Freesail - I can address subscribing to Lats & Atts. I don't work for the magazine proper, but Bob Bitchin is my partner in the TV show. Anyway, here's the inside scoop:
Most magazines that are owned by huge media conglomerates will giveaway subscriptions and/or heavily discount them in order to
pump up their numbers. The giveaways are called "comps", and that's how you will find various magazine's in lawyers and doctors offices (plus, by giving those kinds of places subscriptions, they are able to
pump up their reader demographics and say things like their average reader makes $150,000 a year). This is true for all types of magazines, not just sailing.
In any case, Bob - being his own publisher and otherwise a non-conformist - will not play that game. Although he does have a comp list, it is for advertisers of the magazine. Other than that, every subscriber is paying essentially the same rate. I think the lowest you can find ($29.95/yr) is at places like Amazon, with the only problem being they have no control and can be slow in fulfilling orders. The cheapest place to get a subscription is at the Lats & Atts booth at a boat show, where it's $25/yr and you get some "cheap and shoddy gifts". Of course, not everyone can make it to one of those shows. You can order it directly on the Lats & Atts site, where it's $34.95/yr. At least that way you're dealing directly with the source, and not with a middleman.
Why does Bob do this? He says that he can look an advertiser directly in the eye and honestly say that virtually every subscriber is either a sailor, a cruiser, or a future sailor/cruiser, and that by paying the subscription price they really want the magazine - not because it was given away.
Say what you like about him, but I can tell you Bob's approach and honesty has sometimes held back the magazine business-wise, but he sleeps with a clear conscience.
Now, after saying all that, I can't wait to read the negative posts from those that can't stand him or the mag...
"Always approach the dock at the speed you wish to hit it."
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