Outrageous!

[Alan]

At the end of season I discovered the swim platform shower faucet was leaking. I set about looking for a new one (parts are not available) although I prefer fixing. The marine websites sell the replacement for $100 to $150. This really bugged me because I am cheap and paying that kind of money for an all plastic faucet just fried me.
Then I get an idea, I checked out a couple RV websites for the same thing. Bingo, :dance:a similar if not nicer looking one for $16.50!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy cow

Next time I need something for the boat that just might cross over I'm gonna check RV sites, their prices are just soooooo much better.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

reminds me of the marine toilet seat (household size) selling for $95 vs. the hardware store equivalent for $30 or less. All marketing firms must think boaters are all idiots.

 

[Ted]

Outrageous

I purchased a device that was marketed and sold through West Marine to prevent the halyards from slapping against the mast. I paid $19.95 twenty years ago. A few years later I saw the identical item in my local hardware store marketed as a clothesline tensioner. Price $.99 I hate getting ripped off too.

 

[Freedom77]

It's often been said that a sailboat is a hole in the water in which you pour lots of money. I don't know what magic dust they sprinkle on stuff at marine hardware stores but it must be pure gold. As the man said you can probably get the same thing and the same brand at an RV, or hardware store. Fair winds...

 

[Stu Jackson]

RV places and ACE Hardware.

What's the surprise? These kinda things have been known for years.

I keep hearing from boaters: "I'm cheap." Naw, you're not cheap, you're FRUGAL, which is a BIG difference.

You wouldn't think of throwing money away on anything else, so why is the boat any different? I keep claiming I haven't paid retail for anything since we got our boat. OK, I lied, 'cuz I buy our CNG retail. However, we do have a link on our website for a CNG tank adapter so you can fill it up at a gas station.

 

[Zaphro]

Recently replaced a fuel pump. $180 for the marine pump from the 'Boat Store'. Got the exact same pump from Spruce Aircraft for about $70. Had to change the fittings for another $5.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ep/fuelpumps_0facetelectric.html

 

[zeehag]

there is such a thing as a device to keep lines from slapping mast?? yipes--i have been saving money using old bits of line and bungee cords and slinging the halyards around the shrouds all these years.....

 

[Ross]

Now I have a market for all of those pieces of string too short to save.

 

[Bill Roosa]

The Navy's explination for the high cost of toilet seats

Had an old Navy guy explain it to me. Seems that when the boat catches on fire the seat burns without producing toxic fumes. You can only imagine what that would be like in a sub. So they have to be made of special materals or have coatings etc to make them safe and that cost big bucks (apparently)

I'd take that concept to the civilian world and just say RV parts are fine for some things and probably not for others even if they are cheeper. When it comes to safety cost becomes a secondary consideration. course there is no chance that a swim platform shower is going to be a safety issue and you could take the $90 you saved and put it toward an engine fire suppression system or some such thing.

My halyard silencing system is to tie the end to the toe rail.

 

[Winkfish]

Now I have a market for all of those pieces of string too short to save.

Call them "Marine Utility Bit Lines" and you can charge $20 apiece.

 

[jimmcgee]

Check out Camping World
http://www.campingworld.com/index.cfm?affiliateID=577&siteID=8hJTXlwH.xk-O7x4uKEmcoeqDfW.FJFEFw

I also hit the local truck stops, Petro, T/A, etc.

Picked up a 12v TV w/DVD player at the truck stop for $235 less than WM wanted for the same set. Picked up my water purifier at Camping World for a fraction of the cost of a "marine" filter. Plus lots of small stuff at both like a 12v wet/dry vac.

Truck stops are also a good spot to find things for your "emergency kit". If a temporary repair will get a big rig down the road it will get me back to the dock in a pinch.

Jim

 

[jimmcgee]

I just attach my main halyard to a shroud cleat on my standing rigging​

To keep my lazy jacks from slapping on the mast I discovered a new space age variable tension device!!! Just clip one end on the lazy jack and one end on your standing rigging. Best of all they can be installed/removed in seconds!!! They're called mini bungee cords!!! Seem to last about a year in the sun. A four pack is about two bucks at Lowes, which means they cost about a buck a year.

But I'm sure with a little thought we can come up with an improved marine version that will last about a year -- and cost around $20.

BTW, no extra charge for the sarcasm

Jim

 

[Benny]

Its hard to find a truck stop or an RV store at a seaport. Somehow when something breaks away from home and we need a replacement part to be able to continue a trip we all seem to gravitate to the closest West Marine and don't seem to mind the high prices one darn bit. It is not a bad thing that some deep pockets mainly looking for convenience and others that are afraid to purchase non-marine products support the retailers so they may afford to stay in business and keep a store close to our next mishap.

 

[Ross]

This illustrates the need to learn to improvise. Some spares must be use specific but many others can be MacGivered to work almost anywhere. The important thing is to have the tools for the trade. turning a screw is easy with a screw driver but practically impossible without. Sewing without a needle doesn't happen.
So what is in your tool box and ditty bag on the boat?

 

[SamLust]

That same pump that Zaphro likes sells for a few dollars less at any Auto Zone, Advance Auto or Pep Boys. Plus it comes with the 1/4" brass hose barb fittings. I've used one for years as a diesel lift pump.

 

[Chilidog]

Had an old Navy guy explain it to me. Seems that when the boat catches on fire the seat burns without producing toxic fumes.

make them out of wood and they can double as a floataion device.