help with information behind the scenes and will not have the opportunity to enjoy most of, if I can get there at all.
 
Well country I am letting the redneck out.

I really do not think anyone has bad mouthed the club. The only thing we were all upset with was the fact that there was no definite place we were going to have the FAA meeting and all the details of that. As an alternate delegate for SA and my husband being the delegate for his club we had to know the details. We do live over 4 hours away and need to make plans like everyone else. I realize that the holidays were in that period of time and I took that into consideration.

They are more than welcome to look at the forum and see that no one has said anything bad about them. I will apologize if anyone offended them because that was not the intent at all.

My husband's club was not too keen on the idea of riding here either but really there was nothing that they could do because we were doing it anyway. But after SA came here they realized that all we wanted to do was ride and have fun with other airboaters and they did not have a problem and welcome SA anytime. I am like everyone else, I want to see other areas of Florida as well as other states and the only way to do that is meet other people and other clubs. We need to all get along and be able to meet with one another and not have any hard feelings about anything because this could all be taken away from us and we will have no where to ride.

We are not coming down there to run all over people or there area, we are just coming down there to have fun and see new areas and camp out. We are just trying to have fun.

We need to act like grown ups instead of acting like we are in elementary school and say I don't like you because. Again, I will say we need to all get along and work together so we can continue to airboat because if we cause any type of problem between airboaters, we are only going to kill it from the inside out.
I think I have said my peace.
 
I'm all for a SA run on Sunday. Many of us are spending the night and will be riding there Sunday too. I'd like to see Cowboy in his own zone too... but the mummy/mommy thing. :p I hope we link up on Sunday Cowboy!

As for my take on the comments... Its unfortunate. If I misunderstand a thing... that is MY problem. I understand that - always have. I've never been much of a fan about censoring myself because of the sensitivities of others. I do try to be considerate, but when it comes to overall behavior, get over it. Sounds cruel, but if we have to modify our own behavior to make someone who does not understand - something is lost. EXACTLY the same thing with the muffler law.

They had the same reservations at the Brevard club before we used their ramp at the melbourne run. A few old timers were threatened and felt invaded and worried that "their" secret areas were going to be discovered and be all run over with boats all the time. It did not happen, and they were pleasantly surprised when we got there and they realized that it was no big deal.

Maybe the same thing will happen this time too. We are not invaders! The Raid the 'Glades name is FUN, not an actual thing. If someone has a problem with it. it's exactly that - their problem. Like all of us, I will be on my best behavior and know that I am a GUEST. I am confident that they will be plesantly surprised, and any comments will be long forgotten.

I don't want to change airboaters! But the stereotypical airboater type is a quiet, keep-his-cards-close-to-his-chest sort of guy. The strong silent type. The kind that does not make friends easily. Well... we are too. and it's tense at first, but I'm sure there will be a friendship or two started out of this run. And that's a good thing. They just don't know that yet ;)

like all things, this too shall pass.

matt.

(I hope I'm the one that was mentioned by name! Sometimes seems my real name is "Mr. Misunderstood") LOL
 
Airboat4fun - thanks for your valiant efforts to "keep the peace". I'm sure that once the members of the Broward club see how we are and who we are, their opinion will change. We may be a buncha "Yahoo's", but we mean no harm, and we are very respectful of the waterways and residents of this great state.
Randy, I hope it wasn't too bad for you. Thanks again for sticking up for us!
 
Randy, it's possible that they're all more concerned about this impending "invasion from the North" than they are about anything that could have possibly been said on the website ..... a few smiles and handshakes will normally overcome that.

Sorry you were put in that position.

BF
 
If anybody has anything club-related they can trade or pass out for souveigneers down there that will ease over some of it too. Good ole boys like the odd hat or coffee mug or even a cup of coffee. An invite to join in on the fun is always in order as well.

I remember when folks used to come up from down South to Brevard, we were all kind of angry and hostile. Only a few of us bothered to meet the folks and make any friendships. Those of us that did were rewarded with personal invitations to join them down there. This goes back to the early 70s. Local folk are just normally leary of outsiders.

One idea I have always thought showed good intent is for every boat to take a trashbag and bring out more trash than they take in. Look or ask for dumpster locations at the ramp or the closest ones. I think it would be super cool to have stickers or rubber stamps made up for each trashbag with the club logo, and/or even order some bright Orange trash bags the stamp or sticker them.. This can have a huge positive effect. In the long run, what you do says more than what you say anyway.

Scotty
 
Sorry bout that randy, I for one apperciate your efforts to clarify and smooth over the situation.
 
