T&T: West Marine 2009 catalog

[Paul Esterle]

That's the problem with WM knock-off products - you never know who is 
making it and if or how long replacement parts will be available.

My favorite example is a 3/*" off set cabinet hinge. They have been made 
forever by Perko and used on boats of every brand and year. WM knocked 
them off in China. Reading the directions, they call for #5 flat head SS 
screw. I dared the district manager to find a #5 flat head in the parts 
bins...

Paul Esterle
Freelance Boating Writer
"Capt'n Pauley's Place"
The Virtual Boatyard
www.thevirtualboatyard.com


Ron Rogers wrote:
> Yes, but during the transition they had West dockline packages next to
> perhaps identical New England packages. Before New England went on 2 for 1
> sale (I invested) the West rope was higher priced than the NE. Ridiculous
> for a house-brand to cost more than a name-brand! Now, of course their price
> is whatever it is. I don't know because I'm just not interested; plus, I
> would not buy rope from an unknown manufacturer.
> 
> Ron Rogers
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces at lists.samurai.com
> [mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces at lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Esterle
> 
> Randy Repass' (Founder of WM) family used to own New England Ropes. Once 
> they sold the company, WM started switching rope suppliers. BTW, the 
> price matching, when done, is based on exact items. No one else sells WM 
> brands so ergo, no ability to price match.