Life jackets

[sabray]

I wandered into a west marine today. Left with nothing but dismay.
They had one life jacket that had a harness clip. No life jackets with thigh straps.
The 3/8 hose clamp I thought I wanted was 4 bucks. I don't want one of those now.
Been awhile sense I walked into one. Can they really stay in business selling overpriced hose clamps and kayak styled life jackets. Everything I saw was double price.
Coincidence that both west marines I commute past are neighbored by a liquor store?

[rebel heart]

As a guy living outside the states now, I'd love to have the opportunity to get ripped off by West Marine.

But yeah, it is absurd. Defender, Fisheries Supply, Downwind Marine, etc. West Marine is for when you need it now.

[sabray]

Fisheries supply is excellent. Think west has become less convenience and more liability. Add Jamestown distributors and Hamilton marine and you have everything you could want at realistic prices.

[NorthPacific]

So what brand of self inflatable life jacket has a crotch strap of leg straps? I am looking for new life vests, 12 years ago I had a crotch strap stitched onto mine.

[sabray]

Pricey but here is one.
http://www.landfallnavigation.com/ergofit190.htm
Sad that these aren't more available. I think spin lock makes one too

[bletso]

At the boat show">Annapolis Boat show I tried on a couple. For comfort I liked the Mustang Survivor series. (It didn't ride on the back of my neck.) It can be fitted with crotch strap and tether.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by sabray

I wandered into a west marine today. Left with nothing but dismay.
They had one life jacket that had a harness clip. No life jackets with thigh straps.
The 3/8 hose clamp I thought I wanted was 4 bucks. I don't want one of those now.
Been awhile sense I walked into one. Can they really stay in business selling overpriced hose clamps and kayak styled life jackets. Everything I saw was double price.
Coincidence that both west marines I commute past are neighbored by a liquor store?

That's what happened to me the last time I went into one. August in Portland, OR. Just left without purchasing anything. Everything was nearly double price of what I could get at different catalog stores or I was willing to pay. The sails clerk said they had just opened up a big new store across Interstate 5 if I'd like to see if I could find something there. I didn't even bother to go look. I took off for the local Marine Exchange used boating gear store.

[NorthPacific]

Sad how a store that used to pride itself on being not only competitive but also knowledgeable and service orientated has drank the cool-aid and joined the quest for greater profit margins.

As has been stated here and in other threads we thankfully have other options, who will no doubt seek to fill the void left by WM move away from servicing the boating community.

[bletso]

Yes West Marine's prices can be dear, but... One has to be a shrewd shopper. I have found isolated items at West Marine less expensive than either Jamestown Distributors or pyacht.com (Fawcett Marine). I have also found stuff on Amazon that beat the socks off all the suppliers. You have to know exactly what you want and let your fingers do the walking.

There are at least a dozen vendors I frequent and they are all high IMO. If you thing West is high, try one of our local boat shops here in the hinterland.

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by sabray

I wandered into a west marine today. Left with nothing but dismay.
They had one life jacket that had a harness clip. No life jackets with thigh straps.

How many people own Kayaks?
How many people own offshore capable cruisers?
Of those that own these cruisers how many are looking for lifejackets for serious conditions?

Not sure how long a business would stay in business catering primarily to a fraction of a percent of their customer base.

Prices on the other hand is you charge what you can get away with