Boating World launches new Web site, begins fall testing

Boating World Magazine recently launched a new Web site, offering such features as a virtual docking game, moderated forums, and video channels.

The new games area of BoatingWorldOnline.com lets visitors try their hand at boating games and traditional puzzles like word searches and crosswords.

Boaters can connect on the forums, moderated by executive editor Alan Jones, to trade tips, tricks and advice, and share stories about their boats or boating experiences. Also, current or past boat owners can share their knowledge about specific models through the site's user-submitted owner boat reviews.

The site's revamped video section features how-to demonstrations, boat tests, boating news, user-submitted videos and more.

The new site will also include content from the print magazine and users can comment on all stories and share them via e-mail and social networks.

Click here for the full release.

In other news, Boating World began off its annual fall boat testing roundup tour last week in Stillwater, Minn., on the St. Croix River.

Boatbuilders from the upper Midwest brought their newest models to the event for performance testing, photography and video. Video walkthroughs of all vessels will appear on BoatingWorld.com and in the magazine's digital edition. Product tests and photos will run in upcoming issues of Boating World.

"We're seeing a good number of new models being introduced for 2010," said Duncan McIntosh, publisher of Boating World, in a statement. "This speaks well for the optimism of American boatbuilders."

The Boating World test team will head to three other locations next month: Oct. 5-8, Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.; Oct. 12-16, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse, Ind.; and Oct. 20-23, Lake Lanier, Gainesville, Ga.

Boating World Magazine is published by Duncan McIntosh Co., publisher of Sea Magazine, The Log Newspaper and producer of the Newport Boat Show and Lido Yacht Expo.