New magazine ready to power ahead

Pacific PowerBoat magazine. Photo / Supplied

A new magazine, aimed at those interested in powerboats of all sizes, will hit the shelves on both sides of the Tasman early next week.

Pacific PowerBoat is the result of a merger between Pacific MotorYacht and Propeller magazines. Both were published by the D&B Publishing team of Doug Dukeson and Barry Thompson, as is the new title.

Thompson, the editor, says the idea is to deliver one magazine that covers the powerboat market, from a 4-metre trailerboat to a 30-metre motoryacht. "There will be no sailing yachts," he says.

Thompson says, the magazine will offer more detailed and in-depth features likely to interest both trailerboat and cruiser owners. It will remain as a bi-monthly publication but will be far larger than either of its predecessors.

"This means added value for readers. They get twice the magazine for the same cost."

The first issue, due to hit bookshelves early next week, is 180 pages and will sell for $10, including GST.

D&B Publishing launched Propeller in 1996. Launch & MotorYacht followed two years later. It was renamed Pacific MotorYacht in 2000 as the company expanded their distribution into Australia.

Dukeson says Pacific MotorYacht has for some years been accepted as an Australasian magazine. "We now plan to continue that theme into the trailerboat market with Pacific PowerBoat."

While many brands on both sides of the Tasman don't have local dealers, Dukeson believes this will change . "World trading seems to be becoming easier, with greater and more open global marketing, especially between New Zealand and Australia," he says.