There's gottabe a better way

[Tellie]

I'd like to see a thread (that maybe exists already) where we put forth our own little cost saving tricks we've come up with that no one has asked about.
For Example instead of paying $45 for a foam gasket for my Lofrans windlass motor cover I used five cents worth of window screen spline instead.

[David M]

For boat parts, get a Port Supply account. Just make something up in order to get one. Also, order your big ticket boat parts over the internet.

[mickmul]

Hurricane lamps make an older boat even more traditional, save battery power and diesel recharging, create a nice "oil lamp" smell and glow in the cabin, and are excellent riding lights when at anchor, also allowing easy identification in the pitch dark in a busy anchorage when coming back in the tender (especially after a few tasty beverages). While perfectly self contained and safe, a hurricane lamp also gives the impression of an attended boat I think. . .

[Vasco]

Buy your rum in Nassau.

[caribnsol]

I bought solar garden lamps at Home depot. Brass finish, look like old lanterns. Paid about $6 each. Hang them on a line in the sun during the day then move them into the cockpit in the evening. Hang them from the hard dodger on .50 cent clips. Had them for a year, way cheaper than the $30 each marine ones.

[ripped_78]

keep em coming

[Tellie]

We use the solar photocell spotlights, also Home Depot $34, in the cabins for two reasons. One they make great reading lights and two I can point them towards the cabin port holes so when I'm ashore at night they come on and make it look like someones always home.

[rtbates]

buy the SMALLEST boat that will get the job done for you

[By Invitation]

This may send chills to some of you, but Ebay has been my biggest money saver. Purchased 7 lewmar self tailing winches all new for 1/2 price of retail. C120 Chartplotter 1,000 off retail, Simrad autopilot computer 1/2 price, Teak rimmed wheel 1,300 off retail, Spinnaker - paid 300.00. There's more.

The second biggest saving area is going to consignment shops for all sorts of stuff. I never offer the asking price and have never paid the asking price. Example, I purchased a 10ft hard bottom inflatable with a Nissan 18, both only 5 years old for 2,000 total.

I stay out of West Marine, Boaters world etc.

[2Hulls]

2 recent items:

Needed a starter for one of my Volvo MD22Ls. Took the old one to a local auto electric place that specializes in starters and alternators. They found the exact same one for about 1/3 of the cost that Volvo wanted - just without the green paint. Shipped to my home address in about three days.

SS shackles are available in the rope section of Home Depot. Various sizes and about 1/4 the cost of "real" marine shackles.

Dave

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

... SS shackles are available in the rope section of Home Depot. Various sizes and about 1/4 the cost of "real" marine shackles.
Dave

At about perhaps (we've no way to know for certain) the strength.

[2Hulls]

Also......

For a really, really good no gimmick resource to find the very best internet buys for any product, check out buyvenue.com - Free guide to discounts and consumer information

Dave

[caribnsol]

craigs list is good too....got a laptop gps for $20

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by GordMay

At about perhaps (we've no way to know for certain) the strength.

Did you mean to say, "...1/4 the strength"?

If so, I'll take that as an insult.

So, Gordo, I suggest you pay full price at West Marine so you KNOW you're paying the most and thus, getting the best.

Dave

[waterworldly]

ouch, that hurt .