Welcome to the Metal Boat Society! Comprised currently of over 500 members worldwide, drawn from some 24 countries, we share interests in the design, construction, maintenance and repair/restoration of metal boats, and cruising and other related things.

The society is operated entirely by unpaid member volunteers, supported by one part time paid staff person in our Vancouver, Washington membership office. A president, vice president, treasurer, and an executive board manage the affairs of the society. Any member, any place, is eligible to serve in any of these capacities. Members beyond the shores of the U.S. home base of the society are especially encouraged to participate in society management, as physical presence at meetings is not required—in fact, physical meetings are never held, as all business of the society, including elections of officers and directors, is carried out virtually. Elections are held online with voting done electronically over the Internet, and Board meetings are held likewise. The Board "meets" for discussion of topics and issues online at a private area of the Metal Boat Forum. All that is required to participate is a computer and a connection to the Internet ... and the willingness to contribute some time and effort and, of course, your opinions and ideas.

The society publishes the Metal Boat Quarterly, or the MBQ, containing, as one member remarked, "an education on metal boats in every issue." The Quarterly is the flagship publication of the society, and is now available in either a print version or online in PDF format. Both versions are identical with regards to content. The PDF version is available to all members. Members opting for online-only "delivery" (in lieu of mailed copies) are eligible for a special virtual flat-rate membership, free of postal surcharges.

The online Metal Boat Forum is accessible either through the website or by logging in directly to the forum pages. It provides an extensive knowledge base in the over 10,000 recorded posts and also acts as a medium for discussion and information exchange.

The newest addition to the society's online presence is the online Ship's Store, which serves as both a place to post dues and renewal payments and to purchase items like MBQ back issues, books and logowear.

Every summer the society hosts the Metal Boat Festival – details of this year's coming event are posted at the website and announced in the MBQ.

A Word about Membership Costs

No one, of course, desires to waste money. People want good value for what they invest. As you wrestle with the issue of investing $35 or so to support M.B.S., one member suggests you consider this: The dues amount is more or less equal to the price of a how-to book! That's one book! Given that membership includes a subscription to the Metal Boat Quarterly, the only magazine of its kind, and full access to the over 10,000 posts and articles in the Metal Boat Forum and weighed against the cost of a properly constructed vessel, that initial investment pales in significance, and would seem rather a no-brainer.

In fact, we encourage you to check it out on us, and make this limited offer: Any new member who decides, for whatever reason, that paid membership in M.B.S. is not what it's cracked up to be, simply drop an email to the membership office and your dues will be refunded in full. No questions asked, although we would appreciate any feedback you might care to provide. Just let us know within 30 days of signing up, and we'll either credit your charge card or mail a check, whichever is appropriate.

Read on for more information about membership options:

Virtual Flat-rate Annual Membership – Worldwide

The virtual flat-rate membership includes online delivery of the Metal Boat Quarterly by download from the MBS website and full Metal Boat Forum access. It does not include postal delivery of the print edition of the MBQ. The annual dues amount is just $35 USD.

The online version of the Metal Boat Quarterly is the exact same version as is printed and mailed to those electing that option. It is available in a PDF version online from a special page at the Forum. The file size for the current issue is approx. 2MB, so even mobile connections should be able to handle it.

Individual / Family Annual Membership – U.S.A.

Individual U.S.A. membership includes postal delivery of the print edition of the Metal Boat Quarterly to addresses in the U.S., its territories and A.P.O. boxes, and full Metal Boat Forum access. Complimentary electronic delivery of the MBQ is also available from the website. The annual dues amount is just $35 USD.

Individual / Family Annual Membership – Canada

Individual Canadian membership includes 1st class postal delivery of the print edition of the Metal Boat Quarterly to addresses in Canada and full Metal Boat Forum access. Complimentary electronic delivery of the MBQ is also available from the website. The annual dues amount is just $40 USD.

(Note that the additional $5 is not a currency differential, but simply a postal surcharge to cover the additional cost of mailing through the Canadian postal system.)

Individual / Family Annual Membership – Worldwide

Individual worldwide membership includes 1st class postal delivery of the print edition of the Metal Boat Quarterly to addresses worldwide and full Metal Boat Forum access. Complimentary electronic delivery of the MBQ is also available from the website. The annual dues amount is $55 USD.

Commercial Membership

Commercial members of the society provide much-needed financial support and are very much appreciated. In return the society provides a limited amount of marketing support. Commercial members regularly contribute to the Design Review and other sections of the Metal Boat Quarterly and participate on a panel of experts during Q&A sessions at the annual Metal Boat Festival. Several commercial members also help with moderating topics at the Metal Boat Forum and serve as advisors to the MBS Executive Board.

Commercial annual membership includes postal delivery of the print edition of the Metal Boat Quarterly worldwide, a feature article about your business in the MBQ upon sign-up, a business-card-size ad in every MBQ issue, with space for display ads available at reduced cost, free display space at the annual Metal Boat Festival, a free listing in the online resources directory at the MBS website and, of course, full Metal Boat Forum access. Complimentary electronic delivery of the MBQ is also available from the website. The annual dues amount is $195 USD.

To Join MBS!

Online Ship's Store:

To join the Metal Boat Society or to renew an existing membership, visit the online Ship's Store. There you can select a membership category and post payment online at a secure area of the website.

By phone, fax or mail:

If you prefer not to send information over the Internet you can print an application form here and mail or fax to the membership office. Please do NOT send financial information by email – either fax, phone, mail or use the secure area at the online ship's store.
 

E-mail:

Metal Boat Society | P. O. Box 61856 | Vancouver, WA 98666 U.S.A.
Phone: 360-695-4100 | Fax: 360-993-1600

© 2002–2008 Metal Boat Society, Inc.

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