Bottom Paint

[StockHR]

Just stopped at West Marine to " window shop." The bottom paint I use that was $86 five years ago is now $244.00 a gallon . The marine industry better wake up to the fact that they are killing the golden goose with their prices. The luxury tax several years ago almost killed boating. I guess they don't keep up with the economic news. The marina's and suppliers might want to be careful they don't tip the scales too much and drive boat owners to sell their boats with the a mentality that all of us have unlimited funds.

Mike

[Pitou]

I agree. Some things are going totally out of control.

Mike;
It sounds as if you are a user of Interlux Miicron Extra/multi-season ablative .... I've been using it since it came out. This past season I did a full repaint and just a spray and brush at haul out. A little touch-up this year and that's it. Watch the sales. Last year they listed it at 225 ..... by mid April 155. I'm usually not a sale shopper, but .....

For what it's worth. A clerk at West was telling me one of the West products was the same for 1/2 the price. I tried to compare, but couldn't quite find one that matched.

[Cape Codder]

I don't want to throw spears at West Marine, BUT, their prices over the past 2 years have gone out of control.
I have two local marine stores that for the past 5-10 years were sky high, Today, whenever I compare, they are actually lower that most items at West Marine. West's sale prices can be excellent, but "just off the shelf" can be out of sight.
The entire marine industry is in a tough uphill battle. With the price of fuel, and other daily costs, I'm forced to shop around for decent prices.
Of all the boating supplies I buy for 2008, I doubt if more than 10% will be spent at West.
On Cape Cod, their is a new supplier that has no box store. They simply ask you to join for about $15 a year. You receive the largest catolog I've ever seen.
Pick your item(s) call for current pricing, and they DELIVER next day at your home. All at a significant savings over West Marine.
Thier costs are less and they can sell for less. I just can't justify spending more

[skye peak]

So what is the name of the Cape Cod supplier or how do you join??

[Elizabeth Ann]

I always make west marine match prices....they usually do especially if they always see you in the store.....don't take no for an answer.

[Cape Codder]

The supplier on Cape Cod is Cape Cod Boaters Co-op.
www.capecodboaters.com
508-563-1330
Currently they are only doing this local, but their long term plans are to franchise these distributorships.
Great forlks to deal with.
I don't know if they can accommodate you at your location, but it’s worth a phone call.

[AlMar]

I really, really, hesitate to recommend a mfr,(it can come back to bite ya) but I have been using this stuff for about 8 years. Last year I switched because of a sale on a Petit paint, and it was a mistake. We have a dock dog that has been sitting for over three years. I pushed a deck brush over the side and it still easily removed the growth. Hauling out this year for a coat of interlux and more of this stuff. I guess for the price (used to be a hundred bucks), it would be worth the try for some of ya'll.

http://www.supershipbottom.com/

AlMar

[Mariner]

It used to be that West Marine was the low-cost, big-box store that came in and put the local guys out of business. But now, their prices have gotten so incredibly high that I simply refuse to shop there anymore for the bigger ticket items. If I'm picking up a $5 hatch handle, I'll get it there, just because I know they'll have it and who really cares if it costs an extra $2. But for things like a gallon of bottom paint, a barbecue grill, or control cables for my outboard, there are local chandleries that are much less expensive.

I still enjoy having my West Marine catalog in the bathroom to browse through, though.

[Pitou]

It used to be that West Marine was the low-cost, big-box store that came in and put the local guys out of business. But now, their prices have gotten so incredibly high that I simply refuse to shop there anymore for the bigger ticket items. If I'm picking up a $5 hatch handle, I'll get it there, just because I know they'll have it and who really cares if it costs an extra $2. But for things like a gallon of bottom paint, a barbecue grill, or control cables for my outboard, there are local chandleries that are much less expensive.

I still enjoy having my West Marine catalog in the bathroom to browse through, though.

I'm with you. Shopping more local chandleries as well. I had shopped a local BoatUS. When West took over , small items or if I'm in a jam only. A couple of months ago I took a survey on West and shared exactly this with them. Their response "we are trying to offer competetive pricing by offering price matching". No thanks, I'll buy it from the other guy who is straight up about pricing from the start.