Practical Boat Owner today

[Rum_Pirate]

I do not think that Practical Boat Owner magazine today is just that "a Practical Boat Owner" magazine for Practical Boat Owner's. Most of it is new boats (except the piece by Andrew) on second hand boats.

There is little 'hands on' stuff (unless sent in by readers). Most seems to be new gear/new boats/through out your old an stick in the new.

Or am I totally wrong??

before you respond have a look at a PBO from say 15 - 20 years ago.

 

[vyv_cox]

I agree, but does the market want 'Practical Boat Ownership?' I suggest that the majority of owners are following the trend in house purchase and buying boats that need no immediate maintenance and then paying someone else to do what becomes necessary. OK, many owners do their own anti-fouling and perhaps varnishing, but that wouldn't make very good reading.

PBO is just following the trend, with the occasional return to its roots. For example, there is a series running at the moment on tools for boat work and there have been plenty of recent articles on major jobs like re-engining, making or re-upholstering cushions, decking in teak or substitutes, etc.

 

[graham]

A bit rude to say this on this site but i think that Sailing Today has more for the real practical boat owner.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Really good value boat on offer - bottom right of Page 145

2006 HR48 for 665 Euros !!

 

[graham]

bugger ,we could have bought that if the kids werent busilly bankrupting us on skiing and sailing courses. Would they take a post dated cheque do you think?? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Channel Ribs]

I find that I increasingly think of grumbles to post on here while reading PBO, that may be because I am getting old and grumpy or it may be that they are taunting me with silly moderneties.

Sam's Minimum Boat column is spot on, that is what I think of as practical boating. Anything with an LCD TV or more than one privy should be culled during the editorial process.

Also, dont get me started on the 'replace canvas with epoxy sheathing' story! Surely the Practical boat owner wants to know how to *replace* the canvas, rather then upgrade to plastic?

I would love to see:-
Articles which exculde neither power nor sail,
Advertisers targetting hands on owners of well loved craft,
Discussion of modern materials and technology.

Maybe I need to switch subs to a Classic Boat magazine.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Where else in the yotmag industry would you find an article on selecting an electric drill?

Although maybe you'd prefer a brace and bit.

 

[Channel Ribs]

Tis a good point /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The power tools feature is good, which makes a total of two. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Barr Avel]

But with a bigger and bigger section dedicated to Motor Boats, and reviews such as the one of the Fingulf 41, personally I think it is losing its appeal for the 'practical' sailor.
Certainly I think Sailing Today is much more my kind of magazine and feels a lot more relevant! It doesn't help that PBO decides to campaign endlessly on things like tax-free diesel, which frankly changes precious to small yacht owners. Meanwhile Sailing Today spends its energy fighting battles on moorings etc...

Having said that, ST doesn't have this great forum! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Marc.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I can never find ST anywhere... all the major newsagents don't seem to stock it!

Wasn't impressed with this months PBO.... sure the drill article was OK.... but artciles about boats between £330k and £750k!!!!!!!!..... hardly PBO territory surely?

 

[NJMcK]

[ QUOTE ]
But with a bigger and bigger section dedicated to Motor Boats...



[/ QUOTE ]

What's wrong with motor boats? I thought the magazine was Practical BOAT Owner? To me there is far too much in the magazine about sailing boats.

 

[RichardTaylor]

[ QUOTE ]
I can never find ST anywhere... all the major newsagents don't seem to stock it!


[/ QUOTE ]

Magazines like ST have to pay the likes of WH Smiths shelf space to stock their magazine.

Therefore you need to frequent smaller news agents to find the more specialist mags (ST) or subscribe. Our subscription to ST is worth every penny.

 

[VicMallows]

The 'practical boating' aspects are all covered in great detail right here!..... So regard the glossy mag as undemanding bedtime reading necessary in order to fund our online addiction /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Vic

 

[reginaldon]

The PBO certainly lived up to its name in times past, but speaking as cheap skate, I have been disappointed of late and have spent my hard-earned on the ST. Perhaps it ought to remember its roots.

 

[MoodySabre]

Found mine on the doormat - why waste money in a newsagents?

 

[Achillesheel]

I am glad PBO has graduated from the early days, of "use empty lemonade bottles to make fenders" (really) but I prefer YM, personally.

 

[Anonymous]

In the hope the the forum management are reading this, would they please consider distributing an electronic version of PBO via Zinio - www.zinio.com It is the ideal way for liveaboards to get magazines; via the internet, anywhere in the world, and without having to store hard copy. Zinio is a marvellous service but too few magazines, especially British.

 

[LadyInBed]

I found the article on Fuel Cells quite interesting.
I have yet to digest the Diesel bug test /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[aknight]

PBO is already on Zinio, as is YM.

 

[Anonymous]

Marvellous, thanks for pointing that out it wasn't there when I last looked for it and doesn't come up when you search for it, you have to look for it under 'Outdoor Pursuits'. I can highly recommend Zinio to people, great service.