Keeping Ahead of the Curve

I am at that stage in my life where weddings have been overtaken by baby showers. And at every dinner, backyard barbecue, event or celebration, I am surrounded by ever-increasing numbers of little ones.

With this new perspective, I have noticed that, not unlike the three furry little ones I have at my house, children have an instinctual draw to the shiny new object. No matter what they are doing or which toy they are playing with, the newest object in view is what they gravitate towards, as if by some invisible force. Now that I think about it, my husband also suffers from this affliction; in fact, I think we all do to varying degrees.

I suppose this is why each and every year we devote a large section of our Fall issue to what’s new and exciting for the upcoming model year. Whether we are in the market for a new boat or not, we are interested to know what’s coming down the pipeline.

When Mike Milne was researching our New for 2010 article late last summer, he expressed it was perhaps the most difficult year to date for getting information. Many manufacturers were updating models and lines, but very few had totally brand new introductions – probably in an effort to be somewhat conservative after a very trying year. For those that were bringing forward new models for 2010, photos, specs and info were not as readily available as usual. The lack of phone calls and emails from a frustrated Mike this year would suggest he has had a somewhat easier time of it.

Although manufacturers are still cautious about taking a dive into the deep end with the economic climate still chilly, they are definitely poking a tentative toe into the water. As I write this, I have not yet read Mike’s piece outlining the 2011 model year, but I have received several photos from marketing personnel at various companies that would suggest we will have much to report. So make sure you take a peek at the story on Page 36.

The information Mike collects also tends to set our schedule for new model testing for our Annual Test Issue, which we publish in early January. But Boats&Places readers don’t have to wait until then to get the scoop. By signing up for our free e-newsletter at BoaterNews.ca, you can get test previews to your inbox every week in December leading up to the Toronto Boat Show in the New Year.

There are also lots of new things in the works at our offices. As you may or may not be aware, we are a boating multimedia company with products encompassing video, print and internet. In order to stay ahead of the ever-evolving curve in this sector, we always have to be forward-thinking.

As far as Boats&Places is concerned, we will be launching an exciting new technology in our Winter three-pack that will make the magazines more interactive. We have also revamped our website at boatsandplaces.com, making it more content intensive.

In other internet news, all our sites are going mobile so you can research and browse online anywhere at anytime. We have launched a new website, CanadaBoatShow.com, where you can browse show exhibitors online and set up appointments with dealers at the show. In addition, PowerBoat Television (currently filming its 21st season) will be going broadband online in October.

We are also in the final stages of packaging our new Cruising DVDs, which cover the Rideau Canal and the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. For the fist time, we will have these DVDs available with both French and English commentary. As well, we will be offering a package that includes our previously recorded Thousand Islands DVDs – perfect for boaters looking to complete the popular Petite Cercle.

I think we are naturally drawn to new things because we intuitively know that new usually means improved. That’s why our team continually strives to keep ahead of the curve so our loyal readers get the best of boating news and stories in a way that’s interesting and innovative.