Read PBO? We would like your opinion.

[Richard Shead]

Read PBO? We would like your opinion.

Practical Boat Owner is looking for readers that don’t necessarily purchase the publication each and every month but perhaps buy it between 3-9 times a year.

If this is you and you are planning a trip to Southampton Boat Show we would love to hear from you.

We are looking to hold a number of discussion groups on Monday 17th September at the Holiday Inn Southampton, which is in the show grounds.

In order to qualify all you have to do is read a specific issue that we will send out to you and then tell us what you think in a group session.

The sessions will be on the 17th September at either 11.00 or 2.00 and will last just under 2 hours naturally we will give you two complimentary adult tickets to gain entry to the show.

The aim of the session is to find out from our readers what they think of Practical Boat Owner as part of our commitment to produce the best possible magazine — and there is no one better qualified to tell us than you, the reader.

If you are interested please email my colleague Samantha Blakey samantha_blakey@ipcmedia.com and she will give you all the details. Please note, you must not be a subscriber.

Thank you for your time.

 

[nigelmercier]

The aim of the session is to find out from our readers what they think of Practical Boat Owner as part of our commitment to produce the best possible magazine — and there is no one better qualified to tell us than you, the reader... Please note, you must not be a subscriber.

Surely subscribers would be better "qualified" than occasional readers?

 

[yachtorion]

Surely subscribers would be better "qualified" than occasional readers?

Not if you're trying to work out what would turn an ocassional reader into a subscriber.

 

[Richard Shead]

Surely subscribers would be better "qualified" than occasional readers?

We have already had a number of focus group with subscribers and yes we are looking for occasional readers.

Cheers

 

[rbcoomer]

I'm an 'occasional reader' of PBO - although I subscribe to MBM via Zinio. Sadly, I'm there on the 15th however having already secured bargain train tickets from Devon at just over £20 for son & myself. I'd gladly write some feedback however if that's any help and you're short on numbers nearer the time...

 

[Topcat47]

I buy the occasional copy and would be pleased to take part.

 

[LittleSister]

Counts me out, then, a former subscriber who hardly ever reads it now.

 

[chewi]

Counts me out, then, a former subscriber who hardly ever reads it now.

+1

 

[JerryHawkins]

Subscribers leaving

It's all very well attracting occasional readers to become subscribers, but you need to keep subscribers who may be thinking of cancelling to become occasional readers...

 

[Richard Shead]

It's all very well attracting occasional readers to become subscribers, but you need to keep subscribers who may be thinking of cancelling to become occasional readers...

Thank you for that, may I refer you to my earlier post when I said we had already held a number of groups with subscribers who are happy and perhaps not so happy.

This as I said is just for occasional readers but naturally all feed back is welcome.

Thank you

 

[kyleview]

Thank you for that, may I refer you to my earlier post when I said we had already held a number of groups with subscribers who are happy and perhaps not so happy.

This as I said is just for occasional readers but naturally all feed back is welcome.

Thank you

Well ok from your point of view - but as someone from Scotland who will not be there, also a current subscriber to YM and PBO, I am not too sure if my PBO one is going to continue - find it rather bland and YM, Sailing Today, and even Yachting World, which I purchase locally seem to fit the bill better.

 

[Richard Shead]

Well ok from your point of view - but as someone from Scotland who will not be there, also a current subscriber to YM and PBO, I am not too sure if my PBO one is going to continue - find it rather bland and YM, Sailing Today, and even Yachting World, which I purchase locally seem to fit the bill better.

Ok thank you as I said we constantly undertaking research and will get to Scotland soon (there is a questionnaire in the Sept issue) but I would be more than happy to listen to your views on PBO and why it does not cut it for you any more? if you have time i would welcome a PM. OR we are at the Inverkipp Brokerage weekend in Oct? If that's near (and spet right / apologies)

 

[chartnavigator]

If you are interested please email my colleague Samantha Blakey samantha_blakey@ipcmedia.com and she will give you all the details.

I did that some days ago but have not had a reply yet. Should I repeat?

Regards Chris Medway.

 

[Richard Shead]

I did that some days ago but have not had a reply yet. Should I repeat?

Regards Chris Medway.

Hmm we went through them all today and answered all? please try again and cc me..richard_shead@ipcmedia.com

Cheers

 

[chartnavigator]

please try again and cc me..richard_shead@ipcmedia.com

Cheers

Have done! Thanks

 

[Penton Hooker]

There was a time when I was an avid PBO reader, when it was for practical boat owners. Unfortunately, I suspect, us practical types don't fit in with present day advertisers. Shame really, there are so many second/third/forth hand boats out there needing practical owners.

 

[kyleview]

Ok thank you as I said we constantly undertaking research and will get to Scotland soon (there is a questionnaire in the Sept issue) but I would be more than happy to listen to your views on PBO and why it does not cut it for you any more? if you have time i would welcome a PM. OR we are at the Inverkipp Brokerage weekend in Oct? If that's near (and spet right / apologies)

Richard - Will see you at Inverkip, just 6 miles from our house. Thanks

 

[PCUK]

I won't be there, so just to say I can't understand the anti-motor boat stance of the publishers when there are plenty of Mobo-ers (maybe more the Nelson/Aqua-Star types) who would read it if there was something for them.

 

[rbcoomer]

I won't be there, so just to say I can't understand the anti-motor boat stance of the publishers when there are plenty of Mobo-ers (maybe more the Nelson/Aqua-Star types) who would read it if there was something for them.

+1 I posted similar on the thread: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=326311

The name suggests it's for DIY boat owners and I do believe that's the aim, but the magazine content leans heavily towards sail rather the boating in general. This is a shame because there are a lot of us 'Practical Boat Owners' who's lifestyle doesn't make sail a viable option. Look around any river, estuary etc and there are 100's of small vessels that have little mainstream representation - I'd say more than half are small owner fishing boats or working boats, mobos or other non-sail. Then add in all those awaiting TLC in garages, driveways, gardens... The content of MBM leans heavily towards the £50K and upwards and has very little practical content. MB&Y is just lottery territory!

If you look down the threads in this forum, well 80% would apply to mobos or all boats and yet I wouldn't say the same of the published mag... I have no objection to content specific to sailing vessels, provided there is a good mix of general content too. I do find the magazine interesting, but not that useful if that makes sense?

 

[PCUK]

I think this has become more apparent since MBM stopped any pretence at being practical.