Annapolis boat show purchases

M

MSter

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Apr 12, 2010
131
Sabre 38' MK II Oriental, NC
Hi All,
After a few years away from the boat and a delay in our cruising plans I will be starting over in the fall.
I have a shopping list of a number of items I need for the boat and am wondering if I should consider waiting for the Annapolis boat show and their specials or start shopping now for end of season bargains.
I expect to be buying new VHF, electric windlass, chartplotter mount, AIS, lifeline hardware, etc.
Are these items likely to be available at Annapolis and will there be any significant savings. The boat is currently in Oriental and I'm planning on moving aboard mid Sept and prepping for a cruise south and to the Bahama's starting November/ December.
Thanks, all info appreciated.
Mike
 
MattObjects

MattObjects

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Mar 23, 2009
139
Rafiki 35 North East, MD
I can't speak to everything you've asked about but I've seen good deals on lifeline hardware and VHF radios at the boat show in recent years. You didn't ask about foul weather gear, but the boat show is also an excellent place to get a good deal on high quality foulies.

If you contact them, at least some manufacturers and distributors will tell you whether their products will be sold for reduced prices at the boat show and some will offer you the same discount in advance if you ask.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
If you wait for THE SHOW, then they don't have it, you've lost that much time. Buy it now, install it now. Even if they have it, you're close to your departure. and may not have time to "break it in".
 
M

MSter

.
Apr 12, 2010
131
Sabre 38' MK II Oriental, NC
Ron20324 said:
If you wait for THE SHOW, then they don't have it, you've lost that much time. Buy it now, install it now. Even if they have it, you're close to your departure. and may not have time to "break it in".
Click to expand
Ron, normally I'D agree except I'm home in Canada and won't be down to the boat until mid September. I know Defender has specials around the time of the major shows, was just wondering how much I might save by buying at the show.
I will definitely look at the specials on foul weather gear.
Mike
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Boat Show

Yes & No as good prices some times at boat show for sure and just this past year got a super deal on a new Mantus anchor and many other items.
Yes defender does also have great deals at that time but at the boat show you
take with you and no $$$$ shipping or tax.
I go to Boat show every year just so I can get the good deals.
Nick
 
M

MSter

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Apr 12, 2010
131
Sabre 38' MK II Oriental, NC
Nick,
Thanks for the info, Good to know.
I'm planning on going and I'll see how things stack up.
Mike
 
C

CarlN

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Jan 4, 2009
603
Ketch 55 Bristol, RI
If you plan to use Defender give their "outfitting desk" a call and explain the situation. They might give you a good price now for a large order.

No tax if Defender ships to you outside of CT but I thought boat show purchases picked up at the boat show had a 6% Maryland sales tax?
 
NotCook

NotCook

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Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Ask for discounts!

carlf said:
If you plan to use Defender give their "outfitting desk" a call and explain the situation. They might give you a good price now for a large order.
Click to expand
This is great advice no matter where you shop. Let them know you are refitting and expect to make several major purchases. Register as a "Frequent Customer" at Fawcett's, for example, or West Marine, etc. Think in terms of potential discounts in the range of up to 30-40% off, and don't start buying until you finish negotiating the discounts. Piecemeal purchase will only hurt your cause.

Fair winds and Happy Shopping!
 
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M

MSter

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Apr 12, 2010
131
Sabre 38' MK II Oriental, NC
Thanks, that's helpfull. I've an account with Defender, bought my rib from them. I'll talk to them about "project pricing".
Mike
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Miami

Sorry I now live in Florida with a 3 hour ride to Miami Sailboat Show and have not made it to Annapolis since 2006 and Purchased my 2007 H-36 at the Newport Sailboat Show and was living in NY at the time and back than super good deals on Sailboats at the shows.
I make the trip Miami every Feb not so much for a new boat but for all the great new equipment for cruising and good deals and yes do look at boats too but love our H-36
Nick
 
C

Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,536
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Mster;

Generally West Marine will match and they do have specials at the time of the show. There is a West Marine in Oriental and a major hub or new store over in the Morehead City area of North Carolina. You may want to check with them too. I only suggested this as you list Oriental which your assuming boat is located there. I use to have my boats there for display as a Hunter and Catalina dealer at one point years ago but now retired.
 
bawlmer

bawlmer

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Sep 15, 2013
708
Catalina 270 Baltimore
Last year WM did not have a booth at the show. I asked my local guy and he said it was just too much trouble for them. I do not know about this year but maybe worth checking. I agree with the previous posters that it will be more worthwhile to negotiate a deal for all your stuff with one vendor. Bring some swag to the boat show anyway. You never know what you will find.
 
B

BJV

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Jun 8, 2004
61
Island Trader 41 foot Ketch, CC Arnold
WM never had great deals on major items at boat show.
Defender has some items at boat show, but most purchases for large items they ship.
shipping can be direct to your marina at Oriental.
lots of deals with other vendors as well such as Fawcetts, Bacons.....
check the manufacturer booth for items you want, confirm tech details, then aske which retailer has best deal.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,318
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
WM will on match with other brick and mortar stores..... they do not match with online vendors any more... no experience with WM online's policy on this... but is unlikely.

For a time you could go to WM customer service in the store... they had an internet connection to verify the price you were requesting... say from defender or iboats... etc... and they would match it in the store. No more, it has to be from a competing actual store... making it more than difficult... However, their employees still get 50 percent off though....
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
WM was not at West Coast strictly sail show this past April either. I would not plan on them being there either.
 
B

BJV

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Jun 8, 2004
61
Island Trader 41 foot Ketch, CC Arnold
Defender honour their boat show prices online as well duri g the show, as well their spring warehouse sail is great.
most of what you need will be available at the show, especially electronics.
what we did for two years is buy at the show, had it shipped to Oriental and then picked it up and installed there, where dockage and weather is friendlier.
 
M

MSter

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Apr 12, 2010
131
Sabre 38' MK II Oriental, NC
Thanks BJV, that sounds like an ideal plan. Glad to hear from someone who has done this and made it work.
Regards
Mike
 
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