The Lightning Class webpage has a link to a new Web 2.0 mashup called Frappr – Web 2.0speak for “Friend Mapper”.
Basically, what you do is put your location (prefered address) into the system, and then your interests, and up pops one of those Google Map pin-points featuring you. I’ll bet the next thing someone will do is make this GPS enabled so everyone will know where you are are 24/7 – wait – the NSA already does track you via your cell phone. I digress….back to our regulary scheduled programming.
The Lightning Class is on to something here – this is a cool tool. I can see how classes all over the world (presuming this has global capabilities) can use this. We all know where the class regulars live – but what about the people who we see only occassionally? Go to a regatta – meet someone who only sails once or twice a summer – and get them into this database. It will be one more way to help keep track of boats, members, and prospective members.
I could see setting up a section devoted only to boats in a class – not sailors – just boats. Everyone probably knows where some boat sits that isn’t sailed very often, isn’t part of the class, and/or the records of it are so old they aren’t valid any longer. Clearly there is a trend in the US towards sailing alot of old traditional boats - I saw that Jud Smith is sailing a Rhodes 19. How many old Rhodes 19’s are there that someone would love to buy for a couple of bucks, put it back together, and go race Jud? Beats spending $50,000 (or whatever) to go race him in an Etchells. Knowing where all these types of old boats are can only help older classes revive, it not even become very alive again.
Frappr seems to have alot of emphasis on Myspace - and while Myspace isn’t exactly a place for me and my friends, my friends kids seem to hang out there alot. So, for classes that deal with youth/young adult sailing, Frappr is also something that can help them sustain growth.
Check out the Frappr Lightning site here - and if you aren’t a Lightning sailor – create a Frappr for your class.
September 18, 2006 at 3:52 pm
ISantana 22s on SF Bay are a good example of an inexpensive older one deisign. Less than $5,000 will get you a good boat, another couple of thou for a suite of class sails, and you’re on your way to good racing and good friends. Heck of a lot of fun in club beer cans as well as YEA racing. There are many other similar older classes out there sitting in slips or on trailers waiting for a fun time. Pat Broderick, ODCA President, YRA of SF Bay