Hi All, I'm a long time lurker on the list. I'm between boats at the moment, but an M 15 will be mine one day before too long. I belong to some internet groups that are as passionate about their interests as the Montgomery group. These groups have often generated enough interest to cause aftermarket products to be created for the particular model or machine. Some large corporations have taken note of the desire in these groups and actually asked for the opinion of these consumers before launching a new model. Internet groups are powerful if they display their pride. In a sense they (I) provide advertising for the object of devotion by wearing t-shirts or a cap that proclaims, "I am proud of my purchase". They are proud to have purchased a product that brings them pleasure and wear shirts and jackets that proclaim their devotion. Some have tattoos to show their loyalty to a particular product and the life style that goes with it. Now that is a pretty permanent way to declare to the world that you think something is great. Point being, if you like something and want to say to everyone that you enjoy sailing and Montgomery boats, then do so. I'd be happy to wear a shirt with a Monty on it and the MSOG/Montgomery Boats web addresses and I don't even have one (yet). I hope the owners group and the builder prosper. The more M boats out there being sailed the better. OK, back to lurking again. Sean, Press on with pride. You are doing a hell of a good job. Smitty Windsurfers Do It Standing Up!! ----- Original Message ----- From: <Nebwest2@aol.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 5:12 PM Subject: M_Boats: Montgomery T-shirts
Hey gang, just want to clarify a couple of things;
1. Bob Eeg did not come to me and ask me to make a t-shirt advertising for him. Quite the contrary, I went to Bob Eeg and asked that if I made a T-shirt if I could place the Montgomery name and logo on them. I was pleased when he said yes I could, and have no problem with displaying a small web address for him on the back. He could have just as easily said "NO". End of story. As far as needing any advertising that the few shirts we might make could provide...well, let's not kid ourselves. Bob is backlogged on boat orders. I guess if wearing a shirt with Montgomery Boats web address rubs you the wrong way then you always have the option to make your own shirt without it, or simply not have a Montgomery sailboat shirt. There's nothing wrong with either of those two options.
2. Apparently yesterday when I was on duty there was a post from Jerry Montgomery himself indicating that he retains rights to the Montgomery name. I was remiss in not contacting him, in addition to Bob, and appologized to him for the oversight in an email sent this morning. I am waiting for a reply from him before moving ahead any further with the t-shirts. Oddly enough, the post was emailed to me by a fellow lister, but I cannot find the post on the MSOG site now.
3. The post where I indicated I was looking for input on the shirt indicated that the only part I was looking for input on is whether or not to include the name of the MSOG on the pocket emblem. I'm not sure who the orignal creator of the MSOG is(was) so I'm not really sure who to ask. If I go ahead with the shirts and there is no clear answer I'll probably leave the MSOG reference off of the shirt to avoid any problems. That would be too bad because it would be neat to indicate that you belong to the group.
4. Long story, short. I thought it would be neat to make a shirt. Some other folks indicated the same thing. So a few of us got together and have taken the project on. My personal feeling is it is a shame that what seems like it should be such a simple thing to bring enjoyment to anyone who wants to participate in it, seems to have irritated a number of folks. If it's not your thing, no problem. No harm, no foul. A couple of posts indicate some iritation at the thought of Bob Eeg "getting something for nothing". I guess all I can say to that is I don't understand why that would be a problem for anyone other then possibly myself who was going to put the whole thing together, including the $, or David Wood who has put all the effort into the creating the artwork. I will only speak for myself and say if I had a problem with it I wouldn't do it and I appreciated Bob giving me the opportunity to do it.
I hope we can still pull this off. Either way, what it is really all about is friendship through sailing. I really enjoy interacting with everyone on this site and hope to for a long time to come, regardless of the stupid shirt!
Let me see what Jerry's feelings are about the shirt thing and then we'll see if we continue. Thanks to all those that emailed their comments.
Sean _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats