Lets talk, Lewmar, Harken, (ect)and dotcoms

HighCs123

HighCs123

.
Jun 22, 2016
54
Pearson 26 Chesapeake Bay
So enlighten me, which sites do you prefer to buy your gear?

For example swivel blocks, stand up blocks, a fiddler block...

Have a favorite brand, any reasons why? Harken stuff looks Racey, I'm inclined to buy that brand, what about you, have you noticed quality between name brands differ much?
 
CloudDiver

CloudDiver

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Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
No matter what you buy, anything 'Marine' will be expensive. This isn't so much because of 'greed', its because sailing just isn't the biggest sport or consumer product in the world so manufacturers just can't get the economy of scale that other mass produced products have like consumer electronics or auto parts.
that said, I like;
SBO Store, best prices on paint.
I comparison shop on Defender, Fisheries Supply, Vela Sailing Supply, Annapolis Performance Sailing, West Marine (only clearance items there, LOL)
Anyway, there are other specialty online stores like PKY for electronics and electrical parts supply. Too many of these to list.
With the brands, you get what you pay for. Harken is cutting edge and they put a ton of money into R&D, very nice and superior quality stuff but that is reflected in price point.
Garhauer is made in USA and great quality too, Schaffer seems like they mostly make bigger gear for bigger boats. Ronstan is a great choice, I like the gear and its usually a competitive price point because the U.S. dollar is strong against the Aussie dollar. Lewmar makes quality stuff but I don't have any blocks from them, they also seem to be geared toward bigger boats. Nautos is another more price competitive brand, Brazilian company I believe. I love Spinlock stuff, great innovation and design. I usually shop the best deal I can get on the equipment I need at the time regardless of brand, I does not upset my OCD to have a boat full of mixed brand gear. If it is correctly sized for the load, application, and line size I will shop the best price available at then time.
 
HighCs123

HighCs123

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Jun 22, 2016
54
Pearson 26 Chesapeake Bay
Wow I didn't know this site had a store.

I agree with get what you pay for mostly, I just don't know much from brand to brand. I haven't bought much in the way of hardware, but I thought it would be interesting to see what people had to say, about brand names.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,133
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
On my boat, my refit has been best for the job not brand specific.
I have a Harkin Furler, a Lewmar Windlass. Just exchanged Sheafer for new to me Harken 6-1 mainsheet blocks. Ronstan provided the traveler stops. I wear Spinlock PDF.
Different manufactures have different niches. I look for the best value for the solution.
 
Whatfiero1

Whatfiero1

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Mar 29, 2017
576
Hunter 30t 9805 littlecreek
I got an old boat so always buy used. EBay and my local consign shop. Bacon sails
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,930
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
When you buy equipment or replacement parts it helps to know the intended use. For example, if you plan to race, then Harken is the way to good, good equipment light weight, top notch. If you are only cruising or day sailing, then Garhauer is a good choice.

As for shopping there is the SBO store, which helps to support this site. Fisheries Supply also a good choice for west coast sailors. On the east coast Defender tends to have the consistently best price and widest selection. Hamilton Marine is also a good choice. The big difference between east and west coast suppliers is shipping time and cost. I can order from Defender by 4 PM weekdays and have the order delivered the next business day by UPS for standard rates. Shipping from the west coast takes a week or gets really expensive. In the Annapolis area check Fawcett's.

Shop West Marine when there is a sale or on the clearance rack. Unless it is an absolute emergency and WM is the only choice.
 
Dave Groshong

Dave Groshong

SBO Staff
Staff member
Jan 25, 2007
1,867
Catalina 22 Seattle
Harken has MAP pricing, so we can't advertise lower prices, call me for a deal!!!! We also offer great deals on Lewmar products. We appreciate our customers and Forum users very much.

