Sailors are a practical and frugal lot. We like to get as much use and value as possible out of our equipment. Yet, whenever the time comes to dispose of this gadget or that goodie, it probably winds up in the nearest dumpster at your marina. And your loss could be some other sailor's gain. Stories abound regarding what some sailors have found in their local dumpsters and "repurposed" or "recycled." A working outboard motor; a usable suit of sails; an alcohol stove; fully charged batteries; and a sewing machine top the list that this sailor has found. What about you? Do you regularly cruise the dumpsters at your marina? How about eBay, local swap meets, and other sources? If so, what are the items you've been able to recover and put back into use on your boat? Tell us your experiences with this art form and then take the Quick Quiz on the bottom of the home page. (Quiz Submitted by Warren Milberg)
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What the!
Dumpster diving? Have you seen the crap in dumpsters? In my marina, if your caught, the cops will show you the wisdom of avoiding the assorted diseases which one can be infected with while "diving" in the dumpster. Not only is it unsanitary but the diver we had in our marina was scattering garbage and litter in his quest for the "usable" trash.
Dumpster diving? Have you seen the crap in dumpsters? In my marina, if your caught, the cops will show you the wisdom of avoiding the assorted diseases which one can be infected with while "diving" in the dumpster. Not only is it unsanitary but the diver we had in our marina was scattering garbage and litter in his quest for the "usable" trash.
through forums like this one
I managed to find a traveller for my DS II, at a fraction of the cost of new. My chandler also has a used bin ofr people who are moving up to bigger and better, (Typically hardware) so that is another good source of stuff. I bought a vang, inspection ports, blocks, spinnaker pole and gear, cleats etc out of this bin.
I managed to find a traveller for my DS II, at a fraction of the cost of new. My chandler also has a used bin ofr people who are moving up to bigger and better, (Typically hardware) so that is another good source of stuff. I bought a vang, inspection ports, blocks, spinnaker pole and gear, cleats etc out of this bin.
Diving
At our large marina on the Chesapeake, it has become a custom of those who are discarding some piece of nautical gear they think still may have value to others to place it neatly next to,not in, the dumpster. A few years ago I was throwing something away and found a neatly folded set of sails next to the dumspter. I threw them in the truck of my car thinking they would be good for patch material when I needed it. A few weeks later, I finally opened the sails and found that they were for a 26ft boat and were in better condition than any sail I had on my boat at the time. Thank you, whoever you are!
At our large marina on the Chesapeake, it has become a custom of those who are discarding some piece of nautical gear they think still may have value to others to place it neatly next to,not in, the dumpster. A few years ago I was throwing something away and found a neatly folded set of sails next to the dumspter. I threw them in the truck of my car thinking they would be good for patch material when I needed it. A few weeks later, I finally opened the sails and found that they were for a 26ft boat and were in better condition than any sail I had on my boat at the time. Thank you, whoever you are!
You bet!
I dumpster dive all over town (I dock on a canal in a residential area, so no marina dumpster). In the last year, among other things, I've found a 8 foot inflatable, oars for the inflatable (4 months later) lots and lots of usable rope, fishing tackle, a brand new landing net, brass barometer, brass-like plastic housed barometer (they both work), blocks and cam cleats from a storm damaged Hoby, and 2 large, round orange fenders. My transportatin is a mo-ped, so I probabaly am a source of great amusement for all who see me hauling this stuff home (you should have seen me with the 8 foot surfboard that I ultimately traded for my main sheet tackle). Recycle? Heck Ya!
I dumpster dive all over town (I dock on a canal in a residential area, so no marina dumpster). In the last year, among other things, I've found a 8 foot inflatable, oars for the inflatable (4 months later) lots and lots of usable rope, fishing tackle, a brand new landing net, brass barometer, brass-like plastic housed barometer (they both work), blocks and cam cleats from a storm damaged Hoby, and 2 large, round orange fenders. My transportatin is a mo-ped, so I probabaly am a source of great amusement for all who see me hauling this stuff home (you should have seen me with the 8 foot surfboard that I ultimately traded for my main sheet tackle). Recycle? Heck Ya!
Marine Salvage Stores
There is one marine salvage store I go to whenever in the area Minney's in Newport Beach is a great way to spend a couple of hours. I have purchased charts, chart books, blocks, line, anchors, winch handles, winches, books, and assorted gear over the years at a fraction of new cost. Also disposed of a lot through them. Rick D.
There is one marine salvage store I go to whenever in the area Minney's in Newport Beach is a great way to spend a couple of hours. I have purchased charts, chart books, blocks, line, anchors, winch handles, winches, books, and assorted gear over the years at a fraction of new cost. Also disposed of a lot through them. Rick D.
