Yachting magazine, a personal interest magazine, is devoted to covering the finest yachts and yacht charters plus the latest electronics and equipment. The magazine is for affluent boating enthusiasts who can afford the luxury yachts and vacations and maybe for those who wish they could. The magazine has been publishing for 95 years - since 1907. Over 132,000 readers consult the magazine for reviews of luxury yachts and marine equipment. There really isn't too much inside, otherwise to make the magazine worth the $5.00 cover price.
General Overview
In each issue,
Yachting carries about 10-12 reviews on various luxury motor yachts and sailing yachts. There are also reviews of hot exciting new marine gear, software and electronic equipment.
Yachting also covers destination articles - mostly yacht charter vacations. In addition,
Yachting magazine has limited coverage of boating news, major boating shows, fishing gear, yacht propulsion equipment, safety issues and serious marine topics. The main focus of
Yachting magazine is covering the magnificent power and sailing yachts you'll find displayed on covers.
Every issue has a centerpiece feature. For '02, January has
The Yachting Registry - a guide to the world's best custom boat builders. February has
The Miami International Boat Show Preview - the largest boat show in the world. March has
The Summer Charter - a listing of the top charter companies and crewed charter yachts. May has
Power - diesel and gasoline propulsion, hull shapes, props and more. June has
Luxury Yacht Showcase - the top 10 custom luxury yacht launches of the previous year that are 100 - 125 feet. August is the
Refit Special. September has
The Winter Charter. October is
The Fall Boat Show issue. November is
Luxury Yacht Showcase Part II - boats over 125 feet. December has
The Best of Yachting Destinations.
Covers, Organization, Layout
The glossy
covers always depict luxury yachts.
Covers are very appealing and so are the expensive yachts featured. This month's Aug '02 issue showcases the Legacy 52. Several articles are listed on the cover but they don't detract from the beauty of the photo. The
Table of Contents is concisely arranged on one page. Contents are organized into
Features and
Departments. The magazine's
layout is good. Almost all articles are completed on succeeding pages. Although page numbers are listed for all the
Features and
Departments, they aren't listed for the sub sections within the departments. Otherwise,
Yachting is very reader-friendly. It creatively uses a variety of photos, illustrations, drawings, diagrams, charts, cut-out views, fold outs, even black and white photography. The layout of articles is appeal to the eye and uncluttered looking.
Ads, Photography
Over 60% of the pages are
ads. In the August issue - except for the final photography page of magazine - the editorial content effectively ends at page 104. The remainder of the magazine's 192 pages are all
ads. There is plenty of
ads in the first 104 pages, as well. Just to reach the
Table of Contents, readers must flip through 6 full pages of
ads. There are another 7 pages of
ads to reach the first editorial page. The
ads are mostly marine-related - new or pre-owned luxury power yachts and sailing yachts, boat insurance companies, shipyards, marinas, charter companies, design companies & expensive nautical electronic equipment. There are also consumer-related
ads for luxury cars, tires, high-end consumer products and liquor that may appeal to readers. Although ads overwhelm the magazine, they are relevant to readers' interests and thus are not as annoying as the numbers seem to suggest.
Ads are more annoying to readers when they aren't interested in them. The
Photography is great; interior and exterior shots of the luxury yachts are wonderful and inviting.
Features
All the magazine
Features are mainly 4-6 page stories about new luxury yachts, re-fits (pre-owned yachts being extensively refurbished and upgraded) and the yachting life (amenities, cuisine and service aboard a charter yacht.) "
Born Again" (Aug '02) has two articles about shipyards that perform major facelifts on two yachts. There are plenty of photographs with interior and exterior views as well as shots of work under progress. Completely absent is the cost factor, however. The rest of this month's
Features are on new yachts. "
Home Maker" is an article about The Fleming 75 with a price tag of about $3.5 million. The four-page article includes a performance chart, interior and exterior photographs and a diagram. The text is descriptive and includes all pertinent facts about the yacht. The other features are similar; one is on a sailing yacht costing $4.5 million. The
Features are interesting reads and are well written.
Departments
Departments appear in the middle of the editorial content of the magazine. They are divided into
Cross Currents, Electronics, On the Docks & Superyacht Report. These are the departments containing sub sections.
Cross Currents is a popular department carrying short synopsis of news and notes from the world of boating. There's information about new Motoryachts being built or launched and trophy winners of various races.
Cross Currents includes a very brief boating
Calendar listing boat shows, races and other events and the
I Beg To Differ crossfire column, written by Jay Coyle and Dudley Dawson. This column has short debates on a marine topic by two correspondents on opposite sides of the fence. Too bad it isn't longer. There is minimal friendly bantering and it's an interesting short read. I wish there was more of a give and take discussion. Each one just basically presents his side.
