Saying goodbye

[Administrator]

Some sixteen years after conceiving and managing the forum on a daily basis, I am stepping away from responsibility for it, A member of the MMI family will hopefully inform you soon as to whether and how the forum will be supported in the future.

The forum began as an experiment. Little did we know how much knowledge and experience there was out there, waiting to be tapped and shared. One hundred and twenty thousand posts later (and I have read every single one), we have learned to be humble, I hope.

Along the way, I have enjoyed pizza with forum members, steamed crabs, and broken bread at our own table with a forum member tied up at our dock, headed one way or the other, I forget which. I have posted a bunch of “Thanks!” ratings and received fewer, which I consider appropriate. I have received almost 500 PM’s and sent a similar number. I know many forum members by their nicknames, and I get a kick out of that. I know the weather in Newfoundland or Alaska. Or maybe France or Hawaii. What’s better than that?

Anyway, it’s been a blessing.

Keep your pointy end in front, and stay in touch with me at williambickley@gmail.com, if you wish,

Bill

[Dave Neptune]

Sad and Thanx

Bill, WOW to say the least. You have been a tremendous asset to me and most likely any who frequented this forum. This forum is the best run I have encountered and makes any other pale with envy.

Bill you are the best. I wish you well in whatever is in your future.

Dave Neptune

[Peter]

What Dave said. I read this forum daily and have learned so much. And it is by far the most civil place on the internet. Robust discussion can be had here with no fear of it getting ugly. No doubt that is largely due to you Bill so THANKS.

As to why the future, please sort out how to make it continue. I am so hooked on this forum/engine it makes me laugh. I spend way more time here than all other sailing forums combined! And yet the best part of sailing is no engine noise. Although I do love it when the A4 fires up!


Thank you very sincerely Bill for creating this forum and making it what it is!

Sincerely

Peter

[edwardc]

Say it ain't so! I echo Peter's sentiment that this is by far the most civil place on the internet. Part of my daily routine in the morning.

I have tried, and failed, to run a successful forum, so I have the greatest respect for the amount of work that goes into it!

We will miss you Bill!

[roadnsky]

Nooooooooooo!!!!

Bill... you are certainly the soul and heartbeat of this forum and have been THE main reason for why this is such a great place for us all to meet up and discuss without any fear of getting "Flamed"!

I know that time marches on regardless of our whims and wishes and our life's paths cross and re-cross with destiny.
Hopefully, we will cross wakes or find ourselves in the same port once again in the future.

You are appreciated and will certainly be missed here.
Happy Trails!

”Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment”

[Sam]

Bill, when I started on the forum I did not know what I did not know. I've had my A4 for 44yrs and previously relied on a little experimentation and trial and error and some drive way mechanic experiences from my half century ago teenage years. Now I am the A4 go to guy at our Chicago harbor and feel good about being able to save friends sailing weekend because they didn't have spark, overheats or fuel pressure etc which can usually be resolved in only about 30 min. of effort. I didn't harbor my boat this season due to covid issues but am constantly being asked to join in on other boats. The confidence and peace of mind I have sailing a 54yr old Morgan 34
all over Lake Michigan starting the engine and being able to help I owe all to this forum and to its many impressive contributors.

I know all things, especially good things, must end but I hope this forum and your legacy continues. Sincere thank you for your work and efforts. Sam

[romantic comedy]

Thanks a lot Bill. This forum has been a great place. Great job!

I wish you the best!

[tenders]

Thank you, Bill. I have said for years that this forum is the most valuable thing I've used on the entire internet, and it was your good stewardship that made it possible.

[Al Schober]

Bill,
Thanks for all your efforts. Fair winds and following seas in your future.
Al Schober

[JOHN COOKSON]

A member of the MMI family will hopefully inform you soon as to whether and how the forum will be supported in the future.
Bill

You're making me nervous here. Is there a chance MMI will no longer support the forum?
Don?

ex TRUE GRIT

[rkohl44]

Bill: My A-4 would not be running without this forum. Thank you one gazillion times with some MMO sprinkled on top.

[Administrator]

You're making me nervous here. Is there a chance MMI will no longer support the forum?
Don?

ex TRUE GRIT

Hi, John:

As far as I know, they haven't made a decision yet.

Bill

[joe_db]

Some sixteen years after conceiving and managing the forum on a daily basis, I am stepping away from responsibility for it, A member of the MMI family will hopefully inform you soon as to whether and how the forum will be supported in the future.

The forum began as an experiment. Little did we know how much knowledge and experience there was out there, waiting to be tapped and shared. One hundred and twenty thousand posts later (and I have read every single one), we have learned to be humble, I hope.

Along the way, I have enjoyed pizza with forum members, steamed crabs, and broken bread at our own table with a forum member tied up at our dock, headed one way or the other, I forget which. I have posted a bunch of “Thanks!” ratings and received fewer, which I consider appropriate. I have received almost 500 PM’s and sent a similar number. I know many forum members by their nicknames, and I get a kick out of that. I know the weather in Newfoundland or Alaska. Or maybe France or Hawaii. What’s better than that?

Anyway, it’s been a blessing.

Keep your pointy end in front, and stay in touch with me at williambickley@gmail.com, if you wish,

Bill

You will be missed!

[ndutton]

I cannot improve on the comments already posted. Thank you Bill.

[joe_db]

Hi, John:

As far as I know, they haven't made a decision yet.

Bill

Is there any issue with Moyer themselves? If they get out of the business it will be a dark day for A4 owners
I am not sure how many of you were around in the dark days between the end of A4 production and the start of internet support, but it was not a good time to own an A4 powered boat.
Local mechanics more or less universally decided "buy a new diesel" was the only solution they were offering and one was left to make do as best as you could.