Boring!

K

Kurrawong_Kid

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 Sep 2001
Messages
1,739
Visit site
Just had my YM. Test on Elan 310. Read about that boat 2 weeks ago in PBO. Thread on PBO forum just as interesting as articles. I've decided to cancel my subscription to both and buy at Smiths after a scan read to get better value for money!
 
Kurrawong_Kid said:
Just had my YM. Test on Elan 310. Read about that boat 2 weeks ago in PBO. Thread on PBO forum just as interesting as articles. I've decided to cancel my subscription to both and buy at Smiths after a scan read to get better value for money!
Click to expand...
Put a subscription on your Christmas list then you won't have to suffer 10 minutes of do-I, don't-I debate each month in Smiths.
 
nimbusgb said:
why buy magazines at all? Complete waste of money.
.
Click to expand...

But Then so is all sailing if looked at that way. We pay to sail or to read mags as our own choice.
I must however agree that the lack of interesting reading in YM recently shows a disregard for readers which IPC magazines may find is a short term economy but a long term road to oblivion.
 
I get the feeling that YM and PBO are sister companies as like the oppinions on this thread. I have often seen the same report in both mags. This month I actually thought I had got a month old mag due to the same reports. Still we still buy them dont we

Peter
 
Can I be more synical and suggest the quanitity of content reflects the frame of mind of the target market group and I bet we are more inclined to purchase at this time of year as less people are sailing and want some stimulation for next year? No data to confirm this just a suposition.

And I am not having a dig at the staff of YM or PBO bet they are just following policy from on high in publishing house.

Difficult job to do to please us lot and I guess the yachting scene has changed over the last 30 years and wonder whether the current aims of the different mags are sustainable.
 
Last edited:
I think PBO should go back to "Make a Removeable Cockpit Table For Under A Fiver" type articles and YM should go back to "Sir Harry Schmerching Blackballed Again At 'Squadron" type articles.
I can't wait to see the reader's response to Motorboats Monthly's "Convert a Consul Engine For Use In Your Cruiser" and the "Fit A Portapoti In It's Own Compartment" articles.
Classic Boat can stay as it is :p
 
Last edited:
I subscribe to both, but that may not carry on for much longer, they seem to be turning into the same magazine :confused:

YM used to have a real cruising emphasis and PBO was more practical projects.

Now they both look like a glorified catalogue for their advertisers, all tests, group reviews and what to buy.

I used to love YM, Tom Cunliffe's tales of adventures afloat were almost single handedly responsible for getting me out of an armchair and into a boat.

Chris
 
Out here in the colonies there are no English yachting magazines so I have taken to re reading back issues from 1981/1990.There up to date boat reports of boats I an afford,and hints and tips on anchouring!
 
nimbusgb said:
why buy magazines at all? Complete waste of money.
.
Click to expand...
At times they are, but since having cancelled my subscription last year I still find myself drawn to the boating section of the magazine racks. I came to the conclusion that all the stuff was just regurgitated in a different format in the different magazines so I cancelled my subscription. Fine, I thought, I can read what I need online. Which is of course true, but what it does not take into account are those times when due to enforced idleness (Travelling on public transport, looking after grandchildren etc. etc.) you are in need of some mental stimulation, and on these occasions it is good to pick up a magazine and browse. Plus it is good reading material for the 'smallest room' so I am, once again, contemplating a subscription to IPC.
Sad aren't I ? :o

Mal
 
I was about to recycle some old mags but started reading them instead. They are far more interesting than this years! So I have kept the old ones and thrown out the newer ones.

At SIBS, I got offered two mags for £1. I foolishly took PBO and YM. Virtually the same. I should have taken Classic Boat instead of one of them.
 
Kurrawong_Kid said:
Just had my YM. Test on Elan 310. Read about that boat 2 weeks ago in PBO. Thread on PBO forum just as interesting as articles. I've decided to cancel my subscription to both and buy at Smiths after a scan read to get better value for money!
Click to expand...
As per the other posts, they should take PBO back to its roots, proper DIY projects, they should use the forum as an idea producer! YM should concentrate on PROPER yacht tests, how to sail, how to set sails, again using the forum as an idea producer.
Stu
 
I've been receiving both the mags as xmas gift subscriptions for some years now,but have asked my subscribers(?) ..(daughter and in-laws) not to renew the mags from now on. They(the mags that is) have deteriorated significantly in the past few years and are now almost the same format and contents.
What do we get every year around Oct-Nov ?! ...How to winterise your engine/boat ... in both mags????
and in Mar-April ? getting ready for launching.!!!
Every Bl**dy year!!!! in both !!
At the price they are asking..almost 4 quid a go ...they seriously need to pull their corporate fingers out and start giving value for money.
One solution would be for them to amagamate...for lets face it they are aimed at the same market,and published by the same company,they could pension off some of the BOF's and introduce some new and innovative contributors who might breathe new life into the publications.
There are many topics on this forum that could be followed up,researched and produced as magazine articles..for example..there is presently a query on injectors on VP pentas....do a step-by step article on removing cyl head,pulling and replacing injectors & sleeves...surely a good machine shop would be happy to be featured diong the work, it might make a good article.
When the publishers realise that circulation is falling,they might act.
 
I perceive the problem of repetition as partly lack of imagination but also an unwillingness to deliver articles that are challenging. I put the latter down to a policy decision to appeal to the lowest common denominator and to the lack of any real expertise on the editorial team. In contrast I am an continually impressed by the level of specialist knowledge that is displayed by some posters on this website. The magazines should have the courage to work harder at transferring some of this into their pages. Just one article a month that went beyond the glossy-brochure superficial would be gratefully received. I guess we all recall the article on the pushy teenager, the "comparison" of gennaker and asymmetric spinnaker that contained no more than two compass roses and concluded you could sail deeper with an asymmetric, the comparison of masthead and fractional rig that decided the difference was entirely the ability to self-tack or not etc. etc.

I recently ordered some new sails and would have welcomed access to an article describing the pros and cons of the many fabrics available. A reasonably knowledgeable journalist interviewing a good sailmaker would easily generate the content. But, sadly, this seems to be beyond YM.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

S
Amiable demands for money!
Replies
15
Views
829
penberth3
P
Anibal
New to the Thames
Replies
2
Views
1K
Anibal
Anibal

Share this page

Top