Spinnakers
Maybe because I don't currently use one I seem to have the good fortune of finding discarded Spinnakers in dumpsters--one near my local sail loft, one at the marina I bought my boat at, etc. I was able to rescue one and had to forego another that someone had thrown a paint can on top of just before I found it. I know what it's like to have to get rid of a lot of stuff and not have time to hawk it, but I wish more people knew about consignment shops! Why not recycle, even if only for the materials?
Maybe because I don't currently use one I seem to have the good fortune of finding discarded Spinnakers in dumpsters--one near my local sail loft, one at the marina I bought my boat at, etc. I was able to rescue one and had to forego another that someone had thrown a paint can on top of just before I found it. I know what it's like to have to get rid of a lot of stuff and not have time to hawk it, but I wish more people knew about consignment shops! Why not recycle, even if only for the materials?
Sailors ARE more frugal than powerboaters!
There is definitely a difference between sailors and powerboaters at our marina! Stuff that sailors like me are willing to clean up, repair, and re-use are almost always thrown away by the powerboaters. As my friend is a powerboater - albeit a frugal one - I asked him why. He says sailors are much more enamored with traditional craft and don't mind fixing things. Powerboaters like all the new toys and - unlike sailors - are usually the first to buy them! If something breaks - it's an excuse to go buy the new toy. That gives us more "hand-me-downs!" Bill on STARGAZER
There is definitely a difference between sailors and powerboaters at our marina! Stuff that sailors like me are willing to clean up, repair, and re-use are almost always thrown away by the powerboaters. As my friend is a powerboater - albeit a frugal one - I asked him why. He says sailors are much more enamored with traditional craft and don't mind fixing things. Powerboaters like all the new toys and - unlike sailors - are usually the first to buy them! If something breaks - it's an excuse to go buy the new toy. That gives us more "hand-me-downs!" Bill on STARGAZER
At my marina
We actually leave the good stuff outside the dumpster on the ground. Last week I "donated" two Queen Mary sized fenders. 20 mins after I left them they were in the back of a pick-up truck.
We actually leave the good stuff outside the dumpster on the ground. Last week I "donated" two Queen Mary sized fenders. 20 mins after I left them they were in the back of a pick-up truck.
Consignment stores
I addition to looking into the dumpster now and then (with mixed results), I use both consignment stores and eBay to buy used equipment. If you know what you are looking for, and know it's value, I think you can do well. Bacons in Annapolis, for example,is a great place to buy used sails and equipment. It is NOT, however, a great place to sell your stuff as it is very hard to get paid in a timely way for things they have sold for you. But if you are a buyer, it's worth taking a look at these places.
I addition to looking into the dumpster now and then (with mixed results), I use both consignment stores and eBay to buy used equipment. If you know what you are looking for, and know it's value, I think you can do well. Bacons in Annapolis, for example,is a great place to buy used sails and equipment. It is NOT, however, a great place to sell your stuff as it is very hard to get paid in a timely way for things they have sold for you. But if you are a buyer, it's worth taking a look at these places.
Heck yes!
Incredible that some people throw this stuff away! I've found an 8.5' Zodiac that needed just one patch, a 1.5hp dingy engine that needed the carb cleaned and a new spark plug, a 7' pair of oars that needed a few coats of varnish, several gallons of expensive bottom paint, a 50' 30-amp power cord (dirty but fine), 2 fire extinguishers (charged and perfect), large teak boards, loads of stainless steel screws and bolts, etc. I don't know who to thank but I've pulled out about $2000 worth of stuff over the last few years!
Incredible that some people throw this stuff away! I've found an 8.5' Zodiac that needed just one patch, a 1.5hp dingy engine that needed the carb cleaned and a new spark plug, a 7' pair of oars that needed a few coats of varnish, several gallons of expensive bottom paint, a 50' 30-amp power cord (dirty but fine), 2 fire extinguishers (charged and perfect), large teak boards, loads of stainless steel screws and bolts, etc. I don't know who to thank but I've pulled out about $2000 worth of stuff over the last few years!
Yup!, found a sun shade that goes over the boom.
I found a slightly worn sun shade that we use when at anchor. It goes over the boom and ties to the safety line. I had to replace two grommets. Saved me $200.00.
I found a slightly worn sun shade that we use when at anchor. It goes over the boom and ties to the safety line. I had to replace two grommets. Saved me $200.00.
McDumsters
Never got anything good but I did know some brothers in college whose parents stopped sending money. They would go to McDonalds at closing and pick out the cheeseburgers that had been sitting under the lamps when they closed. Tim R.
Never got anything good but I did know some brothers in college whose parents stopped sending money. They would go to McDonalds at closing and pick out the cheeseburgers that had been sitting under the lamps when they closed. Tim R.
