What are your thoughts?

I use three sailing websites on a regular basis, and this one is, by a country mile, the easiest to use, and the best laid out.

The second realistic and accurate post by Woozle in as many days! Many of the fglitzy web sites (No names no BA.com!) one uses are too clever by half and as a consequence very slow.

I also check a number of different sailing web sites and the Merlin site is the best by the proverbial mile. Can "In my opinion " do any better?

The CVRDA site allows very easy posting of photos so queries can be answered fast.  I agree the MROA site has been consistently well maintained and its popularity is testament to that.  We haven't had the problems that other some sites seem to have had with posting of undesirable material either (but neither have the cvrda).

You Know what they say !! 

If you want it doing Better, then I'm shure mag's will let you have the Job.

Just a thought but I reckon 'just an opinion.' is in fact none other than our mags trying to establish what we all think of his website, it's the only logical explanation I can come to, surely nobody is daft enough to slate the lads achievements.

And his "achievement" is enormous!

I agree: I also use a handful of other class websites and this one is by far the best. The discussion forum has about 10 active topics daily which is proof enough in it's own right: I don't see anywhere near this kind of traffic elsewhere.

Perhaps Mags could make the YandY website postings change colour when you have read them like this one does and like Sail-World.

I agree with all of the above

It could do with some updating - the HTML is not the finest

BUT

You are all correct that it is still way better than most other sites

It ain't all that broke but as all our winners know you do need to keep bimbling to keep winning.

Maybe some judicious bimbling is in order.

I like it. I am a bit of a technofobe and so the simple layout and content is great. Keep it up Mags!!!

it's clean, it's tidy, it works, everything is here. If only all sites were like this.

Oh, you make me blush with all these kind words! Pity the initial post has annoyed me somewhat....

Yes the website has not changed its look in 4 years, is very plain and simple, and it uses HTML tables not CSS - but I feel the focus is on up-to-date and useful information, tailored mostly towards those who do not race every week. I think it still achieves those aims, though with my current job being more demanding than my last one, I have less spare time to devote each week.

If you want to see something new on the site, tell me specifically what it is. I'll probably be keen to do it! I don't think I need to be overly bothered about a new look just yet though....?

P.S. You are welcome to email me when I forget to update the photos on the homepage....like now!

The look of the website is fine - there are always potential tweaks, but we're all busy people.

The forae (should that be forums?) are the real jewel in the crown though, and I'm sure that most other classes would give their carbon spars for such active and lively discussion.

content is king and the Merlin website has it in spades. The site has a completely original feel - I like it and the forum is a refreshingly different format (the volume of traffic helps as well). There is even more rubbish talked about website design than there is racing dinghys.

I like the Merlin site so much it's my homepage on my home desktop!

This website is a brilliant example of something that does a job very, very well. The forums are active and informative and the other areas of the site serve their purpose extremely effectively, too. There are times when the forums seem to buzz with activity and much of what's posted is interesting. 

In fact, the only thing that ever niggles me about the site is that anonymous postings are used by those not willing to put a name to their words...

Who exactly is bothered what the HTML looks like? Or whether Mags is using CSS? If you don't need them why use them.

Not only do I agree with every posative point made on this subject, but have other knowledge that Mags is an excellent Web Designer and developer. It'd easily the best Web Site I use in response times, ease of navigation,the diligence of the Web Master etc., etc,. etc.
I am glad he seems to like Y&Y too because it was me suggested he went for the job. He's one of the good guys. a way has to be found to get him sailing more! The Merlin class and wider world of sailing are so lucky to have him, he's a nice man too!
Just one wee thing Mags could us practising slysdexics have a psell chequer? Some might improve with a syntax checker too.

I'll add a sanity-checker too, to stop you all making daft comments...

I was under the impression when I met him first that Mag's name was because he was responsible for the magazine too!!!!

Who cares about the html coding?  Only the techies!  It's the look and feel of the site which counts and Mags wins hands down on this.  He also has some cunning bits of code which he uses which you will not find on other sites.

Keep it up Mags and remember the KISS slogan.

as a purchaser of my own business website, Committee member of a well known professional body's and observer of their site I can assure you that what Mags achieves is magical!!