Sailing Magazines
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The only one I subscribe to is Good Old Boat, which I really like for the balance of DIY articles, reviews of old boats and some practical articles on things like sail trim, how to use a traveler etc. I find the glossy mags are just there to advertise new boats (nothing wrong with that, but I'm not a new boat customer). There are a few free online mags as well that are quite good like "The Coastal Passage".
The Coastal Passage Home Page
The Coastal Passage Home Page
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I've subscribed and dropped most of them over time. None seem to be able to write enough new material each month to be worth it. I just grab one every once in a while from the magazine stand. Probably the same cost as subscribing, albeit I get fewer issues, but they don't pile up. I bet I grab Sail the most.
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I love good old boat.. couple that with Wooden Boat and Small Craft Advisor and I have a nice supply of bathroom reading material
Occasionally I will grab some English mags too. I really love the articles and pictures in "Classic yacht". There are boats there I cannot afford to step aboard
Occasionally I will grab some English mags too. I really love the articles and pictures in "Classic yacht". There are boats there I cannot afford to step aboard
And once you subscribe to any magazine, it seems impossible to unsubscribe.
Cruising World just keeps coming
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GO for "GOOD OLD BOAT"
The ONLY one worth the $$
Greg
The ONLY one worth the $$
Greg
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GOB's tag line is, "The sailing magazine for the rest of us". That is really true. Their focus is on classic plastic. For me, it is a bonus that they are based in the US Midwest, so, tend to see articles about boats that are in my area.
I tire of the other magazines with review of the next 50' pie-shaped 'cruiser'. (No offense to anyone with a pie-shaped boat)
I tire of the other magazines with review of the next 50' pie-shaped 'cruiser'. (No offense to anyone with a pie-shaped boat)
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Depends what you're looking for.
SAIL: Diverse content from cruising to racing, new boats, new gear, author/editor worth reading: Charlie Doane
Cruising World: Obviously cruiser focused, high-end (>$200k) new boats, destination guides, occasional "classic plastic" reviews, author/editor worth reading: Capt. Fatty Goodlander
Sailing World: Racing focus (I've never tried this one, so I can't comment)
Yachting World: An "across the pond" sailing perspective from the UK. Author/editor worth reading: Toby Hodges
SAILING: Oversized and usually full of great photography to accompany the text. Author/editor worth reading: Bob Perry
Good Old Boat: Lots of how-to articles, focused on older boats. Pricey and only published 6-times per year. Author/editor worth reading: Greg Nestor
Practical Sailor: Independent tests, the "Consumer Reports" of sailing mags.
Bluewater Sailing: Offshore sailing boats, gear and destinations.
There's at least some decent content in all of the above, but he ads and price are just something you're either ok with or annoyed by. I personally don't mind the ads because I like to keep up on the latest boats and gear and understand the business model that brings some excellent writers to the mainstream.
Personally, I've mostly migrated over to reading blogs. I like the personal connection, timely posts, lack of editorial oversight (mostly), and creativity. Several of the above magazine authors/editors also have personal blogs (Doane, Perry, etc.) that are very well written and offer more depth and free speech than what you'll find in the print publications.
My own website/blog (SailFarLiveFree.com) is sort of maturing into the sailing magazine I'd produce if someone handed over the keys to the Editor-in-Chief's office.
SAIL: Diverse content from cruising to racing, new boats, new gear, author/editor worth reading: Charlie Doane
Cruising World: Obviously cruiser focused, high-end (>$200k) new boats, destination guides, occasional "classic plastic" reviews, author/editor worth reading: Capt. Fatty Goodlander
Sailing World: Racing focus (I've never tried this one, so I can't comment)
Yachting World: An "across the pond" sailing perspective from the UK. Author/editor worth reading: Toby Hodges
SAILING: Oversized and usually full of great photography to accompany the text. Author/editor worth reading: Bob Perry
Good Old Boat: Lots of how-to articles, focused on older boats. Pricey and only published 6-times per year. Author/editor worth reading: Greg Nestor
Practical Sailor: Independent tests, the "Consumer Reports" of sailing mags.
Bluewater Sailing: Offshore sailing boats, gear and destinations.
There's at least some decent content in all of the above, but he ads and price are just something you're either ok with or annoyed by. I personally don't mind the ads because I like to keep up on the latest boats and gear and understand the business model that brings some excellent writers to the mainstream.
