What makes a "good" trip report?

[Buoyant1]

I usually write them for my local dive group, and the majority of them deal with my shortcomings and how I'm working towards perfection in a humorous sort of way, yet they are informative and a learning experience. The site itself can get a bit boring, but I try to make it fun!

This past summer dealt mostly with my "wrangling" of my new dry suit. A LOT of them were humorous!

My trip reports usually have a good review of the dive operator, as well as the site I'm diving.

 

[highdesert]

I think it's unreasonable to assume that any two divers who have visited the same venue are going to submit the same type report, in the same style. I would go so far as to say that I would object to any correct "form" in which a trip report should be submitted ... not that I am suspecting there is any move to do so. If I am contemplating a destination, I'll do a search in the appropriate forum, read all of the reports, then throw them up in the air, stir them around, and arrive at an opinion that works for me. It's the differences in opinion and presentation that enrich the total body of the reports.

Beyond that, the PM feature is invaluable. Most Board members are happy, even flattered, to share their personal opinions beyond what they may have put into a report. We cannot expect volumes about every destination from every trip report writer. I am in the process of planning a trip right now, and after a thorough online search of sites regarding a particular boat, I had no definitive information until I PM'ed someone who had been aboard.

My only wish regarding trip reports is ... more! Don't be bashful about the form, and the more you write, the better.

 

[caymaniac]

I like the trip reports a lot. Reading the trip reports to areas you are planning to go or even maybe go to, is what is part of the pre-trip planning.
I always want at least 3 photos or a video but not twenty photos unless there's a link. I like the reports on operators, a good example is if they continually bothered the divers about: tipping, about where they were in the water column, about their bouancy as well as other bad habits they have.
If SB advises that an op is good, I go with it and will dive with that op. Almost always the reports are correct, sometimes there has been a contraversy between the op and the customer, I like to weigh those comments.
I look forward to be able to give a trip report as I only go on one and at the most two trips per year, which makes the reports so much more valuable than if I did a trip every 2 months. Let's face it, you are shelling out good money for a short dream adventure that will last 5 to 10 days and you want your moneis worth.

 

[MichiganScott]

Never?

Wellll, maybe it's just me, but I do like to hear myself talk

 

[TSandM]

When I've researched places, I looked around at who had been there and tried to pick someone whose diving style was similar to mine, and then I've written to them. It has worked out EXTREMELY well.