In case you haven't noticed, COMMUNICATION is not exactly the strong point of the club down here. I think it was more like what was said about what was said about something a guy read one time. this was their introduction to SA and if you give a "good 'ol boy" some time to get fired up and on the defensive, look out when you open the door. it is natural to be leary of strangers (some are stranger than others) and it will take a face to face meeting to win at least some of them over.
Everybody on this site knows it is about good times with good people doing something we all love in places we love to do it.
some folks just don't play well with others, you just need to find out who they are and let them play with themselves
 
Ha Randy

I hate to see you got in such a mess if I knew you going to get into all that I would have loned you one of my flak vests thank for taking the time to restore the peace.
 
Airboat4fun,
I know what your dealing with. There are several "issues" here,
1. There are a lot of airboaters that may or may not be online that are shall we say, Preservationist. They like "Their" area to be left alone just for them (the same argument the bunny huggers use against us). As Pres. of CCAA, I see it all the time. They feel it is their back yard so "why should I trailer my boat", "why is everyone got to come here". A lot of people DON'T LIKE CHANGE. Change is gonna happen. "The only thing constant is change". I bet if you look at the ones complaining, you can pick out those NOT online.
2. Yes we all must be careful of what we say online because others reading may not know all the details of TOTAL conversation which leads to taking out of context and misinterputation then he said she said.
3. Broward club did INVITE FAA to the glades for meeting and ride (when it's cold go south). And yes details were very slow coming out. The last FAA meeting was in Oct. where it was set for Broward to host the next which should have been Jan. but was moved to Feb. due to hunting season. Broward club did not have meetings in Nov. or Dec. so that seems to be the breakdown of communication. It wasn't until several calls to Bruce Ward that details finally began to happen.
4. The communication between FAA and SAO members is a strange case. Chris and Charity (sorry Dakota) are SAO delegates to FAA and are doing a GREAT job but since FAA only has been meeting quarterly verses SAO's 24/7, there is a lot of room for misunderstanding. FAA has a lot of work ahead and as VP, I will do what ever I can to keep airboating in Florida GREAT and ACCESSABLE to EVERYONE.


The famous quote that has been said numerous times on here I'll say it again. " I have seen the enemy and it is us!"

Maybe what we need to focus on is PROPer manners and Southern Hospitality. Lets eat and ride!

Bob
 
Sorry to hear of that experience man, and applaud your diplomatic efforts.
I do agree that we neeed to be carefull when choosing our words on here. I include myself as being one who has had regrets after posting, but not in this particular circumstance.

I sure am sorry to hear that there is any ill will down there, real or imagined. Not good either way.

And your dead on accurate in how easily these things are misunderstood.
Its easy to make a bad first impression, and very difficult to overcome it.

Please invite as many members of the Broward Club to ride with S/A as / if possible. It is my hope that once exposed to us S/A folks, they'll see what were after.

Nothing but goodwill towards everyone. Especially other Airboaters.

Heck, you standing up to be counted as a S/A member?
That's got to be a big positive indicator to them right there.

If I was an attending Broward Club Member, it would be for me.
 
This land is your land,
This land is my land,
From California
To the New York Island,
From the redwood forest,
To the Gulf stream waters,
This land was made for you and me.

As I was walking,
That ribbon of highway,
I saw above me
That endless skyway,
I saw below me
That golden valley.
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled
And I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

The sun comes shining
As I was strolling
The wheat fields waving
And the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me

As I was walkin'
I saw a sign there
And that sign said no trespassin'
But on the other side
It didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

In the squares of the city
In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office
I see my people
And some are grumblin'
And some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.

Nobody living can ever stop me
As I go walking
That freedom highway
Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me

:usa2: :usa2: :usa2: :usa2: :usa2: :usa2: :usa2:
 
I am not sorry about the misunderstanding...I am glad that Randy stood up for this community but I won't apologize for someone misinterpreting a thread and then starting rumors!!

I have a pretty good idea who the "one mentioned by name" is and I think he had valid points. There is an old saying that says Piss poor planning on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on mine. This sort of applies here. If that club offered to host the quarterly meeting in October 05 and then took 2 MONTHS off with no communication for planning, whos fault is it?? Tell me how many successful organizations plan important meetings in this manner??

Irregardless, SA members decided to ride down there, ON PUBLIC LANDS, around the same time. Since details were few and far between some guys stepped up and made some decisions. So what?? I say let them get their feathers ruffled, they have a right to just as much as anybody else. These rides have always been planned as SA member rides, if your not a member and decide to join then great but if not, oh well. This one is no different. It was never meant to be an FAA ride, or a Broward ride, or anything beyond an SA member ride. While trying to accomodate every one is nice, sometimes you can't please everyone.

These are all grown men and women in this club I would imagine. They will get over it. We have just as much right to ride down their as anyone else, just as they have a right to trailer up to Kissimmee and hunt the crap out of Gardner Marsh like some of them do every year.

