Powerboat Magazine Sold

I used to buy Powerboat back in the '70s and '80s. It introduced me to the world of jet boats, flatbottoms, drag boats, OPC tunnel hulls, and inboard racing. I stopped renewing my subscription, however when they stopped reporting on any kind of boat I would ever possibly afford, in other words anything under 20 feet.

Eric

I happen to like Boating, Powerboat, and Trailer Boats. But something's gotta give. I wonder who will get the axe.

This doesn't surprise me. Affinity has been shopping Powerboat and Trailer Boats on the market for some time, and Bonnier was the logical purchaser. Terry Snow and his crew will probably do a very good job with it -- maybe even get some much needed circulation. Snow is a real niche publishing success story. He started "Water Ski" magazine from very humble beginnings and built a solid publishing empire of "special interest" magazines. It will be interesting to see where they take the magazines now. Hats off to Bob Nordskog for keeping Powerboat going for all those years, and much admiration to Ralph Poole and his entire family for starting Trailer Boats and making it into a class publication.

It's official, and the news isn't good. Bonnier has purchased both Powerboat and Trailer Boats magazine from Affinity, however the decision is to cease publishing both magazines at this time. Subscribers will be given an opportunity to select from a number of other Bonnier titles (i.e. Boating, Water Ski, Wakeboarding, etc.) in order to fulfill their subscription obligation. Sorry to see an icon of the performance industry go away like this!

... so they bought them just to shut them down? I don't get it? Wouldn't they just die on their own?

Originally Posted by Tom Brown

... so they bought them just to shut them down? I don't get it? Wouldn't they just die on their own?

Probably didn't want someone else to come in and purchase them to keep publishing them. Less competition.

If true would be for the 15,000 subs
most likely.

Dear PB:

The closing of Powerboat Magazine has now left a void in the publishing world of performance boating. It is unfortunate but a sign of publishing economics at work. It is my hope Performance Boats Magazine will now take the helm for the performance boaters magazine needs.

As a performance boater the only magazine of substance for the Offshore and Lake boater is now Performance Boats Magazine. It is my hope and wish the staff and Editor of "Performance Boats" will step up and fill the shoes for all the Powerboat subscribers including myself. Offering more boat tests, drive evaluations, engine options and the like where performance boaters can obtain hard data on the products of interest in a printed format.

The demise of printed media is over exaggerated as I eagerly look forward to receiving my magazines and use them to reflect back on boat tests, products and vendors. The public and vendors have entered a new age of information technology. Those groups accessorize their printed magazine with online content...however, the printed media is still king in my book and coffee table.

In addition, it is my hope that Performance Boats magazine can combine their coverage of the lake and offshore editions to provide a comprehensive publication that everyone will enjoy. If merging the two editions is not feasible. I would suggest a subscription rate for both at a rate which makes sense.

I would encourage those Performance Boats forum members who are not subscribers to please sign up and support the magazine.

Very truly yours,

KAP

Subscriber

This is not true, is it? Performance boat owners need a specific monthly magazine. I do not care who it is. This is a forum so there is no sales pitch from me. I have seen a new magazine on the shelf published by a well know company. Loved it! It had all sorts of new info and insite. The loss of this publication is so wierd. This is not adequet. I love the different tests, reviews, and makeovers of older boats. Performance boat owners like the different input from each test team. To lose this publication would hurt the powerboat community. Everyone who saves and looks back on old boat tests need these magazines. It helps educate anyone looking at older boat tests, tech help, races,and poker runs. Keep our fingers crossed that the new publication owner likes performance boats and maybe even has GREEN in the garage

Are you a subscriber to Performance Boats Magazine or just a forum member?

Originally Posted by Six to Six

To lose this publication would hurt the powerboat community.

I'm with you on that but it also helps the community.

While I don't enjoy seeing them go, I expect it will provide a welcome infusion of interest to the magazines that are still around. The magazine that sponsors this site, for example, might pick up a slice of the energy released by the turning down of Powerboat Magazine.

I'm still waiting for my last paid issues of HotBoat and my damned T-shirt......

Originally Posted by Tom Brown

I'm with you on that but it also helps the community.

While I don't enjoy seeing them go, I expect it will provide a welcome infusion of interest to the magazines that are still around. The magazine that sponsors this site, for example, might pick up a slice of the energy released by the turning down of Powerboat Magazine.

Ahhhh, good "ol "The Glass is Half Full" Brown......Canadian Optimist extrordinaire

Take dem' lemons and give 'em lemonade!!!!!! Find that silver lining.....

It's the circle of life, Texi.

Three companies sell toilet paper in a small town. Sales drop 30%. One company goes out of business. The other two are buoyed to a level similar to before the recession.

It's harsh. It hurts a lot of really good people. ... but it's the way of the world.

I'm sorry you had to learn how this unpleasant business cycle works from me, Texi. I'll try to keep it more positive in the future.

Funny that this specific post rates so highly on Google!
What I'd like to know is how does snowmobiling have SOOOOOO many magazines in publication while the performance boating sector is hanging by a string to ONE BI-Monthly published option?!?
I have been a subscriber to 'em all, including the current Performance Boats. Yes I'm a forum member AND pay yearly to support this seemingly dying breed of my favorite reading.
I hope dearly it stays afloat, and more join back in! How can such a high dollar market loose all the publications that it has in the recent years?
Maybe that low dollar, DIY performance market shouldn't be so ignored. I REALLY liked Family & Performance Boats, I still have EVERY SINGLE issue they published. I was completely blown away when Buckaroo cut them, now we've lost POWERBOAT too?!!??
I'm feeling the same way all over again.
Yes I have all my old issues of that mag, and HOT BOAT, and PERFORMANCE BOATS too, (plus most of the EXTREM BOATS as well)
Why guys, why is such a high dollar market unable to support several publications? (Again look at the snowmobile marketplace, small segment but they have like 6-8 long running, very popular magazines!)
Personally I like to read more about how a shade tree mechanic can add a crossover kit in his driveway over the weekend rather than the latest $250,000+ hot rod I'll most likely never own, but I too do see the appeal to dream.
wowchad

Originally Posted by WOWCHAD

Funny that this specific post rates so highly on Google!
What I'd like to know is how does snowmobiling have SOOOOOO many magazines in publication while the performance boating sector is hanging by a string to ONE BI-Monthly published option?!?
I have been a subscriber to 'em all, including the current Performance Boats. Yes I'm a forum member AND pay yearly to support this seemingly dying breed of my favorite reading.
I hope dearly it stays afloat, and more join back in! How can such a high dollar market loose all the publications that it has in the recent years?
Maybe that low dollar, DIY performance market shouldn't be so ignored. I REALLY liked Family & Performance Boats, I still have EVERY SINGLE issue they published. I was completely blown away when Buckaroo cut them, now we've lost POWERBOAT too?!!??
I'm feeling the same way all over again.
Yes I have all my old issues of that mag, and HOT BOAT, and PERFORMANCE BOATS too, (plus most of the EXTREM BOATS as well)
Why guys, why is such a high dollar market unable to support several publications? (Again look at the snowmobile marketplace, small segment but they have like 6-8 long running, very popular magazines!)
Personally I like to read more about how a shade tree mechanic can add a crossover kit in his driveway over the weekend rather than the latest $250,000+ hot rod I'll most likely never own, but I too do see the appeal to dream.
wowchad

Well Said !