With some efforts going into a 'circuit' for old boats, might it be time to add a boat history section to the site, like the 12s have? It might help encourage people to get involved, either as enthusiasts or grass roots beginners, if the boats each had an entry with info. It would also be waaaay cool to be able to piece together the histories of our boats in one easily navigated place - I'm away to pick up a former winner this week to add to my NSM 1, and I'd like to know more about both! :-) 

I have to say that I think it is a good idea as all that would be needed would be all the boat numbers and then let people self edit as per wikipedia. The N12 one is a good starting point

This is not the first time this has come up.  The 12 site is excellent in this aspect.  So much of the history of individual boats and the class generally will be lost as boats change hands, owners move on and sadly die.
I guess a computer savvy individual just needs to bite the bullet to set it up.  Any takers?

I guess it will have to be set up by the webmaster, but should be easy enough to do a Wiki style thing like Mark suggests. What a terrific asset it would be for the class, would really help market the classic wing concept to both enthusiastic owners and perhaps younger potential owners who don't have the money for a modern boat.

Info here. The site administrator here would need to upload a software package to the main site server, but doesn't look too hard: http://m.wikihow.com/Start-a-Wiki

Any more interest in this? Would surely be a great thing for encouraging the classic wing? 

  this is just the thing the site needs . history on our old merlins

its a great idea, the national 12 one way s a brilliant archive of interest to both potential new owners as well as those who are fascinated by the history of these wonderful creations.

Great idea! And hopefully not too much work.
 
The Firefly one is good but can only be edited by the registrar which makes a lot of work for one person.
 
The N12 one is excellent and it seems to be easy to access for all who are registered. I also appreciate the way people add info from Ebay etc when boats come up for sale (not necessarily theirs). It gives some boats a bit more history and background.
 
 

Andy - have just mailed Graham Camm, N12 webmaster, asking if he could supply contact/details of how the 12 boat database was set up.  Adding to the 12 data base is very easy I posted to it on a number of occasions when I had 12's. 

Thanks Mike; probably best to email it to the webmaster here as I don't have anything to do with that side - just trying to drum up support and interest to help the older boats find new lives. Would be well worth it I think! Now where are Gareth; Dougal and Miles?....

I'm here, and think this would be  a good thing to have.
 

Have just had a look at a couple of entries on the N12 site, looks like something similar would be an excellent innovation if it could added to our site. Can only be of benefit for the welfare of older boats and maybe tempt more owners to join the association ?

Its funny how these things keep cropping up. I recall that this issue was raised in the discussion under the heading of Spare Cash ( do a forum search and you will find it) back in November 2013 where people agreed that it was a great idea! The OK class has a similar data base. Perhaps they can shed some light on theirs operates.

Andy, a brilliant idea. drop me a line if I can help at all. D

I for one don't mind the idea of spending a few hours IN THE WINTER keying data into a website for a batch of boats. I'm sure there will be others???
 
I'd imagine that first the data from a reliable source (yearbook?) needs entering and then, when it goes live, individual owners both past or present can add to the story. 

I've looked at the N12 site before and it has a lot of useful and illuminating information particularly on the one-off and rare designs.  As an owner of one of the more uncommon Merlin designs I would happily fill in the sort of details the N12 site has for my boat and I am sure a lot of other Merlin owners would do the same if we had the database set up for us to upload the information.  I am always keen not to reinvent the wheel so initially finding out how the N12's have sorted out theirs would be a good 1st step.
 
Andrew, Heaven Sent.