Best Chandlery in SF Bay?

[Thorne]

Well, I *finally* made it back to Whale Pt. Marine / Ace Hardware in Richmond, and of course discovered that their prices AND selection were better for most wood-boat stuff than Waste Marine.

They don't sell Smith & Co. epoxy, but they do carry their CPES and fairing compound for significantly less than the retail prices at Smith's warehouse.

Lou still runs the place, and is a great help with many questions. And they even have some silicon bronze fasteners in stock -- wo-hoo!

Any other great non-corporate chandleries around here? The only other place I've shopped worth the gasoline is West's "damaged goods" center in Oakland, and both the discounts and pickings can be pretty slim there, too.

[ 12-07-2005, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Thorne]

Well, I *finally* made it back to Whale Pt. Marine / Ace Hardware in Richmond, and of course discovered that their prices AND selection were better for most wood-boat stuff than Waste Marine.

They don't sell Smith & Co. epoxy, but they do carry their CPES and fairing compound for significantly less than the retail prices at Smith's warehouse.

Lou still runs the place, and is a great help with many questions. And they even have some silicon bronze fasteners in stock -- wo-hoo!

Any other great non-corporate chandleries around here? The only other place I've shopped worth the gasoline is West's "damaged goods" center in Oakland, and both the discounts and pickings can be pretty slim there, too.

[ 12-07-2005, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Thorne]

Well, I *finally* made it back to Whale Pt. Marine / Ace Hardware in Richmond, and of course discovered that their prices AND selection were better for most wood-boat stuff than Waste Marine.

They don't sell Smith & Co. epoxy, but they do carry their CPES and fairing compound for significantly less than the retail prices at Smith's warehouse.

Lou still runs the place, and is a great help with many questions. And they even have some silicon bronze fasteners in stock -- wo-hoo!

Any other great non-corporate chandleries around here? The only other place I've shopped worth the gasoline is West's "damaged goods" center in Oakland, and both the discounts and pickings can be pretty slim there, too.

[ 12-07-2005, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Art Read]

Believe it or not, there's still a pretty cool, traditional chandlry right on the main drag down by Fisherman's Wharf. Right in amounst all the tourist crap! Can't remember the name, but it's hard to miss... Mr. Cleek? Mr. Fleming?

[Art Read]

Believe it or not, there's still a pretty cool, traditional chandlry right on the main drag down by Fisherman's Wharf. Right in amounst all the tourist crap! Can't remember the name, but it's hard to miss... Mr. Cleek? Mr. Fleming?

[Art Read]

Believe it or not, there's still a pretty cool, traditional chandlry right on the main drag down by Fisherman's Wharf. Right in amounst all the tourist crap! Can't remember the name, but it's hard to miss... Mr. Cleek? Mr. Fleming?

[paladin]

at one time it wuz Boicelli and Mercury in S. San Fran....if they izz still there.....

[paladin]

at one time it wuz Boicelli and Mercury in S. San Fran....if they izz still there.....

[paladin]

at one time it wuz Boicelli and Mercury in S. San Fran....if they izz still there.....

[Thorne]

Ah, but the question is for current times, my friends. I recall several nice chandleries in Sausalito that are no more -- they don't count!

;- )

Can I expand this discussion to include any recommended regular Marine flea markets, particularly those at marinas or yachtclubs? The TSCA flea market will be at their meeting in Alameda on Jan 7.

[ 11-21-2005, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Thorne]

Ah, but the question is for current times, my friends. I recall several nice chandleries in Sausalito that are no more -- they don't count!

;- )

Can I expand this discussion to include any recommended regular Marine flea markets, particularly those at marinas or yachtclubs? The TSCA flea market will be at their meeting in Alameda on Jan 7.

[ 11-21-2005, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Thorne]

Ah, but the question is for current times, my friends. I recall several nice chandleries in Sausalito that are no more -- they don't count!

;- )

Can I expand this discussion to include any recommended regular Marine flea markets, particularly those at marinas or yachtclubs? The TSCA flea market will be at their meeting in Alameda on Jan 7.

