Where do you buy gear for your boat?

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Ken Palmer

How fast do you need the part?

I have also shopped them all, having a local West Marine and Boat/US store here as well as a local chandlery. The local chandlery is almost out of business because he cannot compete with the prices. Their expert salesmen have moved on, so now I use the big chain outlets. I have also used mail order and Internet. My favorite is SailNet.com. They have a new on-line store that is super fast on check-out, and the prices are hard to beat with no shipping charges or tax. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
 
L

Les Murray

Just bought halyards from Sailnet Store

I just bought 3 new halyards from Sailnet. Their price for Sta-Set was half what West Marine charges. I use West marine for the little things like screws, bolts, or maintenance items. They are not far from me. I also do alot of my research and price comparisons on-line. Beats wandering the stores. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
 
M

Mickey McHugh

Location, Location, Location

Before heading out on a cruise from Texas to Maryland I bought an additional VHF from West Marine. (Already had 2 plus a handheld but I can't LIVE without a working VHF radio) It failed while still in Texas at the fuel dock on departure. Debbie gets a ride over to WM and gets a new VHF. VHF fails on the way to Key West. I walk over to the WM in Key West and walk out with a new one. VHF fails on the way to Ft Lauderdale. Drive rental car to WM in Ft Lauderdale and this time get a different model VFH for an additional $10. And if it fails all I have to do is walk into the WM in Baltimore and get a new one. Could I have done this if I had bought it some where else? Don't think so. BTW in was a Raytheon 5200.
 
J

John G

Buying gear

My brother-in-law's marine supply store. Great prices and service.
 
L

LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners

Swap meets

Oh how I love a good deal! We head up to the Seattle spring swap meet early enough to be there by 4 am. I've even been known to help folks unpack! By 8 am it's all over, except for the stuff I've already seen & passed by. I LOVE swap meets! Cheap cheap cheap - that's my mantra. :) LaDonna
 
B

Bob Camarena

West Marine

I do most of my buying at West Marine. There's a store convenient to where I work and another near my boat. All the local-guy chandleries specialize in power boats.
 
T

Tony Z

Various but......

We in the Bostn area are fortunate to have a buisness named the MARINE EXCHANGE in Danvers or is it Peabody, MA Either way, Good deals, Knowledgable staff (experts in all areas), large inventory of used sailboat items like hatches and ports, running rigging, list too long. I always go here first. West Marine is a mile down the road so, If I can't get it at the MARINE EXCHANGE the I am off to megga boat mall.
 
J

Jeff taylor

DEFENDER BLOWS THEM AWAY!!

For general catalog purchases, Defender blows away West, and Boat US
 
T

Thomas Ehmke

To Jeff-Defending Defender

Jeff, Does Defender have a web address? I've never gotten a catalog and would be interested in comparing prices with the "BIG TWO". I'd like to get on their mailing list. Tom
 
B

Barry

I Avoid Defender

I found them eagar to bill my card whether they have the item in stock or not. I found myself with a bill, a back order and no part. Who needs service like that. I needed the part in a hurry and my order clearly stated: NO BACK ORDERS The only positive thing I can say about them is their catalog is useful when you find a business with good service that will do price matching. Life's too short to waste time dealing with Defender. Barry
 
D

Don

Second to avoiding Defender

I posted a lengthy explanation of my nightmare with Defender several months back. They may be ok on basic stuff, but just like Barry said, they charged my card immediately for something suppossedly in stock. Then, after several call I was told that it had to be dropped shipped. Only after about 6 weeks and my contacting the manufacturer (through the HOW site!) directly did I find out Defender had never placed the order. Basically they used my money (and my bank's) for that time. I had a terrible time getting the credit processed. I buy a lot and West is by far the best, Boat US next. I will never order another thing from Defender. Just one man's opinion.
 
S

Sailboatowners.com

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 3/4/2001: Where do you buy marine gear? 58% Use all sources 22% Discount chains 13% Local chandleries 08% Online stores
 
A

Art Richadson

WEST MARINE 500 pound gorilla

West Marine has grown to the point that they are no longer competitive and in some areas, like here, have lost their edge in customer service. I try to give most of my business to the local guys but they can't afford to keeep a very large inventory so if they don't have something in stock it's off to WEST. Any local chandlery can match West prices because they are generally the higest around. Boat US has the best mail order service and prices.
 
J

John Allison

Happiness Is

...being able to take an item back when it is not quite right and getting it tweaked to make it just so. For the above reason, I purchase sails, etc. from my local sailmaker. They know me (on a first name basis), my boat, and the way I sail. I recently purchased a main from them and I am more than happy with their workmanship, what is extra at many manufacturers comes as standard here, and if it doesn't fulfill my expectations, they will come out to see what the problem is and correct it. This, at least to me, is worth the extra dollars spent (although the difference is not that great). This does not mean that I do not take advantage of the prices offered by West Marine, Boats US, Sail Warehouse, Sailnet, etc.. I do: however, for the more critical things like sails, motors, etc., I use the applicable dealers. Even though I can get an outboard cheaper at other places, I will go to a dealer for it (routine service, repairs, advice come much more readily from the man who initially sold the motor). Both the discount stores and the local sailmaker are important to me. Low prices are important but so is the raport and knowledge of the local dealer, sailmaker, etc. (in fact this, to me, is most important).
 
B

Bernie

There are some good deals around

In north Atlanta, there are several large marine stores. Two West Marines, one BOATUS, and one Boater's World. When I first got my boat, the absolute best deal was at BoatUS where they would give you (for 30 days after boat delivery) trade prices when you brought a copy of your boat's sales contract showing the delivery date. Although the trade discount was only about 5% on electronics, it was often between 20-50% on other items including paints, electrical, plumbing etc. I like the the staff at West Marine, but I have noticed their prices are often 10 to 20% higher than at our local BoatUS and Boaters World stores. Boaters World seems to typically have the loowest prices on items that are not on sale but their sailboat specific items are rather limited. BoatUS (in Atlanta) has more sailboat oriented items than their other Atlanta competitors. I belong to BoatUS and West Marine's discount clubs that provide a $10 store coupon for every $250 in purchases.
 
T

Tom Lincoln

Defender for standard Boat US for special order

Defender normally has the best pricing and I believe service has improved in the past year. Boat US has a special order group that can help find that special part sometimes. West has gotten too expensive for the items and their shipping costs are always higher.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom