Does anyone here subscribe to Classic Boat?

[dip_lug]

Does anyone here subscribe to Classic Boat?

The reason I’m asking is this. I’ve never seen a copy in this part of North America so can’t look at a copy. The web site promotional material looks great, but of course its very biased.

How does it compare with one I already subscribe - Wooden Boat?

Thanks

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[Peterduck]

No, I don't subscribe, because I can't afford to. An overseas subscription would have me paying around $20.00 per copy, at least double the price at the newsagent. I would rate "Classic Boat" as the equal of "Wooden Boat", but it's a very different animal.
Peter.

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[dip_lug]

Thanks for the information Peter.

That price for an overseas subscription, is probably the reason I have not seen a copy here on the west coast. Pretty steep, no matter how good the publication!

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[Castletine]

I subscribe to Classic Boat

but I do think that the editorial is now going in the 'wrong' direction.

It seems that Classic Boat now focuses on the exclusive wooden yachts like C&N, Fifes, Sparkman & Stevens, charting their pedigree and history and largely ignoring the 'those with tubs' brigade that would like a little more practical insight into how to keep our wooden wonders afloat.

In my mind, throwing in the odd article on the history of Rampart, whilst interesting, does little to address the current issues in maintaining a Rampart. Same goes for Robbie Coltrane's beautiful Silver, which after the article I found that the boat is feted For Sale - nice bit of free advertising for Robbie, nice article on how his boat looks, but what about the maintenance?, the jobs that need doing?, the restoration? - what about all the bits about how its kept afloat?

There are no articles on cracked ribs, gribble worm and how to recognise or avoid it, caulking, how to skafe in a new plank, garboard strakes, rot in mahogony transoms, identifying different wood, how to spot well seasoned wood, etc etc, ad infinitum!!!!

Admittedly, the magazine is beautifully produced with really lovely photography, however of late I have noticed a distinct slimming of pages and the editorial becoming a little more shallow.

Where my boat, a 1931 Osborne Motor Yacht, is moored there is a merry band of old salts whose skills are fast fading in this new age plasticised world.

With Classic Boat there seems to be nothing done to report on 'how to do it' and these old fellers hold the key to the future of boats like mine, and for what I've read on this forum, many others.

I'm sure that the official reply will be along the lines that Practical Boat covers maintenance etc, but the fact is that us 'woodies' are owners of 'Impractical Boats' that also happen to be 'Classic Boats' and by and large a lot of the articles do not address our direct needs.

Sorry to go about this - you did ask....

In return I ask of you, is Wooden Boat worth the subscription?

Yours in the wind of possible change

Jonathan

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[Ed_Stacey]

While I have no doubt that he is trying to be helpful, you would be wise to note that Peter resides in Australia and therefore the figure he is quoting is Australian Dollars. Current subscription offers mean that you can get a yearly subscription to Classic Boat for USD 55.00 which works out at less per issue than Woodenboat.

Click on the "Subscriptions" button at the top left of this page and follow the instructions if you wish to verify this (no purchase necessary). Before you ask, yes, I do work for the magazine but I will spare you the argument about the benefits of the magazine, and how we have managed to condense the same level of content into fewer pages - a move that will appeal to conservationists if not all readers.

Ed Stacey
Ad Manager - Classic Boat


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[Peterduck]

Yes Ed, I am quoting Aussie Dollars. However, when I spend a dollar here, I get roughly the same amount of goods / services as if I had spent a pound in London. This is why I say that a cover price of $20 is not just over the top, it's unsustainable. It is bad enough when I pay $10 for CB at the newsagent. Local sailing mags are $6.00.
Peter.

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[Mirelle]

Yes.

It's not a bad rag, on the whole. The serious addict should also take "Wooden Boat" (of course) and "Watercraft"

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[dip_lug]

Re: I subscribe to Classic Boat

Jonathan.

I agree, much as I like to see the wealthy at sea, I also want to see affordable boats.

I wonder if the lack of “how to articles” in CB, might be because of Wooden Boat’s expertise and excellent coverage on the subject.

Regarding your questions of WB. I’ve been a subscriber for almost as long as its been published. A high quality magazine in content and photographs, WB, is an advocate of classic and modern wooden boats. It promotes education in all aspects of wooden boat building and ownership. From how to articles, to its own highly respected and acclaimed WoodenBoat School. The magazine features everything from million dollar yachts to inexpensive rowboats and everything between, including workboats - all made of wood.

Education is important. As owners of a classic wooden boats, we own a piece of history. It is our responsibly to learn and pass the skills, associated with ownership, to future generations. We don’t all have the skills of a master builder, but we all have the ability to understand those skills.