[ 11-21-2005, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Bob Cleek]

Boicelli and Mercury are, I believe, out of business. Johnson and Joseph, once down by the foot of Hyde Street on the wharf are also long gone, as is Madden and Lewis in Sausalito, although the Maddens still run the downtown harbor. The other commercial fishing chandlery on Jefferson, whose name escapes me at the moment, is also a goner, I believe. About the best independent chandlery I know of at the moment is Svensens in Alameda. The cost of waterfront retail rental space, the stock flooring costs, and the purchasing power and exclusive purchasing power of WasteMarine (particularly after they bought out BoatUS) has pretty much pushed all the small independent chandleries out of business. Mail order is where it is at these days, I'm afraid. Tough business, chandlery. Always was.

[Bob Cleek]

Boicelli and Mercury are, I believe, out of business. Johnson and Joseph, once down by the foot of Hyde Street on the wharf are also long gone, as is Madden and Lewis in Sausalito, although the Maddens still run the downtown harbor. The other commercial fishing chandlery on Jefferson, whose name escapes me at the moment, is also a goner, I believe. About the best independent chandlery I know of at the moment is Svensens in Alameda. The cost of waterfront retail rental space, the stock flooring costs, and the purchasing power and exclusive purchasing power of WasteMarine (particularly after they bought out BoatUS) has pretty much pushed all the small independent chandleries out of business. Mail order is where it is at these days, I'm afraid. Tough business, chandlery. Always was.

[Bob Cleek]

Boicelli and Mercury are, I believe, out of business. Johnson and Joseph, once down by the foot of Hyde Street on the wharf are also long gone, as is Madden and Lewis in Sausalito, although the Maddens still run the downtown harbor. The other commercial fishing chandlery on Jefferson, whose name escapes me at the moment, is also a goner, I believe. About the best independent chandlery I know of at the moment is Svensens in Alameda. The cost of waterfront retail rental space, the stock flooring costs, and the purchasing power and exclusive purchasing power of WasteMarine (particularly after they bought out BoatUS) has pretty much pushed all the small independent chandleries out of business. Mail order is where it is at these days, I'm afraid. Tough business, chandlery. Always was.

[Jagermeister]

Napa Valley Marina has an interesting assortment of paints, goops, and hardware. SiBronze fasteners. Various fiberglass cloths. West epoxies and fillers. Lots of varnishes. Some rigging stuff. No lumber. If you're close it beats a long drive to somewhere else.

[Jagermeister]

Napa Valley Marina has an interesting assortment of paints, goops, and hardware. SiBronze fasteners. Various fiberglass cloths. West epoxies and fillers. Lots of varnishes. Some rigging stuff. No lumber. If you're close it beats a long drive to somewhere else.

[Jagermeister]

Napa Valley Marina has an interesting assortment of paints, goops, and hardware. SiBronze fasteners. Various fiberglass cloths. West epoxies and fillers. Lots of varnishes. Some rigging stuff. No lumber. If you're close it beats a long drive to somewhere else.

[Thorne]

I will check it out. What with a new grandchild in Vallejo and the evil siren song of cheap tools at Harbor Frieght on Hwy 29 -- that means I'm up there frequently.

Went to Handloggers for the first time in my hometown of Richmond and was DISSAPOINTED! In comparison to the Berkeley MacBeath, the lumber selection was small, prices high, and hours more limited.

Prices for white oak in particular were frightful, nearly $5/bf for 4/4 over 10" wide, when the same thing is $3.35 at MacBeath?

[Thorne]

I will check it out. What with a new grandchild in Vallejo and the evil siren song of cheap tools at Harbor Frieght on Hwy 29 -- that means I'm up there frequently.

Went to Handloggers for the first time in my hometown of Richmond and was DISSAPOINTED! In comparison to the Berkeley MacBeath, the lumber selection was small, prices high, and hours more limited.

Prices for white oak in particular were frightful, nearly $5/bf for 4/4 over 10" wide, when the same thing is $3.35 at MacBeath?

