Hotboat of the month - keep it, or kick it to the curb?

[HB Vic]

I'll be honest, I want to kick it to the curb. Why you ask? because it really is becoming a problem. Why do you ask? lol, because people are offended when I ask them why do they have multiple accounts registered under a single IP address. Now, before you instantly think "cheater", think again. Many times office buildings have static IP addresses. So you and everyone on your floor technically fall under the same cyberworld address. From the outside world, no one can tell if its you or your co-worker who is logged in to the free porn site. And guess what, neither can we. One of the things we failed to mention when we started the contest was, our motivation for the contest. I'm sure everyone assumed WMC and Wendi just love digging in to their piggy bank to buy those bad ass coolers every month and just give them away. Well that's not exactly 100% true. The true motivation is we do the contest to bring people to the site. To get them motivated to hopefully start a thread, and to continue posting, just like every other boating site. So when I'm told I "I got my friends, relatives, and co-workers to vote for me", well that isn't really what we want. Sure it'll get you a free cooler, but what does it do for us?? Not much really. If they are gonna vote for you, we want them to be active on the site. I'm not talking cyberstalker active, but I certainly don't want them making one or two posts then disappearing forever. So.....you tell me, fair? or not fair? Keep the contest?? or kick it to the curb??

[Wendi]

We really want everyone's feedback on this. I like Hotboat of the Month. And I think it is good to get family and friends to vote, But we really want them to stay and enjoy the site like we all do. I can see getting a few people to help out that probably will never come back. But seriously we have 89 users under 1 IP address where are those users today? I think we need to re-vamp Hotboat of the Month nonetheless. Maybe not having this be a member vote but having a panel of 3-4 judges that are boating enthusiasts that would enjoy reading about your boat, hearing the back story, how long you've owned the boat, what upgrades you've done, etc. and looking at all the different pictures you have submitted (exterior, interior, engine, drive, etc). We want you to submit your story and your Hotboat!! This goes out to all boats out there. I like seeing the winners and them enjoying their custom made cooler. But if it is going to be abused and you plan to cheat then this contest is not for you. I vote KEEP IT!!

[GotHalos]

I say you change it to members must have 100+ min. posts before they can vote.

[Menace Marine]

Keep it. It's cool to see the boats and the people that win are proud of that. If its a cost issue try getting someone to sponsor the prize for the winner.

[28eliminator]

I say you change it to members must have 100+ min. posts before they can vote.

^^^^^ this^^^^^

[Mrs.K034]

I say you change it to members must have 100+ min. posts before they can vote.

I agree 100% with you on this!! Or set minimum per month. Either way, great solution.

[454 blue boat]

I say you change it to members must have 100+ min. posts before they can vote.

Im not sure this is all cool either I'm a new member here Im on all the other boards that I can find And have lots of posts and pics of things I do and share everything I do so if you did that I wouldn't of been able to voted on the Aug. one that I did do just saying . Is it set up for only members right now that can vote and not a open deal ???

[Wendi]

Keep it. It's cool to see the boats and the people that win are proud of that. If its a cost issue try getting someone to sponsor the prize for the winner.

No cost factor at all we enjoy doing this and seeing the members that have won showing off their cooler! The past few months we've noticed multiple members under one IP address and none of those members have ever come back to the site. We want this to bring more members that want to participate and enjoy the site like we do. I think 100 plus posts is a bit much. But please continue with your feedback we really appreciate it!!

[Wendi]

Im not sure this is all cool either I'm a new member here Im on all the other boards that I can find And have lots of posts and pics of things I do and share everything I do so if you did that I wouldn't of been able to voted on the Aug. one that I did do just saying . Is it set up for only members right now that can vote and not a open deal ???

Right now it is an open deal and each voter has to have minimum two
Posts in order to participate.

[SBS933]

I like it, Crap I gotta post more so I don't get boned out of the voting. I say keep it and it's a good idea to devert fraud voting. FK it's just a contest.

[Beautiful Noise]

It's a cool deal seeing the other members boats ......

[K-034]

I say you change it to members must have 100+ min. posts before they can vote.

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

[obnoxious001]

No cost factor at all we enjoy doing this and seeing the members that have won showing off their cooler! The past few months we've noticed multiple members under one IP address and none of those members have ever come back to the site. We want this to bring more members that want to participate and enjoy the site like we do. I think 100 plus posts is a bit much. But please continue with your feedback we really appreciate it!!

Ask for that cooler back,, and figure how to limit voting to one vote per IP address.

It's a cool idea, unfortunately some or many may be winning by getting their friends' votes(I have seen threads on other sites asking for help). Looks like some pretty cool boats are getting very small numbers of votes.

[HB Vic]

The issue with limiting IP addresses is an issue. Static IP's are everywhere. Even your home can have routers with multiple computers and one IP. That means we would limit membership to one person per household or one person per office building. I do not want to do that. I have no problem with recruiting people to join the site and vote for your boat. The problem is that really isn't what we intended on doing. Sure we want you to win, but we also want to win. We win by bringing in members who sign up, start new threads or post to existing threads and stay involved. Simply signing up to vote then falling off the planet is not a win for us. I'm still leaning toward raising the minimum post count. That Gothalos had a great idea, a little extreme as we're still a new site, but in the future 100 post minimum is absolutely not out of the question.

