WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

[David Cockey]

From the WoodenBoat Store Newsletter, January 4, 2022:

WoodenBoat founder/owner Jon Wilson has sold the business! The "empire" includes four publications, WoodenBoat, Professional BoatBuilder, the on-line Small Boats Monthly Magazine, and the annual newsstand publication Small Boats magazine. And the sale includes The WoodenBoat School, The WoodenBoat Store (retail store and mail order business), WoodenBoat Books (60+ titles), The WoodenBoat Show, The WoodenBoat Forum, and on-line video membership Mastering Skills with the WoodenBoat School. Who bought all this? Two staffers: editor Matt Murphy, and publisher Andrew Breece. The transfer went into effect on January 1, 2022. Along with Jon's retirement (as the landlord, he will still be around the campus), are two other very long-serving folks: company president/general manager Jim Miller, and WoodenBoat School Director Rich Hilsinger. Jon started this company in 1974, so has been at the helm for 47 years. Jim and Rich hail back to the 1980s. Just wow!

[Dan McCosh]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

Great news. Sounds as if nothing much will change. Having spent my working career in the magazine business, I have been both a reader and admirer of the whole concept from its beginning.

[Hwyl]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

Good luck.

[Garret]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

I sure hope it works out well for all!

[Breakaway]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

News about the WB School's new director. He seems to have positive-minded changes in view.

https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/new-director-of-woodenboat-school-eyes-future-builders-to-continue-maine-legacy

Kevin

[Rich Jones]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

This is great news that it's been sold to employees rather than to a big conglomerate magazine firm.
I wish for WBM's continued success.
The business sold but I guess Jon Wilson still owns the property.

[LeeG]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

Congrats to all.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

I thought I should show support by subscribing on line but the “Subscribe Now” button wasn’t working.

[Rich Jones]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

I've been subscribing since Issue #16 and will continue until the end of my time.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

I used to subscribe but decided to support my local independent newsagent.

[John Gearing]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

47 years, oh my. Jon you deserve some time off! I remember when "the phone" was in a box nailed to a telephone pole and he had a bit of a hike to get to it! Back when the magazine was called "The Wooden Boat" or was it "The Woodenboat". No matter; the point is the "The" was in there. Matt Murphy's no kid...I think I remember him from the mid-90's?

[rbgarr]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

News about the WB School's new director. He seems to have positive-minded changes in view.

https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/new-director-of-woodenboat-school-eyes-future-builders-to-continue-maine-legacy

Kevin

Eric's a good guy and a good choice to follow Rich.

[StevenBauer]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

Interesting news. I wonder if more changes will follow.

[rbgarr]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

... when the magazine was called "The Wooden Boat" or was it "The Woodenboat".

Likewise when 'The Facebook' (which began as the annually printed photo book of all Harvard freshmen and Radcliffe first year women served as the 'hunting manual/social register' for upperclassmen) changed its name to just 'Facebook' when it went worldwide.

[rbgarr]

Re: WoodenBoat Sold to Matt Murphy and Andrew Breece

Interesting news. I wonder if more changes will follow.

Eric plans to increase the numbers of women instructors and participants and seek younger instructors from across the country and around the world. I imagine web content will gain importance also.