There's been too much discussion of trolling and net nannying lately. Here's
an opportunity go get back on topic and discuss boating. Here's a few
questions to get the ball rolling.

Boating magazines:
Why do we buy them?
Do we rely on them to make buying decisions?
Do we expect honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?
Do we get honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?
Do advertisers influence magazine content (other than their ads)?
Do some manufacturers bribe publication personnel to get favorable press?
Jim

Jim wrote:
: There's been too much discussion of trolling and net nannying lately. Here's
: an opportunity go get back on topic and discuss boating. Here's a few
: questions to get the ball rolling.

: Boating magazines:
: Why do we buy them?
: Do we rely on them to make buying decisions?
: Do we expect honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?
: Do we get honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?
: Do advertisers influence magazine content (other than their ads)?
: Do some manufacturers bribe publication personnel to get favorable press?
: Jim

I subscribe mainly to Trailer Boats Magazine.

I read it for technical articles, human interes artles and to
vicariously "boat" when I'm not boating. I also have a subscription
to Hal Schell's (RIP) Bay and Delta Yachtsman magazine. I don't
own a yacht but it has good, interesting articles on the California
Delta areas.

Buying decisions... probably not. I usually only find positive
comments in the reviews and they're a bit biased although still
interesting.

b.

Jim wrote:
There's been too much discussion of trolling and net nannying lately. Here's
an opportunity go get back on topic and discuss boating. Here's a few
questions to get the ball rolling.

I would be surprised if anyone disagrees with my evaluation of boating
magazines but what they heck.

Boating magazines:
Why do we buy them?

I have when I was in the market for a new boat or a new accessories.
I view them as a nice catalog or brochure,
with more information and description than the West Marine Catalog.
It helps me narrow done my choices.

Do we rely on them to make buying decisions?

I use them the same way I would use this NG as an opportunity to
narrow down my choices, but do not take the info as the gosple.

Do we expect honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?

I expect the information to be factually correct, but understand all of
the info provided is desinged to highlight the products features and
benefits. Normally they are not, nor do they pretend to be a crtical
evaluation of the product as it compares to others in it's field. If
the boating magazine reviewed the product, and it was a piece of ****
that they could not say anything positive, they normally decline to
write the article. You will find very very few negative evalations in
any of the magazines.


Do we get honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages? see above


Do advertisers influence magazine content (other than their ads)?

It is very common for pieces about a product catagory to be
written so the mag can sell ads space around the article. I don't think
the advertisers need to try to influence the mag, it is a very symbiotic
relationship between boating mags, mfg'ers and magazine buyers.

Do some manufacturers bribe publication personnel to get favorable press?

Why should the boating industry be any different than any other
industry? I would think there are competitant honest individuals in the
boating press, and there are sleeze balls. You probably have the same
in your industry. Most magazines try their best not to provide false
information, they just sell features of whatever product they are
"reviewing".

From what I have seen, Chuck is one of the honest ones who does his
best to sell the sizzle whenever he writes an article. The idea is to
promote the hobby, the products and the mfg'ers.

Why do you ask?


Jim




--
Reggie

That's my story and I am sticking to it!

Jim wrote:
There's been too much discussion of trolling and net nannying lately. Here's
an opportunity go get back on topic and discuss boating. Here's a few
questions to get the ball rolling.

Boating magazines:
Why do we buy them?

It would be unusual for anybody to buy one. The vast majority are
available on a free circulation basis. Sometimes there's a charge for
magazines normally picked up at a stand to be mailed to your house, but
most of the "subscription only" titles are now free.
Despite a cover price of several dollars, I don't pay for Sea or Power
& Motoryacht, for example. Just being able to add another name to the
"paid circulation" (guffaw, guffaw) numbers is worth more than the
price of a subscription.

Do we rely on them to make buying decisions?

You shouldn't rely exclusively on any one source. You should gather
information from multiple sources and consider your subjective
preferences as well.

Do we expect honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?

I've never really seen a boat "review" in a boating magazine. What you
see in most are product information pieces. IOW: Here are the prominent
features of this particular product.

Do we get honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?

Nearly always. Remember that if you're considering boats with a proper
design and hull configuration for your intended purpose and if the boat
is adequately stout for the conditions under which it is intended to be
used, most of the reasons that you, personally, would dislike a boat
are going to be subjective.

Do advertisers influence magazine content (other than their ads)?

Yes and no. Most magazines are not going to devote a lot of ink to
publicizing products that are not advertised in the magazine (and
especially won't do a lavish spread on a non-advertiser's product that
competes with a major supporter). 1/2 of the articles in the magazine I
write and edit for have nothing to do with a specific product.

Do some manufacturers bribe publication personnel to get favorable press?

Unfortunately, not in my experience. :-)

"Jim" wrote in message
nk.net...
There's been too much discussion of trolling and net nannying lately.
Here's an opportunity go get back on topic and discuss boating. Here's a
few questions to get the ball rolling.

Boating magazines:
Why do we buy them?

No.


Do we rely on them to make buying decisions?

No.


Do we expect honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?


Depends on the publication, but generally no.


Do we get honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?


Depends on the publication, but generally no.


Do advertisers influence magazine content (other than their ads)?

Again, it depends on the publication but generally yes.


Do some manufacturers bribe publication personnel to get favorable press?


Possible. Payola. Gifts. Reduced prices. Who knows for sure.


Jim

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Jim" wrote in message
nk.net...
There's been too much discussion of trolling and net nannying lately.
Here's an opportunity go get back on topic and discuss boating. Here's a
few questions to get the ball rolling.

Boating magazines:
Why do we buy them?

I don't


Do we rely on them to make buying decisions?

No.


Do we expect honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?


Depends on the publication, but generally no.


Do we get honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?


Depends on the publication, but generally no.


Do advertisers influence magazine content (other than their ads)?

Again, it depends on the publication but generally yes.


Do some manufacturers bribe publication personnel to get favorable press?


Possible. Payola. Gifts. Reduced prices. Who knows for sure.


Jim




Oops......edit.

Speaking of advertising...Does anyone know which magazines have the best
circulation? Either for power or sail?

The reason I ask is I have been considering advertising my product in
Lats&Atts and I am trying to assess the benefit versus cost and if this is
one of the better (sailing) magazines. The magazine recently printed an
article (in the June issue) about my product after meeting with them at the
Toronto Boat Show this past January. Sales have increased as a result, but
the cost to actually advertise is expensive.
The magazine (Lats&Atts) appears to be a good one to advertise my lifeline
hooks in, but I am wondering if I should consider another magazine to
advertise my hooks for rails (more for powerboats). So hence my question
as to what magazines have the higher circulations.

Mark (the Rail, Canopy, & LifeLine Hook guy)
www.ripnet.com/vtf/prod03.htm

"Jim" wrote in message
nk.net...
There's been too much discussion of trolling and net nannying lately.
Here's an opportunity go get back on topic and discuss boating. Here's a
few questions to get the ball rolling.

Boating magazines:
Why do we buy them?
Do we rely on them to make buying decisions?
Do we expect honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?
Do we get honest reviews of boats and gear on their pages?
Do advertisers influence magazine content (other than their ads)?
Do some manufacturers bribe publication personnel to get favorable press?
Jim

On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 09:03:34 -0400, "Mark"
wrote:

So hence my question
as to what magazines have the higher circulations.

I'm not sure that's the most important factor. What you really want
is the magazine that deliver the highest number of actual boat owners
who use them in a manner consistent with needing your product.

I'd guess that Latts & Atts rates fairly well on that score.