A relative newbie, I've been following things and making my own postings for, I think, about 6 weeks now.
I wonder if I might have the timerity to make a few observations and suggestions?

1. Firstly, I think the entire thing is excellent. The capacity to exchange information 'from the horse's mouth' between willing participants is just so valuable. Even when what is said is naive (e.g y.truly) or sarcastic or a bit mysteriously cliquey . . . And even though there are a few regulars who seem to have time to spare to post relentlessly.

But, I've also noticed that some postings are not where they 'should' be, and some postings are repeated across all 'boards' in the hope of eliciting a (useful) reply. This is both irritating and shews the 'system' as designed isn't quite working.
So,

2. Make it clear what each 'board' is for - at the moment this is not clear, even though the old lags obviously 'know' that Scuttlebutt is for opinion, not nuts bolts and spanners. State this somewhere/everywhere, maybe change the colour scheme, typography - subtly, please - to give a sense of 'this is where the technical discussion is' or 'this is where we voice concern, opinion, prejudice, etc' etc.

3. And of course, I fully appreciate that there is no hard and fast boundary, or precise definition between the boards. But a few 'signposts' might help us all, and most of all help promote useful - and entertaining - discussions and communications.

3. Make the navigation to, and between, boards clearer and easier. Better than the drop down box at the foot of the 'page', or going to the Main Index and then jumping in from there. Make the 'boards' like menu items at the top of the page - stronger and clearer.

4. These suggestions might help . . .
a) Cruising World getting very little action at all.
b) There being too little differentiation between Scuttlebutt and Practical Boating
c) This 'website/newsgroup' forum being little used, but plenty of comment about the YBW thing posted elsewhere
d) Complaints of 'boring' posts in Scuttlebutt - probably true, but also a little unfair on the 'boring' posters.
e) Some posts receiving no reply at all.
f) An obvious split between the old lags who have been there (including on this website) for ever, done everything, know everything, know everybody, have salt water in their veins, etc. And those they look with scorn upon - the novices.
Some of who it must be said appear to be wet behind the ears and just plain pig ignorant to an alarming and potentially unsafe degree.

5. Can I also say that I found the discussion (on the Motor Boating forum) about how to 'get the wife on board' immature, patronising, sexist and disappointing, and full of the kind of cheap remarks (jokes???) that I thought went out with Ted Ray and Charlie Chester. My sympathies lie with the poor wives and children of these dinosaurs - surely sailing or boating teaches co-operation, tolerance and chivalry?
Sorry, I do realise that's rather po-faced.