Best (cheapest) online source of marine hardware?

[Spissgatter W-9]

The wood working is essentially done. Now its time for fitting out. I need to buy bronze seacocks (2"), mushroom heads etc? Also, will be installing the new yanmar. So, require all sorts of hardware, hose etc. Is there an online site(s) you would recommend?
Thanks
Geo
Bellingham, WA

[Spissgatter W-9]

The wood working is essentially done. Now its time for fitting out. I need to buy bronze seacocks (2"), mushroom heads etc? Also, will be installing the new yanmar. So, require all sorts of hardware, hose etc. Is there an online site(s) you would recommend?
Thanks
Geo
Bellingham, WA

[Spissgatter W-9]

The wood working is essentially done. Now its time for fitting out. I need to buy bronze seacocks (2"), mushroom heads etc? Also, will be installing the new yanmar. So, require all sorts of hardware, hose etc. Is there an online site(s) you would recommend?
Thanks
Geo
Bellingham, WA

[Bob Cleek]

Yes, Defender, Hamilton Marine, and Jamestown Distributors. All have websites and excellent catalogues. Although they are on the east coast, I have always had great service from them and stuff comes mail order with no problems. If you have a large order, maybe over a couple of grand, inquire about a quantity discount. They used to cut you a deal if you placed a large enough order.

Another option is a local yard with a "resale number." (Wholesale license.) If you have a friend in the business, they should be able to order stuff wholesale for you from local parts suppliers. Delivery is usually in a day or two. You then pay only the wholesale cost plus sales tax. This is the cheapest way to go. In the past, I have gotten my own resale number and ordered directly from the manufacturers, but I gave it up because the bookkeeping for the tax guys was too much of a hassle. Also, many of the manufacturers are now locked into marketing deals with WestMarine which prohibit their selling anything to anybody who's in WestMarine's marketing area. I know this sounds weird, but true. We used to be able to buy ABI bronze and stainless from the manufacturer, but WestMarine contract with them, as a guy at ABI explained it to me, prohibits their selling anything except to retail resellers now.

If you are looking for really esoteric fittings, which is increasingly the case with traditional boats, Toplicht in Germany and Davey and Co. in England are tops. The Toplicht catalog is a must have, even if you don't speak German!

[Bob Cleek]

Yes, Defender, Hamilton Marine, and Jamestown Distributors. All have websites and excellent catalogues. Although they are on the east coast, I have always had great service from them and stuff comes mail order with no problems. If you have a large order, maybe over a couple of grand, inquire about a quantity discount. They used to cut you a deal if you placed a large enough order.

Another option is a local yard with a "resale number." (Wholesale license.) If you have a friend in the business, they should be able to order stuff wholesale for you from local parts suppliers. Delivery is usually in a day or two. You then pay only the wholesale cost plus sales tax. This is the cheapest way to go. In the past, I have gotten my own resale number and ordered directly from the manufacturers, but I gave it up because the bookkeeping for the tax guys was too much of a hassle. Also, many of the manufacturers are now locked into marketing deals with WestMarine which prohibit their selling anything to anybody who's in WestMarine's marketing area. I know this sounds weird, but true. We used to be able to buy ABI bronze and stainless from the manufacturer, but WestMarine contract with them, as a guy at ABI explained it to me, prohibits their selling anything except to retail resellers now.

If you are looking for really esoteric fittings, which is increasingly the case with traditional boats, Toplicht in Germany and Davey and Co. in England are tops. The Toplicht catalog is a must have, even if you don't speak German!

[Bob Cleek]

Yes, Defender, Hamilton Marine, and Jamestown Distributors. All have websites and excellent catalogues. Although they are on the east coast, I have always had great service from them and stuff comes mail order with no problems. If you have a large order, maybe over a couple of grand, inquire about a quantity discount. They used to cut you a deal if you placed a large enough order.

Another option is a local yard with a "resale number." (Wholesale license.) If you have a friend in the business, they should be able to order stuff wholesale for you from local parts suppliers. Delivery is usually in a day or two. You then pay only the wholesale cost plus sales tax. This is the cheapest way to go. In the past, I have gotten my own resale number and ordered directly from the manufacturers, but I gave it up because the bookkeeping for the tax guys was too much of a hassle. Also, many of the manufacturers are now locked into marketing deals with WestMarine which prohibit their selling anything to anybody who's in WestMarine's marketing area. I know this sounds weird, but true. We used to be able to buy ABI bronze and stainless from the manufacturer, but WestMarine contract with them, as a guy at ABI explained it to me, prohibits their selling anything except to retail resellers now.

If you are looking for really esoteric fittings, which is increasingly the case with traditional boats, Toplicht in Germany and Davey and Co. in England are tops. The Toplicht catalog is a must have, even if you don't speak German!

[Bruce Hooke]

Adding to what Bob said, which I completely agree with, another good place to know about for more specialized bronze fittings is Bristol Bronze. They specialize in reproductions of old marine bronze castings, especially stuff designed by well-known designers like Nat. Herreshoff.

http://www.bristolbronze.com/

[Bruce Hooke]

Adding to what Bob said, which I completely agree with, another good place to know about for more specialized bronze fittings is Bristol Bronze. They specialize in reproductions of old marine bronze castings, especially stuff designed by well-known designers like Nat. Herreshoff.

http://www.bristolbronze.com/

[Bruce Hooke]

Adding to what Bob said, which I completely agree with, another good place to know about for more specialized bronze fittings is Bristol Bronze. They specialize in reproductions of old marine bronze castings, especially stuff designed by well-known designers like Nat. Herreshoff.

http://www.bristolbronze.com/

[Dave Lesser]

Lots of stuff on eBay. Go to eBay Motors and search for "bronze" or "brass". There are always some through-hulls and seacocks listed.

[Dave Lesser]

Lots of stuff on eBay. Go to eBay Motors and search for "bronze" or "brass". There are always some through-hulls and seacocks listed.

[Dave Lesser]

Lots of stuff on eBay. Go to eBay Motors and search for "bronze" or "brass". There are always some through-hulls and seacocks listed.

[Meerkat]

Fisheries Supply, here in Seattle, has good prices and a large selection. They actually do most of their business with Seattle's fishing fleet - what's left of it, but retail customers are welcome too.

They put out a catalog that makes West Marine's look like a comic book. Costs $5. Downside is no prices - you have to call or go online. Their website is a PITA to use IMO, but their prices are great.

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/online/

[Meerkat]

Fisheries Supply, here in Seattle, has good prices and a large selection. They actually do most of their business with Seattle's fishing fleet - what's left of it, but retail customers are welcome too.

They put out a catalog that makes West Marine's look like a comic book. Costs $5. Downside is no prices - you have to call or go online. Their website is a PITA to use IMO, but their prices are great.

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/online/

[Meerkat]

Fisheries Supply, here in Seattle, has good prices and a large selection. They actually do most of their business with Seattle's fishing fleet - what's left of it, but retail customers are welcome too.

They put out a catalog that makes West Marine's look like a comic book. Costs $5. Downside is no prices - you have to call or go online. Their website is a PITA to use IMO, but their prices are great.

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/online/

[Noah]

I have found that Go2marine.com has some pretty good deals, and they are out on the west coast. Often their prices are much cheaper than most out there.

Otherwise it's the usual suspects already listed.

[Noah]

I have found that Go2marine.com has some pretty good deals, and they are out on the west coast. Often their prices are much cheaper than most out there.

Otherwise it's the usual suspects already listed.

[Noah]

I have found that Go2marine.com has some pretty good deals, and they are out on the west coast. Often their prices are much cheaper than most out there.

Otherwise it's the usual suspects already listed.

[Scott Rosen]

pyacht.com

I've occassionally found some ABI bronze stuff at the lowest price.

