PWC Magazines

I subscribe to PWI magazine. This months issue is 90% about racing & riders. I like racing info, but I wish these PWC mags would do more stories for family rec types like myself. I think they all should review at least one new 'stock' PWC each issue & especially do their 'shootouts' earlier in the year to benefit people looking to buy in the spring. There needs to be more 'routine maintenance' tips, hull protection, etc. They could more stories about which states & lakes are 'PWC friendly' & just great places to ride & where to avoid. As with my boating mags, the PWC mags seem a little 'scared' to criticize a ski or point out flaws or needed improvements. (Afraid of losing ad revenues I guess) Tell what y'all think.

Keith T

It's the World Finals issue, right? I wish the magazines would be more about racing than family type stuff, to each his own.

With at least a 1 month lead time on issues and most manufacturers not releasing production models soon enough, it's just not possible to do shootouts very early in the season.

I totally agree Plus this NG should be more like that but what the hey, cant have everthing. Larry L>

Nonsense, I've looked at new 2001 models on the floor at my dealers now. The muscle craft test was in the June issue & the 3 seat luxury test in September. It is possible to do it earlier.

My Auto mags (Car & Driver) blast different car makes without concern for ads. It gives the reader or buter a more balanced view.

I subscribe to PWI magazine. This months issue is 90% about racing & riders. I like racing info, but I wish these PWC mags would do more stories for family rec types like myself. I think they all should review at least one new 'stock' PWC each issue & especially do their 'shootouts' earlier in the year to benefit people looking to buy in the spring. There needs to be more 'routine maintenance' tips, hull protection, etc. They could more stories about which states & lakes are 'PWC friendly' & just great places to ride & where to avoid. As with my boating mags, the PWC mags seem a little 'scared' to criticize a ski or point out flaws or needed improvements. (Afraid of losing ad revenues I guess) Tell what y'all think.

Keith T

I think my newsreader posted thread twice, don't know why. Sory about that

Keith T

You need to get Jetsports mag then. It no longer is racer friendly as it use to be all about racing. Now it's mostly rec riding stuff, unless it's World Finals time. Then it's ¼ racing and the rest rec riding stuff.

Well, let's see, there are what, 4 manufacturers left? Kawi, Yamaha, Polaris, and Sea-Doo. Total combined sales were around 100,000 last year supposedly. This is not a huge industry like the automotive industry. The pwc magazines don't have huge circulations and there are only 4 manufacturers left.

Just for a second, try to think like a businessman. Are you going to slam a craft and risk losing 25% of your manufacturer advertising? There is a fine line there, but given the state of the industry, I think we're lucky to still have a *choice* in magazines so I'll take what they put out, up to a point.

Darin,

I agree with you 100%. I'm just aggravated that reviews are not more often and in depth. That's why I read this group...because here you read real world experiences & get a variety of opinions which are valuable. I'm just spouting off my opinions of the mag. But don't you agree that they could do the 'shoot outs' a little sooner?

Keith T

<< Just for a second, try to think like a businessman. Are you going to slam a craft and risk losing 25% of your manufacturer advertising? >>

By the same token, there are only 4 or 5 PWC magazines. Do you think the manufacturer would like to loose 20-25% of their advertising exposure, there are no other places to advertise on a regular basis really unless they go to 'normal' media which would probably be cost prohibitive as advertising in higher circulation publications costs more.

I do agree, more and more detailed technical articles would be great! And reviews earlier in the season would certainly be beneficial to us all, but that would leave the zines with nothing to publish later in the season. Lets facew it, we are not exactly a major market, therefore we most compromise or be willing to pay more for publications.

One of the reasons Watercraft Power magazine died, is probably due to publishing some pretty ambitious tech articles, which meant spending money on the R&D equipment etc. and with sush small circulation just couldn't survive. I do believe this to be the best PWC magazine ever published.

<< , but given the state of the industry, I think we're lucky to still have a *choice* in magazines so I'll take what they put out, up to a point. >>

I agree, though they are getting increasingly boring what with the repetitive nature. Seems like they all have the same sources so they all report the same stories repeatedly.

When I was a newbee all magazines were new and exciting, but the longer I participate in this sport the more tired the rags get!

Mario temps are falling?