Colin

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[dip_lug]

Ed_Stacey.

Thanks for you input. I import software from Australia so I’m familiar with that dollar’s value. I think the only way to decide on CB’s merits or lack of them, is to get an issue. Does CB use a distributor in western Canada? I checked Chapters, the largest chain bookstore in the country, but they have not heard of it. Or can I buy a single issue, directly from the publisher, in order to make an evaluation?

Colin.

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[dip_lug]

Re: Yes.

Mirelle

Thanks for the opinion. I’ve never seen “Watercraft” in Western Canada, but will look for it. Did you read “The Universal Rule M-Boats” in this month’s issue of WB? A great article!

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[Ed_Stacey]

Classic Boat is (or should be) available from the following retail outlets in Vancouver:

Magpie magazine Gallery--1369 Commercial Dr
Duthie Books--2239 West 4th Ave
Hye Park Express--555 West 12th Ave
Newsroom--2256 West 41st Ave
International News--386 Robson Street
International News--Concord Pacific Place
Sunset Book Exchange--2440 Granville Street
News Agents--1011 Park Royal
People's News and Magazines--2883 West Broadway
Mayfair News ltd.--1535 West Broadway
Does Your Mother Know?--2139 West 4th Ave
Chapter's--2505 Granville Street
Relay--Vancouver Airport

See also the PM I sent earlier
Ed

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[dip_lug]

Ed.

Thanks for the list and PM.

Colin

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[Castletine]

Re: I subscribe to Classic Boat

Thanks Colin

Agree with all you said - I feel the same way.

Will certainly track down WB

Jonathan

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[dhouston]

Re: I subscribe to Classic Boat

Can I just say that CB does run practical articles and has run pieces on cracked ribs with the 95 year old Larry's crossing the Atlantic - Larry's sisters - 164. Teredo and gribble worm were covered in 132 and 106 respectively. Caulking was in 178, 154, 133, 118 and 94. Scarphs have been covered several times although the most recent was in 155. Removing and refitting a garboard were in 131 and 132, bracing garboards was in 160. As for choosing and using wood there are too many articles over the years to mention. The magazine has an index, reasonably cross-referenced, which covers all the articles since it was launched in 1987. We sell that too, as well as photocopies of past articles.
There have also been a range of boathandling and seamanship articles over the years, with regular features this and last summer April-Oct.
The problem with running an article on a big boat is that no-one seems to notice the smaller boats we run in the same issue. So we covered Moonbeam in April, but our first feature was on the Carrick 25; The Lady Anne was on September's cover but the first feature was on the new little Cape 19 gaffer, and who noticed the articles on building a clinker dinghy, or all the small boats in the Old Gaffers' feature? We're a broad church, always have been and while running an article on one of these big boats might look like appealing to a small owners' club, please do remember that for every deep pocketed owner there are half a dozen or more crew who are the people doing the work and keeping the thing going. Plus riggers, boatbuilders and a little industry of folk who are of the quite-normal-pocket variety.
I agree that we can always do better and the focus is under constant evaluation. Keep the comments coming: it's our lifeblood.
Dan Houston - Editor

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[mickshep]

Re: I subscribe to Classic Boat

Have to agree, had C.B since issue 1. I thought it was becoming more like a "dreamers" photo album, Then they bought up and "incorperated" The Boatman, Brill thinks I, more of the smaller craft that the majority of classic boat owners in this country sail and maintain. Sadly not the case, The cynical side of me sees only the buying up and burying of the only magazine on the market that challenged C.Bs dominence of the U.K classic boat magazine market, they have even dropped the facade of putting the Boatman name below Classic boat on the front. Result? No more Classic Boat for me. Shame really that the new owners haven't realised that we can't all afford a restored Fife. Cheers Mike.

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[whiskerstay]

Classic Boat

I can see both sides to this discussion, but I must admit that, having only been reading Classic Boat for about two or three years, I haven't really noticed a decline in practical articles, and to be honest, I never really thought of CB as that kind of magazine - it isn't as practical as Wooden Boat, but then again, does it need to be?

This issue is a good example - the £2m modern classic "Ghost". I sincerely doubt many of us could consider popping a cheque of that magnitude in the post, but sailing on the Orwell I've seen her about and thought "What the hell...?!". Now I know - I found the article intriguing, but I'm sure CB couldn't be under any illusion that many readers could afford a £2m yacht. It was just an interesting read, and the basis for a good discussion in the pub.

I read CB for a rounded look at all aspects of the classic boating world - from Fifes to working boats to Thames Barges. The practical and seamanship sections are useful, but for a magazine with an all-round more practical approach, buy Wooden Boat in addition!


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