Where do you shop for boat parts?

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

At West Marine, I had to help myself since the staff just pointed to the isle. At Lowes, a fellow in hardware gave me some very limited assistance. Basically, customer service was an oxymoron at both locations, but I saved $38 shopping at Lowes.

I am not a licensed repair tech by any means but I've found I know more than most Lowe's employees. I never ask for help and usually refuse it when they approach me as it takes me longer to deal with them than get it myself.

Home Depot usually has at least one expert for each area. If you are stumped and can find that one person you will probably get great advice and/or helpful suggestions.

It has been a mixed bag for me at West Marine, sometimes good and sometimes laughable! I never had trouble with the price match, cashiers are always happy to do it.

No, not affiliated with West, Lowes or Home Depot in any way. Just passing on my personal experiences.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by ajaddeo

BOAT means bring out another thousand. if you cannot stomach paying inflated prices, don't purchase any boat

That’s just lame, why would anyone want to pay 5-10 times the price for an item just because it comes out of a marine store, especially when no additional customer service is being offered.

I know quite a few people with some very expensive boats, and believe me... they weren’t able to buy expensive boats by making stupid financial decisions and making a habit out of overpaying for common marine items.

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I know quite a few people with some very expensive boats, and believe me... they weren’t able to buy expensive boats by making stupid financial decisions and making a habit out of overpaying for common marine items.

The rich didn't get rich by throwing money around; you are spot on!

[John_Trusty]

Obviously, this is a US-only thread, so in addition to the excellent suggestions above ...

Sailing parts, particularly line, I also go to Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS - Annapolis Performance Sailing | APS) - their off-season sales are great.

US charts, I use Frugal Navigator (https://frugalnavigator.com/)

Lighting - MarineBeam (https://store.marinebeam.com/)

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

At one West Marine location in New Hampshire, the store shares a parking lot with a Lowes Hardware store. I purchased nuts, bolts and some stainless attachments for the dinghy the other day at West Marine, total sale $49.75 which was a ridiculous price for what I got. So I went across to the Lowes and purchased the exact same items for $11.23... then returned the items to West Marine for a refund.

At West Marine, I had to help myself since the staff just pointed to the isle. At Lowes, a fellow in hardware gave me some very limited assistance. Basically, customer service was an oxymoron at both locations, but I saved $38 shopping at Lowes.

While I certainly do like to save money as it increases my value, all stainless isn't created equal. My experience with lowes and home depot stainless is that its been 303 or 304 and even on my overland jeep trailer its rusted on me. I now go out of my way to find 316l stainless hardware which I find easily at the last few west marine stores I have shopped at.

[Timethief]

I've gotten a bunch of blocks etc. at Sail Care - Sail Care for sail cleaning, sail repair, new sails, roller furlings and sailing equipment. Way better prices than West Marine for, I think, better parts.

The manager at the Orlando West Marine is quite knowledgeable and personable, though!

[guyrj33]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

That’s just lame, why would anyone want to pay 5-10 times the price for an item just because it comes out of a marine store, especially when no additional customer service is being offered.

I know quite a few people with some very expensive boats, and believe me... they weren’t able to buy expensive boats by making stupid financial decisions and making a habit out of overpaying for common marine items.

Thank you, that's just what I was going to say.

[Simi 60]

Any where and everywhere with the internet.
Had a water pump">raw water pump from the US arrive last week
A few months back engine mounts for the genset from Greece
2020 fuel filters from the other side of the country.
Impellers from Korea.

I live in Australia.

[finefurn]

MY first choice is Jamestown Distributors in Bristol RI. Great service and a staff that knows their product. Granted I'm a little more than 100 mi. away, but if I order before 9:00 AM I'll have it by the afternoon of the next day

[jmschmidt]

That's why we call WM "The Jewelry Store"

[buzzstar]

A quick scan of the prior posts failed to reveal the basic rule -if the name of the seller or the product itself mentions boat or marine, the price is probably higher than for the same
type of seller or product that does not include the words.
Nonetheless, some things must be "marine" or for boats unless you want a quick and unexpected failure due to wet environments, particularly when salt has been added. None of this means you cannot shop around, and all of it means you definitely should shop around.

[jpstevens]

In Texas, Blackburn Marine Supply

[Tayana42]

Don’t overlook

Garhauer Marine https://garhauermarine.com/

McMaster Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/

[OS2Dude]

Depending on what you need, auto-parts store, Home Depot/Lowes hardware stores, etc can be utilized. If your life or boat depends on the item, DO NOT CHEAP OUT. But for things like plumbing fixtures, 110 outlets, some hoses, A/C ducting/vents, motor oil, oil/fuel filters, some engine parts, fuses, etc they do not HAVE to come from a marine store.

[keepondancin]

WM absolutely makes me crazy, high prices, no inventory, no knowledgable staff. There is a local marine store just down the street, friendly, knowledagable, and quite often, better prices. try a local privately owned store if you have one near by.