[Scott Rosen]

pyacht.com

I've occassionally found some ABI bronze stuff at the lowest price.

[Scott Rosen]

pyacht.com

I've occassionally found some ABI bronze stuff at the lowest price.

[Ken Hutchins]

I've gotten to about the same place on my boat and considering getting a part time job at a local, boat supply emporium, primarilly to get the employee discount. They are really busy this time of year and are looking for help. So, work a couple of months, earn a bit of extra boat money and get the discount, a double plus on the boat budget. The amount of discount varies depending on what the item is. OK So the emporium occasionally gets rather poor reviews on this here forum so it might be called fraternizing with the enemy but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Ken Hutchins]

I've gotten to about the same place on my boat and considering getting a part time job at a local, boat supply emporium, primarilly to get the employee discount. They are really busy this time of year and are looking for help. So, work a couple of months, earn a bit of extra boat money and get the discount, a double plus on the boat budget. The amount of discount varies depending on what the item is. OK So the emporium occasionally gets rather poor reviews on this here forum so it might be called fraternizing with the enemy but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Ken Hutchins]

I've gotten to about the same place on my boat and considering getting a part time job at a local, boat supply emporium, primarilly to get the employee discount. They are really busy this time of year and are looking for help. So, work a couple of months, earn a bit of extra boat money and get the discount, a double plus on the boat budget. The amount of discount varies depending on what the item is. OK So the emporium occasionally gets rather poor reviews on this here forum so it might be called fraternizing with the enemy but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Spissgatter W-9]

Thanks for the advice folks. Searched your sites to get a fix on prices. Went into local chandlery, told them what I was up to. They opened an account and gave me "boatbuilders" discount (10%). So with this they were able to at least match some and beat most prices.

[Spissgatter W-9]

Thanks for the advice folks. Searched your sites to get a fix on prices. Went into local chandlery, told them what I was up to. They opened an account and gave me "boatbuilders" discount (10%). So with this they were able to at least match some and beat most prices.

[Spissgatter W-9]

Thanks for the advice folks. Searched your sites to get a fix on prices. Went into local chandlery, told them what I was up to. They opened an account and gave me "boatbuilders" discount (10%). So with this they were able to at least match some and beat most prices.

[Bruce Hooke]

Well done...by going to the local chandlery you get to support someone local and have immediate access to what you need.

[Bruce Hooke]

Well done...by going to the local chandlery you get to support someone local and have immediate access to what you need.

[Bruce Hooke]

Well done...by going to the local chandlery you get to support someone local and have immediate access to what you need.

[Meerkat]

Glad to see you've solved your problem!

I guess it's too late to mention that Fisheries has boatbuilder's accounts too - and their discounts are more than 10% - sometimes a LOT more.

I don't know if they match or did match the late, much lamented Doc Freedman's, but Doc would sell you a new Yanmar for about 50% of list if you had one of their boatbuilder's accounts. There is/was a minimum annual purchase requirement on the accounts, but it wasn't much compared to what one would spend building a boat ($2000/yr IIRC).

[Meerkat]

Glad to see you've solved your problem!

I guess it's too late to mention that Fisheries has boatbuilder's accounts too - and their discounts are more than 10% - sometimes a LOT more.

I don't know if they match or did match the late, much lamented Doc Freedman's, but Doc would sell you a new Yanmar for about 50% of list if you had one of their boatbuilder's accounts. There is/was a minimum annual purchase requirement on the accounts, but it wasn't much compared to what one would spend building a boat ($2000/yr IIRC).

[Meerkat]

Glad to see you've solved your problem!

I guess it's too late to mention that Fisheries has boatbuilder's accounts too - and their discounts are more than 10% - sometimes a LOT more.

I don't know if they match or did match the late, much lamented Doc Freedman's, but Doc would sell you a new Yanmar for about 50% of list if you had one of their boatbuilder's accounts. There is/was a minimum annual purchase requirement on the accounts, but it wasn't much compared to what one would spend building a boat ($2000/yr IIRC).