Association Forum - Where do you spend your money...

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Where do you spend your money...

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/15/2009 : 10:20:13

Hey guys,

I'm trying to figure out where the majority of our sailing dollars go. From equipping your boat, to maintenance & tools, to charters, boat transportation/trailering, insurance, the whole shibang.

If you had to pick your top 3 destination for your boat dollars (where I could spend money too, so not your local marina/mom & pop chandlery...) where would you say most of them go?

I think for me the biggies are:
West Marine (not frequently, but of the national/internationals, they are up there)
Binnacle.com (same as for West, not as big of a company, but WAY better prices, and free shipping if you spend enough)
Lee Valley Tools (Lee Valley also suckers me into buying stuff for gardening, woodworking, reading, etc. while I'm there, but they have good prices on Epoxy/hardener, and the product knowledge & quality of their items can't be beat)

Tag. You're it!

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - Prospector on 04/15/2009 10:21:48

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 10:43:12

Well, if you're talking about a "majority" of our sailing dollars, hands down that's Online Outboards, simply because we spent $2k there in one swell foop.

On an ongoing basis, next I'd say is Fisheries Supply here in Seattle, but they're online too. They have better prices than WM, plus I get a discount through my marina. Their customer service varies between helpful to hostile depending on who you deal with. The guys in the electrical shop-always helpful, same with plumbing, running rigging & hardware, eh, really depends on who's there, some are very helpful, others won't come out from behind the counter. Returns? Painful. Electronics? Usually the guy I've had to deal with for returns, disinterested at best. Fortunately I do all my homework before I get there (or anywhere else) so I generally know what I want & don't need lots of help.

Then probably comes West Marine. Some stores have complete idiots working there, others have folks who remember what your boat is if not your name, ask you how that last install they helped you find parts for went, etc. High prices, but if you do your homework, you can beat them down severely since they have a price matching policy. On big ticket items I find this kind of fun, because I'd rather have WM's return policy on my side if something goes wrong, plus I'd rather buy locally if I can, even if I'm beating them up on price.

Lee Valley gets a fair number of my dollars, but it's generally not for boat stuff, woodworking & some occasional gardening supplies for Rita. By far it's my favorite woodworking site.

That's sort of four...

Edited by - delliottg on 04/15/2009 16:58:08

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 11:10:51

Take a wild guess.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 11:14:01

For the moment I would say equipment. I didn't know much about cruising sailboats when I first bought Vida Nova and didn't pay attention to all that was missing. It makes a big difference on what type of equipment is already there.

Added To date:
- 135% jib
- Bimini
- Single backstay mod
- Hull ablative removal + new VC17
- Engine to rudder Hardlink mod
- Mast track
- 7-15 HD whisker pole

Future projects:
- Asym spin
- Spin block and halyard
- Move winches to coamings mod
- deck organizers
- clutches
- Change mast plate

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 11:17:55

Beer

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 11:31:30

1. Bought used trailer needing lumber, carpeting, tires, paint, lube & wiring
2. Outboard - 9.8 Nissan from OnlineOutboards
3. Sails - new 135 from National Sail Supply and a used 150 from another member
4. Keel trunk repair & electrical rewiring, battery
5. Whisker pole, HD7-15DL from Defender
6. Misc. stuff at WM

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 11:51:48

West Marine; Defender; National Sail Supply

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 12:19:10

North Sails
West Marine
Defender

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 12:20:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 Beer
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Now that you mentioned it, I think your right!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 12:20:38

The majority of my yearly sailing dollars go to...

1. Marina slip fees
2. Winter boatyard storage fee
3. Boat insurance

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 12:24:33

at $4000/year slip fees without a doubt #1.

Then

West Marine
Driscol's boat yard for bi-annual bottom painting
Dive service for monthly bottom cleaning
Annapolis Performance Sailing
Sailrite
Ulman Ventura
On Line Outboards

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 12:36:05

Hadn't thought about slip fees. With our $5k buy in, that's our number one expense other than the boat & trailer themselves. Monthly fees work out to around $1740/year or so.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 13:44:11

Wow! 4k on slip fees?

And I was going to mention my slip fee of $875 bucks for 6 months as the biggest cost. Well it still is.
But then again, I can only sail a few months out of the year anyway. May to October, and it's not always pleasant.

As for spending money on equipment, I support a local sailboat outlet. Usually it's paint, add-ons. etc maybe 500 bucks a year for add ons i.e., this year BBQ grill.

Deric

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 13:59:02

slip fees, monthly cleaning, and bi-annual bottom painting aside, I figure I spend about $300/month on the boat.

Food
Fuel
drinks
fixing broken stuff
maintenance
improvements

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 14:00:45

$4k, ouch!! forgot slip rent, about $1,050 last year, paid annually. supposed to go up about 5% this year.

Edited by - dmpilc on 04/15/2009 14:01:55

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 14:57:44

1. Eugene Yacht Club (Membership, slip, storage)
2. West Marine (Stuff)
3. BoatUS (Insurance)

That is my current top 3. When we were outfitting the Nauti Duck the list would have been WM, EYC, and then BoatUS.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 16:20:24

I wasn't including local stuff - like slip fees, beer, and bribing the fast boats to go slow on race day.

I was looking for what economic stimulus we provide outside our local communities. Appreciate the answers so far though. It seems like West Marine benefits a bunch from us.

I wonder if BoatUS would get as much business from the Association without the membership incentives, Online Outboards likely gets a dozen or so buys in a year, I wonder what the real number is, and how much it will increase as the boats age. I wonder how many purchases these folks see when a member mentions them to someone in the slip next to them at the marina.

Edited by - Prospector on 04/15/2009 16:20:57

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 16:42:08

Including this year and three more just like it, Kenyon College is the BOOGEY MAN

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 16:56:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Take a wild guess.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The fuel dock?

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 18:33:29

1. EYC FEES, DUES, MINIMUM Spend Requirment
2. Sail Loft
3. This year - Rocklers.com
4. Anywhere I can except for WestMarine (though Westmarine always wins for the last minute stuff)
5. Wed/Sun Race Fees/ REgatta Fees/Phrf Membership
5A. Crew Beer/Food/ etc.
6. Insurance

2 years ago - Diesel Repair dudes.

Really doesn't matter BOAT - Break Out another Thousand

Edited by - on

Tom Gauntt
Navigator

Members Avatar

204 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 19:27:48

I try to buy online as much as possible to save some money. Lately I've spent a lot at:

1. Catalina Direct (.com)

2. Jamestown Distributors (.com)

3. National Sail Supply (.com)

4. Bacon's Sails

Bacon's is a consignment and marine supply store here in Annapolis. The have a web site where you can purchase many items (including over 10,000 used/new sails), but the treasure trove is the warehouse in back... If you ever find yourself around Annapolis, do not miss a visit to Bacon's. Great people running the place as well.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3468 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2009 : 20:08:39

1. Marina fees
2. Washington Marina - Honda 9.9hp
3. Quantum Sails - New Main & 150 Genoa
4. Washington Sailing Marina - Travel lift to raise, lower, go to/from mtn yard and paint.
5. West Marine
6. Catalina Direct
7. Defender

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.