Boat U.S. - March 2008 - (Page 4)

behindthebuoy The launch of the first digital edition of BoatU.S. Magazine in January generated a wide range of reactions from our readers. Rick Gilbride, for example, could not have been more complimentary: “I have been a proud member for 30 years and have never written to BoatU.S. until now because I felt you have always done a fantastic job with everything. A year ago I had to move from my home in Florida to Malaysia for two years and the web has become my contact with the U.S. One of the things I missed (after 30 years) was my BoatU.S. Magazine. Well, you can imagine my excitement when I received the e-mail this morning with my new cyber copy. Thank you so much from this member living on the South China Sea for making me a little less homesick!!! Keep up all the good hard work; it is appreciated by the silent majority.” For his part, one unnamed member of the “silent majority,” a self-proclaimed “geek” who is online most of the time he’s not afloat, wasn’t so silent in letting us know his opinion of the new digital edition. “I do most of my pleasure reading in the head, so please don’t even think about stopping the presses,” he said. “We have absolutely no intention of doing so,” we wrote back, assuring this reader that BoatU.S. will now be producing two versions of BoatU.S. Magazine: the printed version for those who prefer the “real thing” and the digital version for those who want to have a virtual magazine experience with a little something extra. For those of you unfamiliar with digital magazines, that little something extra includes the ability to keyword search the entire magazine. Being able to click on an advertiser’s web address and go directly to their web site without having to put down the magazine and firing up the computer is also a big advantage. Another great feature is the ability to copy a particular article and e-mail it to a friend. For those of us who are type-size challenged, you can increase the point size of the type, making it much easier on your eyes! You can even adjust the sound to hear the pages turn. Plus, for our readers who are now on their boats or planning some extended cruising, your digital magazine is as close as a computer and you don’t have to wait for your mail to catch up with you! Best of all, you don’t have to choose between receiving either version of the magazine. As a member in good standing, you can have both the print and digital version. In fact, 48% of those responding to our imbedded survey indicated that they would prefer to receive both versions. Of course, the key to receiving the digital version in the first place is providing BoatU.S. with your e-mail address since the digital version of the magazine is only sent to those members who have provided us with this point of contact. It’s easy, just e-mail us at Membership@BoatUS.com. Meanwhile, should you wish to save a boatload of trees from being cut down and transformed into a magazine, we would be more than happy to just send you the digital version and stop mailing you a printed version. So far, our survey results indicate that 28% of our readers would be happy getting just the digital version. It’s your choice. You can go digital-only by going to www.BoatUS.com/MagazineOptOut. For those readers who are undecided, our survey reveals that 75% of those who accessed the digital version of our January edition had a positive overall impression, with 92% saying the digital edition was easy to open/access and 68% indicating that the articles were easy to read. And, although the feedback to date has been very positive, new technologies are never rolled out without some problems. Some readers report having difficulties because of browser or bandwidth issues. If you run into such problems, our digital provider, Nxtbook Media, is available to help sort out your problems and can be contacted at Techsupport@ NxtbookMedia.com. So, sit back, relax and enjoy this latest issue knowing that as a member of Boat Owners Association of The United States, you can have it your way. Richard Schwartz Chairman & Founder Michael G. Sciulla Editor 4 BoatU.S. Magazine March 2008 http://www.BoatUS.com/MagazineOptOut

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Boat U.S. - March 2008

Boat U.S. - March 2008 Contents Behind the Buoy BoatU.S. Reports Member Forum Cap'n Drew Sailing the Sidewalk Aviators Ahoy Docking and Duffing Waterfront Living: Charleston Waterfront Marketplace Grady Right 2nd Time Around DIY: Keeping the Water Out Hot Tips Boat Smart Ask Chuck Foundation Findings Tangled Line At Your Service Good Foundations BoatU.S. Exchange Behind the Boat Where Our Flags Fly

Boat U.S. - March 2008

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