Truck Stop Boat Parts

[JimMcGee]

We all know the word "Marine" on the package adds at least a 30% markup -- sometimes as much as 100%.

Now if I'm buying electrical wire, stainless hardware or a through hull I'll gladly pay extra for marine grade. But that's not always the case.

At the local truck stop I found a 12v 19" flat screen with an internal DVD player for $325 (compare @ $500 for similar 12v model w/o DVD at Defender). A 12v wet/dry vac identical to one at West Marine for $10 less at the time ($19 vs. $29). And an emergency repair kits for diesel exhaust systems and hoses.

I've also hit some deals at the RV store. My water filters are usually about 20% less (same brand/model), $30 off my fresh water pump and an AC vent that was $29 at the marine store was $3.99 ! I also picked up some light fixtures.

What kind of deals have you scored on boat stuff and where?

[CorvetteGuy]

Flea markets are great,,I bought a box of stuff for $75 of all kinds of boating parts, brand new harken traveller, 2 cam cleats, tonnes of stainless parts. Some people just dont have a clue what it is...

[Barquito]

Butyl tape from a RV store.
Sunbrella-like fabric remnants from an online (non-marine) store.
Plywood for building dinghy from Home Despot. (Dinghy looks like crap after 6 years of regular weekend use... but still works great... next one will be marine ply)