Personally, I've mostly migrated over to reading blogs. I like the personal connection, timely posts, lack of editorial oversight (mostly), and creativity. Several of the above magazine authors/editors also have personal blogs (Doane, Perry, etc.) that are very well written and offer more depth and free speech than what you'll find in the print publications.
My own website/blog (SailFarLiveFree.com) is sort of maturing into the sailing magazine I'd produce if someone handed over the keys to the Editor-in-Chief's office.
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Well, it's long been a popular sport, and a virtual staple on sailing forums, for folks to gripe about how crappy the current crop of sailing magazines are
However, I sometimes have to wonder how many are actually looking at the rags they're dissing…
Take the current issue of CRUISING WORLD, for instance… The 3 main features - all featuring wonderful photography - are about sailing to St Helena, and the Cape Verdes, and from Webb Chiles sailing his Moore 24 across the Pacific. 2 places very few of us will ever get to see, and one voyage very few of us will ever undertake… In addition, there is a piece by Jimmy Cornell on his decision to abandon his quest to do the Norrthwest Passage this year, and a superb article by the renowned designer Dudley Dix on his capsize in the Cape Town - Rio race last year…
All I can say is, if you're really "tired" of reading about such subjects, you've been reading sailing rags for a hell of a lot longer than I have…
)One of my favorites not yet mentioned, is LATITUDE 38… Always entertaining and informative, and the price is definitely right...
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To be perfectly honest, from the perspective of a retired outdoor writer, the vast majority of the sailing magazines are garbage, poorly written and while I still have a subscription to Sail that my wife gave me, I'll let it expire with no chance of renewal. GOB can be listed in the fair category, mainly because it provides you with some interesting "How To" articles and a reasonable number of accompanying photos.
Now, on the subject of boat reviews, there are far too many, and has anyone ever seen a bad review of a boat? They don't exist in print media. This is because print media survives only upon the whimsical dollars dished out by the advertisers. Piss off an advertiser and there goes the magazine, right down the tube.
Many magazines have third class mailing permits, and as such, they must comply with certain constraints when it comes to advertising V/S articles. If I recall correctly, in order to retain that third class postage permit, the content must be 60 percent editorial and a maximum of 40 percent advertising. Of course, things such as product reviews, are a great loophole to get around this. A product review, even though it's nothing more than an advertisement, is considered editorial.
Free publications, Prop Talk, Etc..., publications given away at stores and the shows, are exempt from this. They can do pretty much anything they want, and often have far more advertising than editorial content. However, if they want to mail that freebee out to you, it has to go first class, which is very expensive.
Bottom line: you're much better off purchasing some good books from Amazon, Kindle, etc.... They tend to be well written and provide a greater number of entertainment hours for the buck.
Cheers,
Gary
Now, on the subject of boat reviews, there are far too many, and has anyone ever seen a bad review of a boat? They don't exist in print media. This is because print media survives only upon the whimsical dollars dished out by the advertisers. Piss off an advertiser and there goes the magazine, right down the tube.
Many magazines have third class mailing permits, and as such, they must comply with certain constraints when it comes to advertising V/S articles. If I recall correctly, in order to retain that third class postage permit, the content must be 60 percent editorial and a maximum of 40 percent advertising. Of course, things such as product reviews, are a great loophole to get around this. A product review, even though it's nothing more than an advertisement, is considered editorial.
Free publications, Prop Talk, Etc..., publications given away at stores and the shows, are exempt from this. They can do pretty much anything they want, and often have far more advertising than editorial content. However, if they want to mail that freebee out to you, it has to go first class, which is very expensive.
Bottom line: you're much better off purchasing some good books from Amazon, Kindle, etc.... They tend to be well written and provide a greater number of entertainment hours for the buck.
Cheers,
Gary
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I find it entertaining to compare reviews with the vendor's product sheet. Most often little has changed, including errors.
And 90% of test sails occur in very light winds, "but we could feel the boats potential...." Now, it is possible that is when most people sail (motor), from what I've seen.
And 90% of test sails occur in very light winds, "but we could feel the boats potential...." Now, it is possible that is when most people sail (motor), from what I've seen.
++ on that. GOB is the only one for me at the moment.
Thanks for the Link Copacabana, interesting magazine.