I am proud to be a member of this group of Yahoos!! Ya'll have fun and raid the heck out them 'Glades!!!!

Thanks for sticking up for us Randy,

Adam
 
hey guys i own a camp in 3a come out have a good time bring plenty of beer an gas usely lot of boats on weekends don't forget flag
 
If that club offered to host the quarterly meeting in October 05 and then took 2 MONTHS off with no communication for planning, whos fault is it?? Tell me how many successful organizations plan important meetings in this manner??
Click to expand...

This was the problem I had as well. I did not understand it the whole point of putting it off but oh well. The thing is planned and it is all over with now.
You are so right BPS, SA was not planning on riding with FAA. Yes some of us will be at the meeting but some of us are meeting with the SA members right after to ride.
If I happened to be the "name" that was called they will quickly learn that I am a very strong willed REDNECK woman and I will say what I feel. Not going to apologize for that because that is who I am. Most of you already know that and those of you that do not will learn.
But I will say it again, no one was pointing out Broward, we were just upset about that planning part and if they would look back and read they would see that.

"YAHOO" I guess I am one too and very proud of it. I am very proud to be a part of this group of "YAHOOS" and I believe them to all be family which is more than I can say for the club that my husband is a member of. I don't feel like a part of the family where I do here. I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF SOUTHERNAIRBOAT.COM and you cannot pay me to hide that fact. I am not embarrassed and will show my stickers proudly on the airboat as well as my car and truck. I don't care. This is my family and like my mother always said, stand up for your family.
That is all I have to say!
 
Dakota,
A couple of weekends ago I thought I heard you yelling YAHOO while we where all riding. Was it because we were all having fun or were you trying to get my attention? Because I resemble that!! :lol:
THANK GOD FOR YAHOOS!!

Bob
 
Well GEEZ WILBUR looks like I mighta gone and done it again. "YAHOO" yep I resemble that remark probably was me. The purpose of the remarks, comments, suggestions, rumors or what ever else you want to call what I said ... was only to say I don't give a flip what the FAA does it has no effect on what I do. I don't care what BROWARD club does it has no effect on me either. I run all over this state most of the time with no group of folks, I always assist anyone I find who needs assistance even if they are a stranger or even if they are stranger than me. I don't belong to any brick and mortar club oh sorry let me explain that one, I don't belong to any club that has a scheduled meeting at a scheduled place. SA is the only airboat club I belong to and will remain that way as long as I can or I am allowed to log in to the site.

I have met people because of SA and I hope I have not permanently offended anyone but if I have oh well life is not built on 100% agreement. I don't carry a grudge I say what I need to say when I need to say it and then I am over it and moving on.

I am going to area 3A and ride on fri and sat and a little on sunday. If I like it I may go back again with or without anyone with me. I am not anti-social and usually make aquaintances every where I go. THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA IS MY BACK YARD and if it is legal to be there and I want to be there I will be there ... period. Last time I checked I didnt have a parole officer that had to give me permission.

I made a decision to camp at holiday park ... I beleive two others will be joining me there. I didnt get upset when everyone else wants to do something different this is a free country. I wanted to move the ride to a different week because of all the stuff going on that weekend when no one else wanted too I didnt get upset.

I did get upset when the person who proposed the idea of us coming down to ride 3A had commitments he had to keep that he had made before we decided to RAID THE GLADES but only because he wasn't gonna be able to join us and that to me was not fair playing. I didnt try to sabotage the ride over it instead I just shut up about it. Now then AIRBOAT4FUN is getting crap and he doesn't deserve it. I salute him for raising his hand for a ptential buttwhippin at his club. I am sorry if our being in the glades is offending his fellow club members but unless they own the gldes and put up a sign I am gonna ride down there, Randy has caught grief from every angle on this ride and that is a shame he didn't deserve it. Heck he isn't even gonna get to ride with us except maybe on sunday.

I hope to see alot of people down there and I hope to have a lot of fun I hope the locals don't get upset but if they do they will need to get over it or else buy all of area 3A oh thats right it already belongs to all of us doesn't it of course some folks have leases on the islands and I will respect their rights to them but they don't own the rest of the place.

CITRUS COUNTY AREA we comin your way soon also so get ready LOL

Lighten up folks it just a bunch of airboaters riding around on the public waters and lands of the state of florida and heck most of us have mufflers even and we usually spend a little money while we are there. I am a fourth generation floridian and I was in the glades the first time a little over 50 years ago and maybe I will be in the glades for another 50 years or so. Like I said FLORIDA IS MY BACKYARD but ya'll can play in it also its ok with me.
 
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