MBM Buyers Guide, Opinions Please!

[Blue_Blazes]

Re: Extra 20 pages

Sorry Hugo, but the buyers guide is nothing but padding. Just like a padded wonderbra it looks impressive, but when you strip it away what's left is pretty disappointing. I won't be buying another copy of MBM until I see some of it's well-known critics on this forum saying how much it's improved.

Bill.

<hr width=100% size=1>One of these days I'll have a boat that WORKS

 

[Hugo_Andreae]

Re: Extra 20 pages

I'm sorry, and a little surprised, to hear that. Our sales have been going up and up over the past six months, which suggest things have been improving. In fact the last issue we have figures for (November) sold rather more copies in the UK than a certain other boat magazine I could mention.

However, since you obviously disagree please let me know what are the types of stories you used to like reading in MBM but which you are no longer getting. It might just help me to make things better still.

Hugo

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[itsonlymoney]

Re: Extra 20 pages

Ever considered spending a bit more money and effort on getting the thing posted. I enjoy MBM and look forward to its arrival, however I am sick of it being on the shelf two weeks before I get it on subscription.

Ian



<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[MedDreamer]

I think the general feeling on here is against (or ambivalance at best). However we are probably not a very representative sample in that the majority of us are already boatowners and not seriously in the market for new boats - we can get all the information we need to fuel our dreams for our next boat puchase from the adverts at the back.

It strikes me that such a section is more of interest to the casual readers who browse magazine stands and dream of owning a boat. Lets face it there isn't enough information in there to really make your choice from.

Hugo, it would be interesting to know what % of your readership are boatowners as opposed to aspiring boat owners - I bet you have an idea from your MR, can you share it with us.


<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[Hugo_Andreae]

I will share what I am allowed to as soon as the results come in

Hugo

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[Medskipper]

Hi Hugo,

When is the last time you ran some focus groups with current readers?
Perhaps more to the point, focus groups on lapsed readers?

Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[Blue_Blazes]

Re: Extra 20 pages

Hugo,

Thanks for the reply, it's nice to know that you care sufficiently about the loss of my patronage to ask for specifics. My main gripe, apart from the wonderbra effect, is the drift away from the sort of boating that the average bloke can aspire to. Some boats featured recently have been in the 200k plus range, not a realistic proposition for many, if not most, of your readers. OK, some folk like to look and dream, I do too sometimes, but if they want to do that MBY caters for their needs much more comprehensively. MBM used to carry a lot more practical articles than it has recently, and did so in greater depth than it does now. It has also had some excellent articles about real people and their real boats particularly some of the accounts of festering piles of crap restored to gleaming beauty. One particular feature that springs to mind was the story, spread over several issues, of the Coronet 24 that was bought and done up by the magazine. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but fascinating and useful to those who by choice or necessity do their own restoration and maintenance work. Perhaps I was being a little unfair when I said that what's left is disappointing. I can only speak for myself. The inland waterways bits are worth a read, although they are of little use to me personally, same goes for the Med stuff. The comparative tests are excellent, but in themselves are not sufficient to warrant purchasing the mag.


Bill.

<hr width=100% size=1>One of these days I'll have a boat that WORKS

 

[Hugo_Andreae]

Re: Extra 20 pages

I hear what you're saying and have already started to take some steps to redress the balance a little. In fact the Febuary issue we are now working on will focus specifically on how to get more boating fun for less money and has the most amazing build your own boat story I have personally ever come across. Namely a bloke who has built his own 96ft superyacht over an 11 year period using everything from old council flat balconies to a pair of two stroke outboards. Just don't ask how much he spent doing it. It will make you weep.

On the wider issue of affordable boating we are about to launch a series of in depth used boat tests in which we will sea trial actual examples and get brokers opinions on boats from as little as £10k. We also have a story on cheap ways to re-engine your boat. Last but not least we are trying to make sure that at least one of new boats we test in every issue is in the £20-£60k price bracket.

I hope this entices you and others to stick with us for a few more months!

Hugo

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[tico]

Re: Extra 20 pages

Thanks for an honest answer, I look forward to it.

Also, without encroaching on PBO, some practical articles on say, fitting depth meters, chart plotters etc

Engine comparisons,i'm sure that Martyn would be up for it in comparison with an AQ41

Propellor theory and how it relates to real life

How about some localised cruising guides/experiences....... we arn't all based on the south coast.



<hr width=100% size=1>Been there, done that, got the oily T shirt

 

[Blue_Blazes]

Re: Extra 20 pages

96ft superyacht knocked up out of council flat balconies and retired Seagulls, you are having a laugh, right? I hate to admit it, but I'm going to buy the February issue on the strength of that one alone. Woe betide you if you're telling fibs.


Bill.

<hr width=100% size=1>One of these days I'll have a boat that WORKS

 

[jhr]

Re: Extra 20 pages

Superyacht build is presumably for the 1st April edition?

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[kimhollamby]

No fib

This was a project that first came to our attention back in the early 1990s when we were asked if we would like to join the maiden voyage of the bare open hull, powered by a couple of outboards, from Scotland I think it was. Strangely enough we were too busy at the time...I was amazed when Hugo told me the guy had been in touch and then showed me the pics.

Trust me, you have to buy the Feb issue!

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