877-932-7245 x116, Mon-Fri, 9-3:30 Pacific
 
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Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,186
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
When I am making a purchase, I check here first. It's the least I can do to help support the site. Their prices are competitive and they will tell me if they are not for a major purchase. By the way, don't just pass if you don't find what you are looking for. Send them an e-mail; they are quick to respond.
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,927
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I've been dealing with www.mauriprosailing.com in Texas and they can have good prices on some items.
I make several large orders each year, everything from engine parts to sailing supplies. I'll spend a great deal of time online (when I have access) to get the best prices.
That is the ONLY way I've found to really save money. Google and compare. Sometimes the savings can be quite a bit. For instance, our next shipment will include a $500.00 electric toilet pump which I paid around $360.00 for, including shipping. It took a couple of hours online to find that price, though.
As for quality, if you stick with the big names, you can rarely go wrong. Off brands may not be worth the savings in the long run. I also stick with one brand whenever possible. Were I to buy a winch, I would buy Lewmar, as all my other winches are Lewmar and they share a lot of parts.
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,930
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
capta said:
I've been dealing with www.mauriprosailing.com in Texas and they can have good prices on some items.
I make several large orders each year, everything from engine parts to sailing supplies. I'll spend a great deal of time online (when I have access) to get the best prices.
That is the ONLY way I've found to really save money. Google and compare. Sometimes the savings can be quite a bit. For instance, our next shipment will include a $500.00 electric toilet pump which I paid around $360.00 for, including shipping. It took a couple of hours online to find that price, though.
As for quality, if you stick with the big names, you can rarely go wrong. Off brands may not be worth the savings in the long run. I also stick with one brand whenever possible. Were I to buy a winch, I would buy Lewmar, as all my other winches are Lewmar and they share a lot of parts.
Click to expand
It does pay to shop around. The past week I was shopping for bottom paint. I use Bluewater Marine Shelter Island, it is a highly rated copper free paint. At the factory store online it was about $180 a gallon and they offered a $20 mail in rebate. I googled the paint and found it at Overton's (not exactly known for sailing supplies) for about $145 with free shipping and received a ~ $20 discount because I was a first time customer. In the end, the paint will cost about $110/gallon after the discounts and rebates.
 
HMT2

HMT2

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Mar 20, 2014
900
Hunter 31 828 Shoreacres, TX
HighCs123 said:
So enlighten me, which sites do you prefer to buy your gear?

For example swivel blocks, stand up blocks, a fiddler block...

Have a favorite brand, any reasons why? Harken stuff looks Racey, I'm inclined to buy that brand, what about you, have you noticed quality between name brands differ much?
Click to expand
For the gear you mentioned above I like Garhauer, great customer service great gear at reasonable prices. For electronics I have used Defender, but I have to say that I love my local West Marine store. The folks there are really knowledgeable and helpful. They have pointed me in the proper direction many times, yeah you may pay a little more but the knowledge and no hassle return policy has value for me. (Also, they appear to have just implemented a new price match policy that appears to include websites, whereas before the would only match brick and mortar prices.) For large rope purchases I will wait for the 40/50% off sale at my local WM, or Defender. I have bought paint and brushes from Wholesale Marine, great prices and quick delivery. Of course I buy boat specific parts and other things on SBO, great service, helpful folks and quick delivery.
 
jon hansen

jon hansen

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May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
i'm a harken guy. local wisconsin company. go badgers. i purchase all my gear through my boat yard. the small picture would make you think i pay more. the big picture however is, i save lots because i get allot of freebies and help from the yard in return. it just works for me.

give the travel lift guy a bottle of Jack for christmas.
tip your mechanic lately?
say job well done every time
tell them how much you appreciate their efforts

what goes around...... comes around! in spades
 
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pateco

pateco

.
Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
I have been using Nautos Blocks. But only because I can pick them up at their local warehouse wholesale as I have a retail business and a resale certificate. I then have to pay the use taxes myself.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,930
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
pateco said:
Nothing wrong with a little CYA statement.
Click to expand
What CYA statement? You purchased the parts from the wholesaler so you have samples to display. That's a hallmark of brick and mortar businesses and one of the advantages over online sales. When you sell the parts you would be expected to collect sales tax on the retail sale, not the wholesale purchase (at least not until we get a Value Added Tax, but that's another story). The state would derive greater benefit from that sale because, presumably you were selling the part at a profit which would cause the sales tax to be higher than if you paid tax on the wholesale purchase.
 
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