Yachting Monthly New Boat Tests


Why does [an RNLI lifeboat] cost twice the amount of the larger French boat??
Comparative review?
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added to..

This is starting to look like an obsession, and if you must do it then it would be better kept to threads that are actually about the RNLI and/or SNSM.

Pete
 
I try to test a variety of yachts, but more people will buy the latest Ben Jen Bav Han than almost all of the other brands put together, so I try to serve that section of the market as well as thowing in the odd intertesting boat here and there.
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So are you trying to sell your magazine, or offer free marketing for BenBavJen?

And how many of your readers REALLY want to buy a BenBavJen, and buy your magazine for that reason?

If I buy a sailing mag it is almost always Voile et Voiliers. Partly because I live in France so it is more available, but also because it tests lots of interesting niche boats. I am unlikely to every buy any of them as I am happy with my existing boat, but I like to read about new innovations. When I am in UK, I always have a peek in YM when in WHSmiths, but hardly every buy it because of lack of interesting boats on test.

BTW, please let us know on here when you test one of the new Discovery Southerlies, particularly the 370. That's an interesting boat!
 
This is starting to look like an obsession, and if you must do it then it would be better kept to threads that are actually about the RNLI and/or SNSM.

Pete

The previous correspondent wanted a test of a Tamar lifeboat.

I was responding to that with the very valid point about why they should cost so much more than the larger French boat.

If you were a RNLI subscriber, surely you would want to know that your contribution was being spent wisely?
 
I was responding to that with the very valid point about why they should cost so much more than the larger French boat.

If you were a RNLI subscriber, surely you would want to know that your contribution was being spent wisely?

Give it a rest, nobody's interested.

Pete
 
So are you trying to sell your magazine, or offer free marketing for BenBavJen?

And how many of your readers REALLY want to buy a BenBavJen, and buy your magazine for that reason?

If I buy a sailing mag it is almost always Voile et Voiliers. Partly because I live in France so it is more available, but also because it tests lots of interesting niche boats. I am unlikely to every buy any of them as I am happy with my existing boat, but I like to read about new innovations. When I am in UK, I always have a peek in YM when in WHSmiths, but hardly every buy it because of lack of interesting boats on test.

BTW, please let us know on here when you test one of the new Discovery Southerlies, particularly the 370. That's an interesting boat!

Herein lies the rub. Most of us want to buy a Jen Ben Bav Han as this boat suits best to our style of sailing and the depths of our pockets. Sure, I'd LOVE a 42 foot Arcona, but this would cost a bit more than my 29 foot Jen.

Discoveries and Southerlies are more suited to YW where they specialise in boats that I might be able to see at the SIBS and in the Berthon yard but nowhere else. This said, I genuinely find the niche boats interesting (particularly the French ones) as they are often designed by sailors who have put in all kinds of interesting features to make the boat easier to sail.
 
This said, I genuinely find the niche boats interesting (particularly the French ones) as they are often designed by sailors who have put in all kinds of interesting features to make the boat easier to sail.

But there are British niche boats too. Anyone remember the GT35? :rolleyes:
 
You have hit the nail squarely on the head.

Hasn't he just.

I have no interest whatsoever in pop music, but I read newspaper review with one or two out of five stars for new releases because I know they'll be entertainingly scathing.

The overwhelming majority of readers will not be remotely interested in buying the boat under review. Even those who might be thinking of buying new almost certainly won't, statistics being what they are, be considering one of that size.

So stuff the well-meaning but deadly dull factual stuff. Write something funny, passionate, critical but above all interesting, and don't fall into the trap of thinking that what you write will have the slightest effect on purchase decisions.
 
Maybe if the reports where more technical and in depth .For instance whilst the boat is being built we would have pictures and commentary on construction ,fixing bulkheads keel adhesion system and steering etc.

Sounds absolutely thrilling. That'll bring the readers flocking back. Every month a new bulkhead bonding system reviewed in detail - I can hardly wait.
 
Wasn't a very good episode for GT Yachts either, who no longer exist.

If only there was some profession which might subject claims from companies - about having sold boats, for example - to some examination and expose specious flim-flam ...

To be fair, the Walker Wingsail case probably still has YM / IPC / TI people waking up screaming, but we could at least hope for neutrality in reviews.
 
If you are looking for a niche boat to test how about the Mojito's from idbmarine? Lifting keel, self-tacking jib, panoramic vision from down below, dinghy garage - in sub 10m boat. Want one!
 
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