[Thorne]

I will check it out. What with a new grandchild in Vallejo and the evil siren song of cheap tools at Harbor Frieght on Hwy 29 -- that means I'm up there frequently.

Went to Handloggers for the first time in my hometown of Richmond and was DISSAPOINTED! In comparison to the Berkeley MacBeath, the lumber selection was small, prices high, and hours more limited.

Prices for white oak in particular were frightful, nearly $5/bf for 4/4 over 10" wide, when the same thing is $3.35 at MacBeath?

[Gary Bergman]

Coast Marine is the name of the shop in Fisherman's Wharf. Only place on the west coast(Ca.) that had CG legal large size running lights in stock when I needed them....Has the world record for longest ship's ladder....

[Gary Bergman]

Coast Marine is the name of the shop in Fisherman's Wharf. Only place on the west coast(Ca.) that had CG legal large size running lights in stock when I needed them....Has the world record for longest ship's ladder....

[Gary Bergman]

Coast Marine is the name of the shop in Fisherman's Wharf. Only place on the west coast(Ca.) that had CG legal large size running lights in stock when I needed them....Has the world record for longest ship's ladder....

[Gary Bergman]

Call me whatever, but I favor Handloggers over McBeath...goes back a long way, but anyway, Tim at Handloggers built his own boat years ago, and sailed it all over Hades..Never heard any good sea tales when at either McBeath locations....Also, the amount of purpleheart I've been using isn't available many places. I installed new bits from white oak,12/4, eight running feet,by 10 inch for under two hundred frogskins...

[Gary Bergman]

Call me whatever, but I favor Handloggers over McBeath...goes back a long way, but anyway, Tim at Handloggers built his own boat years ago, and sailed it all over Hades..Never heard any good sea tales when at either McBeath locations....Also, the amount of purpleheart I've been using isn't available many places. I installed new bits from white oak,12/4, eight running feet,by 10 inch for under two hundred frogskins...

[Gary Bergman]

Call me whatever, but I favor Handloggers over McBeath...goes back a long way, but anyway, Tim at Handloggers built his own boat years ago, and sailed it all over Hades..Never heard any good sea tales when at either McBeath locations....Also, the amount of purpleheart I've been using isn't available many places. I installed new bits from white oak,12/4, eight running feet,by 10 inch for under two hundred frogskins...

[bainbridgeisland]

I have not lived in the bay area for 12-years but used Whale Point and Vallejo Marine as well as others when I was there.

When building an entire boat, ask these small independents if they will order for you at a discount. The reality of the business is that they have down time, finance costs and flooring costs. I bring in my complete list and my checkbook and ask them if I can pay up front, if they can order for me, I can pick up the stuff in 2-3 weeks and then ask for a discount. I usually get 5-10% off.

West marine won't do this. But your local shop usually can. It is actually profitable for them to do so.

[bainbridgeisland]

I have not lived in the bay area for 12-years but used Whale Point and Vallejo Marine as well as others when I was there.

When building an entire boat, ask these small independents if they will order for you at a discount. The reality of the business is that they have down time, finance costs and flooring costs. I bring in my complete list and my checkbook and ask them if I can pay up front, if they can order for me, I can pick up the stuff in 2-3 weeks and then ask for a discount. I usually get 5-10% off.

West marine won't do this. But your local shop usually can. It is actually profitable for them to do so.

[bainbridgeisland]

I have not lived in the bay area for 12-years but used Whale Point and Vallejo Marine as well as others when I was there.

When building an entire boat, ask these small independents if they will order for you at a discount. The reality of the business is that they have down time, finance costs and flooring costs. I bring in my complete list and my checkbook and ask them if I can pay up front, if they can order for me, I can pick up the stuff in 2-3 weeks and then ask for a discount. I usually get 5-10% off.

West marine won't do this. But your local shop usually can. It is actually profitable for them to do so.

[Thorne]

First, "I'd like to say this about that." as Nixon said...