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Funny. A received a copy of Cruising World just the other day. The subscription expired years ago.
As for content in general, any of them could have an article I would like to read. None of them have an article in every single issue I find engaging. The more I think about it, the more I like my magazine stand approach. Buy what I feel like reading and jump to the publisher that did the best job this month.
Truth is, I probably buy one every other month.
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Still find
Ocean Navigator
Practical Sailor
Blue Water Sailing
Worthwhile
Bride reads them in the potty too. Then we discuss stuff. Think we both learn something from every issue of those 3. Dropped Sailing ( too race oriented) and will drop Sail and Cruising World then they come do. I don't charter. I have the boat of my dreams. other than Nigel's articles don't learn much.
Ocean Navigator
Practical Sailor
Blue Water Sailing
Worthwhile
Bride reads them in the potty too. Then we discuss stuff. Think we both learn something from every issue of those 3. Dropped Sailing ( too race oriented) and will drop Sail and Cruising World then they come do. I don't charter. I have the boat of my dreams. other than Nigel's articles don't learn much.
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Ok I confess a bit of thread drift but how many would be interested in or watch a video magazine particularly for maintenance and DIY type things? For that matter boat reviews and places done in a video format as well. Would that be a more appealing format given the changing demographics and widespread use of tablets and smart phones? I personally still like to hold a paper mag in my hands but confess I find myself watching more and more video.
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I have subscriptions to Sail and Cruising World, both of which cost $1 or less per issue. I get Yachting for free (as part of my admission fee to the Newport Boat Show) as well. I don't feel the need or have the interest to read them cover to cover, but I almost always find something of interest every month in each of them. While I like many of the columnists, I agree that there is a creeping sameness to a lot of the rest of the editorial content.
I used to subscribe to Sailing, but let that lapse years ago. Loved the pictures, but I thought the articles were lower quality. While I was at the Newport show this year, I was also bamboozled by Jody to sign up for Cruisers Outpost (the old Latitudes and Attitudes by a different name). I subscribed to Latts and Atts for a year or two, but got tired of that too. It's been a few years, and the new mag is only published four times a year, which I think makes more sense for it's irreverant format. I'm looking forward to getting my smaller dose of Bob Bitchin.
Here in New England, we have the very non-glossy freebie "Windcheck". I really like that too.
I used to subscribe to Sailing, but let that lapse years ago. Loved the pictures, but I thought the articles were lower quality. While I was at the Newport show this year, I was also bamboozled by Jody to sign up for Cruisers Outpost (the old Latitudes and Attitudes by a different name). I subscribed to Latts and Atts for a year or two, but got tired of that too. It's been a few years, and the new mag is only published four times a year, which I think makes more sense for it's irreverant format. I'm looking forward to getting my smaller dose of Bob Bitchin.
Here in New England, we have the very non-glossy freebie "Windcheck". I really like that too.
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I have a subscription to Good Old Boat. I pick up Sail and Cruising World for light reading on trains when traveling back and forth between DC and NYC. I confess I enjoy not a little, the surprised look of other passengers. Might have something to do with the fact that in Union Station anyway, they keep the sailing magazines with the porn and Guns & Ammo. Guess girls aren't supposed to read them.
I checked out the new Cruising Outpost and I'm sad to say it was dreadful. I've seen better editing and layout in high school newspapers. I'd like to see them succeed so I hope they improve from their freshman effort.
Yes, there are lots of ads. And reviews of boats I can't afford. But lots of stories of sailing trips too, which is what I principally like to read.
I checked out the new Cruising Outpost and I'm sad to say it was dreadful. I've seen better editing and layout in high school newspapers. I'd like to see them succeed so I hope they improve from their freshman effort.
Yes, there are lots of ads. And reviews of boats I can't afford. But lots of stories of sailing trips too, which is what I principally like to read.
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Jon - I have to admit I haven't seen Sail magazine in a while. Stopped getting that one b/c it wasn't directed toward sailors like me. I get Cruising World for the reasons you mentioned in this past issue. I get GOB because it makes me happy.
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Back in the 1990s I used to subscribe to "Sailing Quarterly" video (VHS tape)
magazine. I liked it a LOT, but the cost was high. And you only got 4 tapes per year. With the advent of Youtube & the like (in my opinion) it would be well worth revisiting the idea!
You might start a separate thread on this subject!
Greg
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