Cruisers who come to the Gulf of Maine have a special fondness for the region's unique marine assets, from its skilled craftsmen to its quiet, secluded harbors to its pristine environment. Points East represents the Down East cruising culture. We celebrate it and give it voice.

Behind its full-color cover is the kind of information cruisers need. No routes and way points here. Instead, we tell the cruiser what to expect in a port. The colorful natives. The native cuisine. Practical information reported by cruisers who have been there.

Regular listings offer the kind of detailed information cruisers need -- customs offices, marine surveyors, phone numbers for weather forecasters and yacht clubs, schedules of cruising-related events. Columns by well-known cruisers explore personal perspectives on the cruising experience. News stories keep cruisers up to date on important maritime developments.

Feature stories offer deeper insight into what makes the Gulf of Maine unique. No long tales of wintering over in the Arctic. Our stories are about the places average cruisers might actually visit and the people they might actually meet. Many of the stories are written by the local cruisers who know the Gulf of Maine best. And for the racers, every issue includes pictures and results from area regattas.

Points East fits in with the charts in the cruiser's duffel as well as on the coffee table at home. Best of all, it's free, available from March through December at the places cruisers frequent: boatyards, chandleries, bookstores, coastal restaurants - as far south as Connecticut. At least 20,000 copies will be distributed monthly. For advertisers, that means wide exposure at a price that beats all the alternatives.