Dumper Diving
At our marina, boaters put "discards in "officail" unoficail arears by each of the gang ways dumpsters. I have found 3 alcohol stoves (Traded them in at Minnies) numberiuos Magma BBQ partss, 6 HP Johnson out board that I sold for a $100 not working and lots more. I also have donated quite a bit. New
At our marina, boaters put "discards in "officail" unoficail arears by each of the gang ways dumpsters. I have found 3 alcohol stoves (Traded them in at Minnies) numberiuos Magma BBQ partss, 6 HP Johnson out board that I sold for a $100 not working and lots more. I also have donated quite a bit. New
Been there, made $450
One morning I was driving past the dumpster, and saw sails folded on the ground along side the dumpster. I tossed them in my pick up. I sent them to Bacon's in Annapolis, they rated them good to excellent, and sold them for $450..... sent me a check immediately after the sale. two months later. LOL....it's a good thing (dumpster diving) Jim
One morning I was driving past the dumpster, and saw sails folded on the ground along side the dumpster. I tossed them in my pick up. I sent them to Bacon's in Annapolis, they rated them good to excellent, and sold them for $450..... sent me a check immediately after the sale. two months later. LOL....it's a good thing (dumpster diving) Jim
saved the day
Last summer were boating camping with the brother inlaw & wife70 miles north of Vancouver"Pender Harbour".They are what I call minimulististic so the rented a no frills campsite.They charge there batteries with a solar panel & squease electrical consumpson,but alas someone left some power thief turned on & killed his batteries dead.Hmm now what,the frige is defrosting. I had seen some discarded batteries @ the dumpster so we did some checking & found 4 excellent batteries to carry them through & home to Alberta 1500 miles away
Last summer were boating camping with the brother inlaw & wife70 miles north of Vancouver"Pender Harbour".They are what I call minimulististic so the rented a no frills campsite.They charge there batteries with a solar panel & squease electrical consumpson,but alas someone left some power thief turned on & killed his batteries dead.Hmm now what,the frige is defrosting. I had seen some discarded batteries @ the dumpster so we did some checking & found 4 excellent batteries to carry them through & home to Alberta 1500 miles away
cool!
me and my family found....um.....let me think.....this isn't REALLY dumpster diving...its just sort of....things that we FOUND.like bycicles....chairs....antiques....that stuff.it isn't for boat or anything....but atleast its dumpster diving!(ish)
me and my family found....um.....let me think.....this isn't REALLY dumpster diving...its just sort of....things that we FOUND.like bycicles....chairs....antiques....that stuff.it isn't for boat or anything....but atleast its dumpster diving!(ish)
I thought I was in denial
I thought I was the only one! I have found things such as a small space heater for my boat, just washed it with a little soap and water and wala! We also have a thrift store not to far from us and I usually hit it on Sat morning, suprizingly I have found some boat stuff in there on occasion for near nothing. Minis too.
I thought I was the only one! I have found things such as a small space heater for my boat, just washed it with a little soap and water and wala! We also have a thrift store not to far from us and I usually hit it on Sat morning, suprizingly I have found some boat stuff in there on occasion for near nothing. Minis too.
Recycling
Being one that is early to rise, I usually go for a walk early in the morning and am always amazed at the number of homeless people who sort thru the trash at the various dumpsters at our public marina. In those early morning hours there is usually a minimum of one person every 15 minutes going thru those dumpsters which are scattered over a fairly large area. I've seen people try on shoes and leave theirs behind only to have them taken by someone else. In the late evenings, I leave my empty bottles, old clothes, discards, etc. beside the dumpsters and they are happily recycled. Do I salvage, yes, I find all sorts of scraps of teak which I happily pick up and use to custom build all sorts of things from binocular holders to shelves. Be careful as health risks are there, but our landfills can't hold all of the waste we have let alone items that still have substantial use in them.
Being one that is early to rise, I usually go for a walk early in the morning and am always amazed at the number of homeless people who sort thru the trash at the various dumpsters at our public marina. In those early morning hours there is usually a minimum of one person every 15 minutes going thru those dumpsters which are scattered over a fairly large area. I've seen people try on shoes and leave theirs behind only to have them taken by someone else. In the late evenings, I leave my empty bottles, old clothes, discards, etc. beside the dumpsters and they are happily recycled. Do I salvage, yes, I find all sorts of scraps of teak which I happily pick up and use to custom build all sorts of things from binocular holders to shelves. Be careful as health risks are there, but our landfills can't hold all of the waste we have let alone items that still have substantial use in them.
marina finds
I am also amazed at the stuff, most is junk but i have found everything from chairs which are dirty but in good shape to a complete Honda 5hp.(I havent try to start it) My favorite is a nice wool sweater that my mother in law found, best sweater I have and it gets more compliments! jim
I am also amazed at the stuff, most is junk but i have found everything from chairs which are dirty but in good shape to a complete Honda 5hp.(I havent try to start it) My favorite is a nice wool sweater that my mother in law found, best sweater I have and it gets more compliments! jim
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