[ChumpChange]

The issue with limiting IP addresses is an issue. Static IP's are everywhere. Even your home can have routers with multiple computers and one IP.

Saving this post for future reference. :)

[HB Vic]

Saving this post for future reference. :)

lol, yeah I know.

[Brian]

Keep it for a while. Your still new. Kill it in 6 months if it's still doing no good.

[Stainless]

Personally I like the idea of "Hotboat of the Month". Most of the boats are highly customized and display a serious pride of ownership much like a classic car does. It looks as though it may be drawing new members in since HB is getting pretty good traction recently. That said, the idea GH put out should keep it fair and square. :)

edit, 100 post may be too high.

[Mitch]

I vote to kick it to the curb now. That way the original handfull of coolers will be worth top dollar on E-Bay...... :)

[inkedalot]

I say a little reform and keep it. It brought me to the site to vote and now I check it everyday for my daily dose of thumper talk craigslist and now hot boat. Just my two cents I say a panel of 10 of the members with most posts that own a boat but each judge must own a boat and each one has a different style boat maybe a day cruiser one a flat one a runner one hydro one racer outboard etc to make it fair.

[78Southwind]

Some sites that I am a member of require 10 posts before you can Private Message so that sounds like a good number to me to vote. It would be cool if you guys could come up with a readers ride type of deal or an article on the boat after they win.

[rschap1]

Maybe turn it into a "readers ride" thread rather than a contest.
Hand out some prizes and goodies if you or a bunch of members think the ride is worthy.
It is nice that you democracy is allowed to rule, but if it turns into a headache...
or select a comittee to elect the winner each month and everyone can accept that personal bias is included.

[Wendi]

New entry rules and voting rules will be posted shortly. We are revamping.

[GotHalos]

Some sites that I am a member of require 10 posts before you can Private Message so that sounds like a good number to me to vote. It would be cool if you guys could come up with a readers ride type of deal or an article on the boat after they win.

Articles on past HBOTM winners can be found here:

http://www.hotboat.com/frm/articles.php?c=109

[78Southwind]

Articles on past HBOTM winners can be found here:

http://www.hotboat.com/frm/articles.php?c=109

I could be wrong but If I remember right I think I only read four articles. What I was getting at is that all of the winners should have articles or at least a readers ride type deal.

[niceguyeddie]

I vote for Pedro.

15778

[Unforgiven]

I say keep it up the voters have to up their post count..I have co-workers who joined but only lurk..but they voted...make it like a min 25 posts before you can vote.....BTW WE LOVE OUR COOLER

[Wendi]

I could be wrong but If I remember right I think I only read four articles. What I was getting at is that all of the winners should have articles or at least a readers ride type deal.

Yes your right we will do readers rides on all winners we have done a few but no all.

[riverrunner1984]

Is there a way to see users activity? Maybe see if they have been active within a week or so prior to voting, then they can cast a vote. This would limit the people just signing up and voting??? Also gets away from the min. post issue. I know I was lurking for a bit before actually posting anything....

[Beautiful Noise]

I'm more of a lurker I enjoy this site and seeing other people's boats and reading the different post and throwing out a comment now and then.......This is just Me so more than likely I'll never have a high post count.......Besides I just have a old boat and a pontoon :biggrin:

[WMC]

I'm more of a lurker I enjoy this site and seeing other people's boats and reading the different post and throwing out a comment now and then.......This is just Me so more than likely I'll never have a high post count.......Besides I just have a old boat and a pontoon :biggrin:

If we do 25 post count your almost there. :happy:

[Beautiful Noise]

If we do 25 post count your almost there. :happy:

Now your putting the pressure on Me:thumb:

[Wendi]

Now your putting the pressure on Me:thumb:

You are almost there. I bet by the time we have to vote again you will have 35 :partytime:

[Beautiful Noise]

You are almost there. I bet by the time we have to vote again you will have 35 :partytime:
If I rush it I might be called a post whore BUT I guess I've been called worst:wink_002:

[WESTERNAERO]

It will take me a year to get 25 posts, but I did buy a HotBoat hat at Long Beach, do I get to vote?

[GRADS]

Still scratching my head as to why mine hasn't won yet?:headscratch: It's obviously a rigged competition so I say curb it. ;)

Listen how this bad boy sounds...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1udj5XRGrCE

15835

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[Beautiful Noise]

No short cuts ......

[Wendi]

It will take me a year to get 25 posts, but I did buy a HotBoat hat at Long Beach, do I get to vote? Welcome to www.hotboat.com (http://www.hotboat.com). 24 more and you can vote :action-smiley-069: Has the hat doing?? I bet you look great in it.

[Wendi]

Still scratching my head as to why mine hasn't won yet?:headscratch: It's obviously a rigged competition so I say curb it. ;)

http://www.hotboat.com/frm/showthread.php?33-November-2012-Hotboat-of-the-month&p=254&viewfull=1#post254 Maybe we can agree to disagree. You may think it's a HOTBOAT, but maybe others don't/didn't. LOL

[WESTERNAERO]

Lost it in the rain at Parker last weekend, Kidding. Post#2 This is going to take a while.

[Wendi]

Lost it in the rain at Parker last weekend, Kidding. Post#2 This is going to take a while. I'll just quote you on things and ask questions so you can get to 25 faster!!! I was in Parker too, heading out again this weekend.