Equipment 'Superstores' in Southern England

[hoppy]

At the end of November I am going to meet my cousin who happens to be doing this next year Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race

My plan is to hire a car and visit a few big stores to look around, touch and feel and perhaps buy some stuff. My main goal weather gear and scoping out GPS and other fun electrics.

The initial though is to drive to Southhampton as I hope there will be plenty of stores there. Any suggest where would be appreciated.

[rebel heart]

Don't rule out some online options. Defender, at least in the USA, has pretty good pricing. Not sure how that factors in with international shipping.

[hoppy]

much of the plan is just "window shopping" to get ideas for shiny things I can add to my boat. Until I get out on it for a few days sailing hopefully in December, I won't know really what I need (other than the ww gear). Then I might do the net shopping.

My cousins work HQ is in Houston which he visits from time to time. So he equips his boat from there.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by hoppy

much of the plan is just "window shopping" to get ideas for shiny things I can add to my boat. .

Can I come?????????????????? I LOVE window shopping!
And bargain bins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Can I come?????????????????? I LOVE window shopping!
And bargain bins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Won't you be in the middle of the Atlantic chasing or being chased by the ARC fleet.

[Pete7]

Hoppy the good news is that the Solent (including Southampton) probably has 100,000 boats and therefore supported by a huge number of chandlers.

Coming highly recommended are Marine Super Store some 15 miles from Southampton, actually nearer Portsmouth, which is a much nicer city

Marine Super Store

Half way between the two big cities is Aladins Cave now part of the Force 4 chandlers chain. A little more expensive but also recommended.

Aladdins Cave Rigging | Rope | Splicing | halyards | docklines|

To be avoided at all costs are this lot. You will appreciate I would rather not go into details on a public forum, but I will say it again, avoid at all costs:

Marine Megastore: Buy Marine Boating and Chandlery Equipment Online 15% off orders over £300!*


Pete

[hoppy]

Thanks Pete

The Marine super store looks like it will get some business from me and the Aladdins cave could be handy in the future if they will take an internet order from Sweden with delivery to Greece.

Now I just need to find a fish&chip shop so I can eat my body weight in chips It's

[Pete7]

Hoppy, you could always ask for a discount from Marine Superstore if its a big order. they gave me 12% on a 2k order for a commerical boat, however this was 5 years ago before the credit crunch. Worth asking though, they can only decline. Don't forget its end of season now so good for clothing bargins and if you are exporting outside the EEC then the VAT can be claimed back. VAT in UK going up to 20% 1 Jan 11 to pay for the bankers reckless gambling.

The Velux fleet sails out of my marina so there are a couple of local smaller chandlers that you can visit for smaller items but unlikely to have the range of electronics or clothing you might be looking for.

Percy M See, 4 miles from the Velux fleet home and my local chandler. Traditional Chandlers, Ltd clothing and electronics but very competitive and good range of fittings and stuff.

Percy M. See Ltd – Chandlery

Arthurs Chandlery, again traditional chandlers just moved into bigger premises. About a mile from Velux fleet home.

Arthurs Chandlery - First in Gosport for marine supplies

No fish and chip shops left, whole country now only eats curry

Pete

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Pete7

if you are exporting outside the EEC then the VAT can be claimed back. VAT in UK going up to 20% 1 Jan 11 to pay for the bankers reckless gambling.

It will be going to about 2.6nm from Turkey, but it will still be in the EU.

20% still beats 25% with or without reckless bankers.

[goboatingnow]

The worlds largest display of bits and pieces for boats is METS in amsterdam in mid nov. the marine equipment trade exhibition. It's not difficult to get a free ticket if you have access to a company name ( any company).

1000s of manufacturers from all over the globe

Dave