Telltales is column written by Editor-at-Large. He focuses on the humorous side of marine life and the things that often go wrong. This month he has a tale about his simple catboat named Puss. It's a fun fluff piece just for entertainment.
New Gear lists and pictures several new interesting marine products. Prices range from $350-$3,290.
On the Water and
Cruising Yachtsman cover destination, charter and seamanship stories. April's issue has a nice article on Charleston SC called "
Low Country Queen" and is mostly about the area's past history. Although the article covers the flavor of the area, its people, sights and food, it is in a general way - very short on detail. The narrative is picturesque but that's it. December '01 issue has a destination piece called "
The World's Finest Islands" with shorts on 15 different islands including Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands; Moorea, Society Islands; Baths, Virgin Gorda and Maui, Hawaiian Islands. The island information is again too brief and general. There is a slightly better destination article in the same issue called "
Well-Seasoned Spot" about Red Bay, Labrado. This one has a little more mention of specific sightseeing activities and history - it is also longer. Another so-called destination article in the Aug '02 issue called "
Brokers Are The Deal" isn't even a destination article at all. It's a humorous piece on the advantages of using professionals to sell your yacht. The setting is a yacht so the magazine labels it a destination article.
Most of the other destination articles are about charter yacht vacations, as is the one in the current issue called "
Flavorful Fun." The articles are quite descriptive and entertaining to read. I hate to say it but these articles sound more like advertising for the charter companies than real honest vacation stories. None of them ever mentions anything going wrong on the trips. We never even hear where the yacht docks. There are never any weather delays, rough waters or seasickness reported. Everything is absolutely perfect. Readers only hear raves about the amenities and the food. It makes you wonder! I don't know about your vacations, but mine usually have some mishaps. If you're curious about what a charter vacation costs, a week aboard the 100-foot Azimut Jumbo Melimar costs $33,500, plus expenses, for up to 6 guests. This is one guest's fourth charter in 18 months. I wonder if he's single? Wish I could afford just one of these "perfect" vacations.
Electronic is an interesting and informative section that covers announcements and previews of new marine gadgets. It covers the same electronic equipment that other boating magazines do. Prices are included and some of the reviews are not just shorts with general information on the product that sound like they come directly from the manufacturer. They are several pages of product and software analysis by boat owners who have hand-on knowledge of them. Negatives are briefly mentioned but mostly these are positive reviews.
Roundup has briefer,less insightful reviews of several new products with widely varying price tags from - $600-$14,000.
On the Docks includes the sections
News & Notes,
On Board (reviews and test runs of yachts),
Small Craft Advisory and
Design. The watercraft highlighted this month in
News & Notes has a price tag of $367, 450.
Design is one of the most popular section but it sounds more like manufacturer advertising to me as do the
News & Notes &
Small Craft Advisory sections.
Small Craft Advisory previews and reviews boats under 35 feet in length. The department includes news and information about outboard motors, sterndrives and inflatable boats. The smaller crafts have much lower price tags of $48,271-$240,000. The length and detail of the reviews match the lower price tags. Noted designers such as Chuck Paine sometimes supplement the
Yachting magazine staff in previewing new yacht designs, power and sail.
On Board is a monthly department that reviews and tests the latest powerboats and sailing yachts. It is a more useful section because the two yachts are actually test-driven. The magazine devotes 2-4 pages to each yacht and includes very detailed descriptive text, diagrams, performance data and several photographs. These crafts have price tags of $800,000 - $825,000. Background history on the craft, a detailed account of styling, ventilation, engine room, amenities plus lots of other information is always included. Reports and tests are always positive. I'm hoping all prospective buyers will do further research on the crafts and not just rely on these tests and reviews. The reports rarely mention anything that is seriously deficient. Only truly minor imperfections are alluded to and are quickly glossed over by further mention of more positive features that detracts readers' attention away from any negative aspects. Reviews seem to deliberately bury any negative comments among all the positives. Remember, the yacht yards, charter companies & designers are the advertisers. The magazine can't afford to anger the advertisers.
Other
departments without subsections are
From the Masthead, From the Readers &
In Our Wake.
Mastheads is the letter from the editor. He usually talks about integrity and being responsible boat owners. Although the editor, himself, talks a good talk, I don't think you see real integrity in the editorial reviews and tests. Some readers criticize him for this. This month he talks about not only taking home all your own trash but asks readers to volunteer to clean up beaches, riverfronts, lake shores and waterways around the world for the 17th annual International Coastal Cleanup on September 21st.
