Incestuous YM?

[Rob_Webb]

OK, maybe I'm in a bit of a moany mood but is it me or is the latest (Sep) YM even more incestuous than normal?

1. Isle of Lookouts: Story about Paul Gelder (YM Ed) and Dick Durham (Features Ed) who sail PG's trimaran to Alderney and back
2. Survey Survey Survey: Story about (you've guessed it) Dick Durham looking at different boats for possible purchase under the watchful eye of a pro surveyor
3. Four summers, four nations: Story about Tom Cunliffe (regular contributor) and his family on an impressive trip to the arctic circle and back home around Britain

... and there is more stuff that is staff-centric too.

Now, don't get me wrong, these are all good guys with more experience than I'll ever have and their writing is always interesting and informative, no argument. But do the 'true' readership of ordinary sailors really offer up so little interesting material that YM must resort to filling their pages with their own staff exploits in such large proportions?



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[ccscott49]

One more story about the Cunliffe bunch and I'll scream! Can't withdraw my subscription, haven't got one!

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[tcm]

Ccscott\'s Mediterranean Voyage 2003 - Full story

Instead of dull stories about the staff, this month we've got the full details of real-life reader CCscott's voyages covering the whole of the first six months of 2003!

"After overwintering in Barcelona, March came around and it was time to prepare the boatfor the coming season. This involved lots of trips to the supermarket on the motorbike getting stiocked up on drinks etc. Actually, not much needed fixing on the boat becuase it is in fab condition, so I hosed it down. Well, actually this little crew chappie did it for me, whilst I prepared for guests who were coming aboard over Easter. Only problem was the electrics (or was it the motor?) not working, so they had an enjoyable week in the harbour, visitng the city and so forth, and had some very merry parties in the evenings on the boat and ashore.

A week later it was time to return to work. I had another fortnight on board in April, and also in May, when finally the motor (or was it the electric?) was sorted out and we were ready to set sail. So in June we sallied forth from Port Vell to the Balearix. There was no wind, or anyway, not enought to go through the fag of pratting about with the sails, so we motored overnight. The crew guy reckoned he saw some dolphins in the night, but they had cleared off by the time I got up. It's a hundred miles to Palma, and it took us a full day, arriving mid-morning. We spent a few nights at anchor, then back to work. I went back to the boat in July, and met some more friends whilst at anchor, but pesky work called me back so I only spent a week that time. In August we might move to the south of France for a bit BUT not if it blows up. Also, there's a lot of work on so it might have to wait till September. "

Next month, another even duller report from tcm who has been from antibes to St Tropez (20 miles) twice (or is it three times?) this year and also to Menton (10 miles) otherwise has similarly pratted about fixing petty jobs and getting far too drunk on cheap plonk in the evenings.

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[AndrewB]

Leading the life of Riley?

I for one do expect yachting journalists to provide the bulk of the copy. But better commissioned articles from a range of the great and the good, as YM used to, rather than the in-house hacks all the time.

And don't they just flaunt their lifestyle, forever swanning off on jollies down to Spain in the name of journalism! Is that what the subscription pays for? Why can't they be assigned to something humble but worthy, like a photo-article demonstrating how to unblock the heads pump?

 

[Mirelle]

Menton? St Trop? Bah! Humbug!

We've been to Pyefleet Creek! So there!

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[Rob_Webb]

Excellent - more please!

You see that's EXACTLY the kind of thing I mean.

How refreshing - or is that an advert for a beer?

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[ccscott49]

Re: Ccscott\'s Mediterranean Voyage 2003 - Full story

You been reading my mail!! I did actually go 100 miles around the island in July, but you've got it about right!! Bloody work! I'll be glad when I retire.

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[ccscott49]

Re: Excellent - more please!

Nah! For beer bellys!

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[ccscott49]

Re: Menton? St Trop? Bah! Humbug!

Where's creek?

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[oldharry]

Do they have an exclusive contract with Tom C? Or is it just nobody else writes about sailing....

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[Peppermint]

Re: Could you

Keep quiet about Menton. WE don't want every body going there.

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[Mirelle]

Re: Menton? St Trop? Bah! Humbug!

Opposite Brightlingsea. And about as far as I'll get this year, I reckon.

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[MainlySteam]

Well, soon Rob you will have to get used to reading it months out of date as well. We are back at the May {sorry June, just looked at my latest copy} issue as the current copy on the news stands!

John



<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by MainlySteam on 16/08/2003 00:47 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[tcm]

Re: sorry

It's a total dump, and nobody will want to go, especially with the sewage workings in the old port. Will this do?

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