Hi Neal,
It's an interesting idea, but I do see the dilemma. I have a similar one. I was contacted by a local rigger about bringing them into a CEOA meeting for rigging inspections, but I had two major problems. 1) the rigger had done work for me, and botched it, and I had to fight them tooth and nail to make it right (they didn't make the connection between the guy who walked through their door and the guy listed on the CEOA website for contact info when they sent me the email blindly), and 2) I didn't want to open the organization (as it were) to someone just doing a marketing pitch trying to sell business.
Now, all that said, I've actually thought it would be pretty cool to hold a rigging seminar for our Chesapeake based Ericson owners, and I think this should be a topic at our meeting at the BoatYard Bar and Grill (for those joining this, please see posting in Mid-Atlantic section for meeting details) during the Annapolis Sailboat Show. I do have a rigger in mind, but want to, like you, see what the basic reaction to all this is.
I know I didn't answer your question, but maybe it helps you size it all up. I can see a real value to anyone, boat owner, upgrader, or new owner, in having someone on the broker side go through how it works, best strategies to use when making offers, how to evaluate a boat, not be blinded by excitement but make cold hard accounting decisions etc So, does this mean "go for it"? It certainly could be the basis of a CEOA event, if you will.
-David
Independence 31
Emerald