From Readers is a very short section of letters. This month there are only 4 brief ones and a one sentence comment. One letter from a yacht design company thanks the magazine for its positive reviews of the company's designs. In another, a reader praises the editor for his ethical commitments; the third questions the integrity of the boat tests. So do I. I guess the affluent are too busy spending their money to send letters to the editor.
In Our Wake closes issues. This is mainly a photographic piece. This month it depicts an unfortunate accident and demonstrates how not to pick up a mooring.
Other columns appear infrequently.
Performance is an informative column that focuses on the latest developments in drive trains, engines, generators, props and related yacht propulsion equipment.
Lifelines is an occasional column that examines safety issues onboard.
Power Play, written by Jay Coyle, examines real-life, on-the-water issues that affect powerboat enthusiasts. I wish the magazine carried these columns more often.
Writers, Writing Style & Readers
The staff is composed of marine journalists, photographers, correspondents and senior editors. Ship designers occasionally write some of the design stories. Articles are well written and quite descriptive. Most of the writing is straightforward, entertaining and informative-if you can trust what the reviews and tests say. A couple of articles are quite humorous.
Yachting magazine targets experienced, affluent boating enthusiasts who wants information on what to buy and how to use it.
Publisher & Website
The publisher of
Yachting magazine is Time4 Media Marine Group. It also publishes
Motorboating and
Salt Water Sportsman. Visit
Yachting magazine's Website www.yachtingnet.com for boat reviews, pre-owned and new boat brokers, destination articles, electronic information, calendar and marine forecasts. Read current articles in the magazine as well as some past articles. Participate in forums and link to other interesting sites. The site is quick to load, easy to navigate and has lots of relevant information for boating enthusiasts. Subscribe online and receive 3 trial issues. If you are satisfied, receive the remaining 9 issues - 12 in all - for $14.97. That's a 75% saving off the newsstand price! Subscribing through the postcard inside issues, though, will cost more money. Receive 12 issues for $19.97, which is less than $1.67 per issue or a saving of only 66 off the cover price. You will also receive a "free" yachting captain's bag. The best deal I found is to subscribe through www.magazinevalues.com and receive 12 issues for $3.33-a saving of 97%. I use this site all the time but there are some restrictions. You can link directly from the Epinions.com site. Cover price is $5.00
Final Thoughts
For readers who simply enjoy exploring new yachts before visiting boat shows,
Yachting magazine is as good as any of the other boating magazines. Just don't expect much else inside the magazine except plenty of ads. A friend of mine just purchased a boat based on an ad from
Yachting magazine. He did call his dealer, though, to find out what he thought of the boat first. He also went to examine the boat first hand with his maintenance guy and decide what electronics it still needed. It's a sports fisherman. So, for those looking to buy a new boat, the ads are very helpful.
I think the destination articles are weak and superficial although they are inspirational. The charter vacation stories are just too rosy and only contain entertaining information on food and amenities. I question the validity of the boat reviews/tests as I do of those in most boating magazines. All of them are always way too positive.
The August '02 issue has 12 boat reviews. Not one of them is negative. No issue ever has negative boat reviews. Any minor shortcomings are glossed over quickly. The closest thing to a criticism of one yacht is pointing out the need for another hanging locker. The reviewer then says he doesn't know where it would fit, anyway. About another yacht, a reviewer states: "If I have one complaint about the 59 Mercurious, it is that she is, in a sense, too good." I'm sure the new owners could mention several improvements they'd like to see after going out for only one ride. Reviewers find very few negatives to mention, but then again remember most of these yachts are high-end watercrafts with big price tags. If these yachts are all so perfectly designed, why are there always new design improvements being announced?
I much prefer to read
Boating magazine or maybe, even
Power & Motoryacht.
Power & Motoryacht magazine, however, has the most ads - about 73% of content but it has the best destination articles.
Boating magazine and
Power & Motoryacht magazine don't have any coverage on sailing yachts. Boat testing is more rigorous in
Power & Motoryacht.
Boating carries the most boat tests.
Boating Magazine has a wider range of coverage on all aspects of boating than does
Yachting magazine. It carries maintenance articles and advice columns on buying, maintaining and handling your boat. There are also terminology columns, fishing articles and skill sections. I think the boating news stories are more interesting in
Boating magazine.
Yachting, however, carries the most stories about charter yacht vacations.
All in all, I say, save your money and pass on this magazine and instead buy
Boating magazine. If you are interested, here are my other boat magazine reviews. All magazines, by the way, run around the same price.
The Difference Between Men & Boys- Let's Talk Boating Toys - Boating magazine
http://www.epinions.com/content_52708216452
Give These Beauties a Whistle - Power & Motoryacht magazine
http://www.epinions.com/content_66889092740
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