GIVING THE BOATING NEWSPAPER A NEW STEWARD
After years as owner and publisher, Dave Abrams decided The Log needed more than a buyer, it needed a steward. He chose the California Yacht Brokers Association to preserve the publication’s local identity, editorial character and connection to California’s boating and fishing communities.
By Fábio Borges, Every Media Productions
Long before Dave Abrams became the owner and publisher of The Log, he was one of its readers.
Abrams first picked up the Southern California boating newspaper after moving to the region in 1990. He read it when he owned a boat and even when he did not. He followed the stories, kept up with the community and, like countless readers, checked the boats for sale. Eventually, The Log became part of his weekends.
“Hanging out on the back of the boat reading The Log became a ritual on the weekends,” Abrams said. “And still is to this day.”
That personal connection would eventually shape one of the most important decisions in the publication’s history.
Carrying the Baton
The Log was founded in 1971 and has spent more than five decades chronicling California’s boating and fishing communities.
Abrams, owner of the Maritime Institute and now former owner and publisher of The Log, credits Duncan MacIntosh, who preceded him, with building the publication into what it became. Abrams saw his own role differently: as the person who stepped forward when the baton needed to be passed.
“First, I must give credit to Duncan MacIntosh. He made The Log what it is today, I just took over as the next steward and tightened up on the systems and processes to make it a little more efficient to run,” Abrams said.
“What I am most proud of is just making the decision to step in and carry the baton when it was time for Duncan to pass it off, allowing The Log to continue to serve our boating & fishing community.”
For Abrams, The Log’s staying power comes from something simple.
“It is the community newspaper,” he said. “It tells the stories, shares the news, sells the dream.”
Choosing a Steward, Not a Buyer
When Abrams realized he no longer had the time to give the publication and its team the attention they deserved, he began thinking about succession.
The question was not simply who might buy The Log. It was who would understand why it mattered.
“I wanted to ensure that whomever became the next steward of the publication, would have more than just a monetary interest in keeping The Log what it is today,” Abrams said.
That led him to the California Yacht Brokers Association.
“While I had other options that were perhaps better for me, I could not think of a better option for The Log,” he said.
For Abrams, CYBA’s connection to the boating industry made the organization a natural fit. He also saw a practical opportunity: a strong network of marine businesses and brokers could help sustain a free community publication through advertising.
“My goals in the transition were simple: take care of the great team of people that we have producing the publication and ensuring that The Log continues to have that feel of the local community paper.”
Dean West, CYBA’s Board President, said Abrams “expressed his desire to identify and secure a succession strategy for one of his most iconic and beloved publications, The Log.”
West also pointed to the credibility The Log has built over the years, the product of consistent, trustworthy reporting and a loyal readership.
Protecting the Local Voice
For Abrams, preserving The Log’s identity was essential.
“It was critical that The Log retained the character that it has today,” he said. “Some options I was presented would have just made The Log into the local version of larger national or regional publications. I want to make sure that The Log stays a locally produced, locally focused publication.”
CYBA leadership has made a similar commitment.
“The Log isn’t changing its core mission, it is gaining a stronger foundation,” said Mark P. White, CYBA’s executive director. “CYBA’s acquisition represents a firm commitment to preserving California’s premier boating publication for generations to come.”
Looking North
Abrams also sees an opportunity to restore something The Log once had: a stronger presence throughout California.
“Years ago, The Log served all of California. There was a Northern California edition, and a Southern California edition,” he said. “I would love to see that become a thing again.”
He believes CYBA’s membership could provide the advertising base needed to make that possible.
“I hope that CYBA members will be able to provide that support, so that The Log can carry the message to the entire boating and fishing community in California.”
West shares that vision.
“As pertains to The Log’s readers, we intend to broaden the distribution of The Log and to give Northern California boaters and interested readers the same access to this great publication that Southern California has had.”
Passing It On
For Abrams, handing over The Log is inevitably bittersweet.
“I am proud of taking the leap when no-one else would, and The Log needed a new home,” he said. “I wish I had the time to keep doing it, and do even more.”
But there is also satisfaction in knowing that the publication has a new steward.
The future he imagines isn’t so different from the one he helped preserve: readers picking up The Log, settling in on the back of a boat, and letting the paper carry them somewhere for a while.
And Dave Abrams’ own place in its history?
“I hope that I will be remembered as someone who helped The Log find its ‘forever’ home.”