;- )

I always shop locally if possible and affordable, so if I ever want to order a lot of wood I'll certainly get a quote from Handloggers. Just surprised that they were so much less competitive than MacBeath, and had such a poor selection of white oak.

I'll agree about Hamiltons, they seem to have the best prices, even though they are harder to shop than Jamestown Distributors. But I sure am tired of ending up with zillions of extra bronze fasteners from being forced to purchase boxes of 100.

If none of the chandleries around here will stock what we need, we gotta buy it somewhere! For small numbers of bronze screws I get 'em at Whale Point, as Lou has a basic selection of slot-head screws at survivable individual-screw prices.

[ 12-08-2005, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Thorne]

First, "I'd like to say this about that." as Nixon said...

;- )

I always shop locally if possible and affordable, so if I ever want to order a lot of wood I'll certainly get a quote from Handloggers. Just surprised that they were so much less competitive than MacBeath, and had such a poor selection of white oak.

I'll agree about Hamiltons, they seem to have the best prices, even though they are harder to shop than Jamestown Distributors. But I sure am tired of ending up with zillions of extra bronze fasteners from being forced to purchase boxes of 100.

If none of the chandleries around here will stock what we need, we gotta buy it somewhere! For small numbers of bronze screws I get 'em at Whale Point, as Lou has a basic selection of slot-head screws at survivable individual-screw prices.

[ 12-08-2005, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Thorne]

First, "I'd like to say this about that." as Nixon said...

;- )

I always shop locally if possible and affordable, so if I ever want to order a lot of wood I'll certainly get a quote from Handloggers. Just surprised that they were so much less competitive than MacBeath, and had such a poor selection of white oak.

I'll agree about Hamiltons, they seem to have the best prices, even though they are harder to shop than Jamestown Distributors. But I sure am tired of ending up with zillions of extra bronze fasteners from being forced to purchase boxes of 100.

If none of the chandleries around here will stock what we need, we gotta buy it somewhere! For small numbers of bronze screws I get 'em at Whale Point, as Lou has a basic selection of slot-head screws at survivable individual-screw prices.

[ 12-08-2005, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Gary Bergman]

Just returned from a trip to Handloggers, drove up from Oxnard. Great white oak, 12/4, and a 12' long chunk of 12" wide by 8/4 purpleheart...A few 5/4 Ipe' thrown in, as I'm jammin' some projects together for a History Channel gig next week...(purpleheart carriages for the two new six pound carronades)...You can also order small amts. of bronze fasteners from Waterstreet Hardware in Sausalito. They in turn order from Spence,or someone, and have 'em in two days..
If you are hunting propshafts, or other stainless items that are large, you might find it from Bill at the Sugardock in Pt. Richmond, as he used to be 'Stone Boatyard'....

[Gary Bergman]

Just returned from a trip to Handloggers, drove up from Oxnard. Great white oak, 12/4, and a 12' long chunk of 12" wide by 8/4 purpleheart...A few 5/4 Ipe' thrown in, as I'm jammin' some projects together for a History Channel gig next week...(purpleheart carriages for the two new six pound carronades)...You can also order small amts. of bronze fasteners from Waterstreet Hardware in Sausalito. They in turn order from Spence,or someone, and have 'em in two days..
If you are hunting propshafts, or other stainless items that are large, you might find it from Bill at the Sugardock in Pt. Richmond, as he used to be 'Stone Boatyard'....

[Gary Bergman]

Just returned from a trip to Handloggers, drove up from Oxnard. Great white oak, 12/4, and a 12' long chunk of 12" wide by 8/4 purpleheart...A few 5/4 Ipe' thrown in, as I'm jammin' some projects together for a History Channel gig next week...(purpleheart carriages for the two new six pound carronades)...You can also order small amts. of bronze fasteners from Waterstreet Hardware in Sausalito. They in turn order from Spence,or someone, and have 'em in two days..
If you are hunting propshafts, or other stainless items that are large, you might find it from Bill at the Sugardock in Pt. Richmond, as he used to be 'Stone Boatyard'....