Did boaters world bite the dust?

[Bobcat]

or is it just here in the keys? both the KW and marathon stores had going out of business sales and are now closed

[JoeD]

All are gone

[Ted]

Yeah, they are done. I think Ritz Camera (their other business) may be close too.

[catastrophe]

The guy in the store in Cape Coral said they were owned by a group that was also in the camera business and they had to pick a horse to ride out the recession on.

Sad..over 100 stores he said

[C M R]

The one down the road from me in Marietta closed the other week.

The did have some decent deals.

[Bobcat]

I wonder if west marine will raise their prices down here a s they are the only game in town

[cigdaze]

Yep. Done. I got a few decent deals at their closing sale.

[MarylandMark]

129 stores in 27 states went bye bye.

Ritz Camera is in Chap 11 and closed 300ish stores trying to pull themselves together but I personally don't think it is going to happen.

[OldSchool]

It's all BobbyB's fault!!!!!!:biggrinjester::sifone::rofl::rofl:

[MarylandMark]

It's all BobbyB's fault!!!!!!

No comment :leaving:

[JnT]

The one down the road from me in Marietta closed the other week.

The did have some decent deals.

I worked at that store for the last three years on Saturday mornings. The employee pricing was awesome.
I'll miss it.

[MarylandMark]

I bet the guy that gets the guy that works at Boaters World drunk and wants hush money not to post the pics gets better pricing..

:rofl:

[WMF]

Boaters World was bought out by West Marine!!

[fund razor]

Boaters World was bought out by West Marine!!

West Marine bought our BoatUS store and now it's gone. The West Marine store was smaller and now is even smaller than that. Bummed.

It's just a pfd store now.

[tommymonza]

What sucks too now with no competion with West Marine they took away the deep dicounts we used to get on the commercial account through Port Supply unless you are doing big business with them.

[JnT]

What sucks too now with no competion with West Marine they took away the deep dicounts we used to get on the commercial account through Port Supply unless you are doing big business with them.

Try setting up an account with landnsea.com. I'm getting my boat stuff through an auto parts store with a lot less markup over cost. I had to buy two nylon cleats and bolts to mount them from West Marine and felt like I had been raped when I left the store. At Boaters World we would at least smile at you as we took your cash! :) At West they don't even acknowledge you until you confront them.

[chris sunsation]

Actually, When Ritz filed Chapt 11. the bankruptcy courts made them sell off the Boater's Worlds. They were bought by a liquidator and the rest is history. We still have a couple up here in Michigan. My brother was the manager of the Port Huron store when they closed. He has also managed the Galveston, Lewisville TX, and the Mentor OH stores.

It is sad to see them go away they have been a huge supporter of our Sunsation Owner's Rally the past 2 years, contributing to help raise a total of $25,000 fo Make-A-Wish.

[Trim'd Up]

I wonder if west marine will raise their prices down here a s they are the only game in town
Is that possible? The one by me already charges double the going rate for stuff. I hate that freakin' store. They never have what I need, and the hours and prices suck!

[BOJOE2]

another one bites the dust

[BobbyB]

It's all BobbyB's fault!!!!!!:biggrinjester::sifone::rofl::rofl:

Haha i worked there for a few years.:sifone::sifone:

[BobbyB]

I bet the guy that gets the guy that works at Boaters World drunk and wants hush money not to post the pics gets better pricing..

:rofl:

Lmao.

[fund razor]

Hey WMF, how about adding a web store and stocking common things that we all buy. For cheap. :)
I just bought a couple of new bilge pumps. West Marine wanted over a hundred bucks a piece for Rule 1500s. I found them for about 59.00. That 59.00 could have gone to WMF!! :)

[fund razor]

I placed an order from Boatbandit.com yesterday. I just checked my order status and the shipment left yesterday and is already in my state. Sweet. Saved a bunch too.

[cigdaze]

Yep. I only buy from West Marine if it's an emergency and I need it now. They are expensive!

It's going to suck not having boaters world, their absence is going give others the opportunity to raise prices even more with less competition.

But here's another one for you guys: When I buy online I love using boatfix.com. They have just about everything, and they are reasonably priced, and the service is fantastic. For instance, they want $60.27 for your Rule 1500, Fund.

[fund razor]

I found boatfix too. I will use them.

West Marine wanted a hundred bucks for the 1500 and like 35.00 for the float switch. For two pumps and two switches West Marine was more than 100.00 higher than Boatbandit and Boatfix.

[TCEd]

There is an intetresting thread regarding Boatfix.com over on The Hull truth.
The original owner is gone and things have gone downhill some.

[cigdaze]

Seriously? George isn't there anymore? Damn, that guy's been great to me over the years.
His service was exceptional.
:(

[TCEd]

If I understand the thread over on The hull truth......George is gone and Les runs the operation from elsewhere and service isn't what it was. George was the best !
ed

[rainmn]

If I understand the thread over on The hull truth......George is gone and Les runs the operation from elsewhere and service isn't what it was. George was the best !
ed

That sucks to hear, but it's good to know - thanks for the heads up.

I've had great experiences buying from George for years now, but I'm not Les' biggest fan.

[cigdaze]

If I understand the thread over on The hull truth......George is gone and Les runs the operation from elsewhere and service isn't what it was. George was the best !
ed

Total bummer. :(
Les is an azz, imo...
Thanks for letting us know.

[OldSchool]

There is an intetresting thread regarding Boatfix.com over on The Hull truth.
The original owner is gone and things have gone downhill some.

That's a shame. I've had nothing but great experiences with them over the years. :( They stock all of the Perko stuff that Cig. used when building the oldies. I'll use them until I personally have a bad experience! I'm planning on re-doing all of the hinges and latches in my stabbin' cabin.

[Bobcat]

That's a shame. I've had nothing but great experiences with them over the years. :( They stock all of the Perko stuff that Cig. used when building the oldies. I'll use them until I personally have a bad experience! I'm planning on re-doing all of the hinges and latches in my stabbin' cabin.

to keep people in:(

[JnT]

Lmao.

There were a few preferred customers..... :D

[johnny g]

West Marine is almost a novilty store. You can buy anything they sell for half the price else where. Oline stores are gonna keep puttin guys like them way out of buisness.

[TCEd]

I find a lot of marine stuff at the NAPA stores and use Tractor Supply or Menards for stainless steel hardware.
ed