Perhaps, like the shoemakers kids, Onne takes a crappy photo of his own boat?
Just kidding. Look at the photo, there could be clues: First, the cover leads with Pearson 36-1. But they need an image of a 36 that will fit their vertical format. This is good, the narrow-angle of the boat from the stern.
Then they need a background for GOOD OLD BOAT that will let the letters stand out. They cropped the image so the name lands, just over the horizon, in a light background. This is key.
And last but not least (likely the most important point, in fact), GOB likes people sailing (ok, motor sailing) on their covers.
This was no photo shoot though,...
There's a pair of cheap sunglasses, an ancient Iphone 6 (I have one) and a copy of Duncan Ware and Fenn cruising guide of Southern New England. Whoa,... is that outdated (I have one of those too).
But then there is the redeeming copy of Maine Boats Harbors, etc. That is a little old, Sep. 2016, and curiously the cover shot was by Mendlowitz.