You can’t maintain a boat without ordering a few marine supplies, so Practical Sailor readers offered (mostly) high praise and appreciation for our guide to “16 Independent Marine Suppliers You Should Know About.”
We knew we were missing worthy candidates—beyond giants Amazon, Walmart and West Marine—so we invited readers to share their own suggestions. Share they did, with nearly a score of comments on the article within less than two weeks.
The biggest gap in our collection was in Canada, where West Marine doesn’t operate and where far-flung locations leave room for regional favorites. Contributor Marc Robic and reader Leo Reise set things straight, recommending at least five notable Canadian marine suppliers with locations ranging from Halifax in the east to Vancouver in the west.
Which Outfits Did We Miss?
Our first collection covered most of the major sailing meccas in the U.S., but readers suggested a supplier we missed on New York’s Long Island, two in Texas, one on Florida’s west coast, a used equipment shop in Washington State, and one supplier with three distinct, sail-oriented stores in San Diego, CA.
Readers also suggested specialized suppliers, including a sailing hardware manufacturer that sells direct-to-retail online, a Catalina interior and canvas specialist, and a marine LED lighting specialist.
Alas, we have to stick by our guideline that these suppliers must sell to consumers online, so Practical Sailor readers anywhere can do business with them. Thus, we did not include Brewer’s Marine Supply, a Canadian business-to-business distributor, and Minney’s Yacht Surplus, a sail-oriented used and consignment shop that sells only through its store in Costa Mesa, CA (though it certainly looks like it’s worth a visit if you ever get down to Orange County, CA).
Click on the slides below to learn about the 14 marine suppliers and sailing-specific specialists suggested by Practical Sailor readers.
1. Binnacle.com
Headquarters: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Year founded: 1992
Retail location(s): Online only
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: A Canadian supplier touted by contributor Marc Robic and reader Leo Reise, The Binnacle was founded in 1992 and describes itself as “Canada’s premier supplier of marine, sailing and boating accessories and equipment.” Binnacle.com carries a robust selection of sailing hardware and also stocks three sizes of Laser one-design sailboats. The Halifax location cuts shipping times to customers in the eastern provinces.
2. Blackburn Marine
Headquarters: Kemah, TX
Year founded: 1968
Retail location(s): Kemah, TX
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Recommended by reader John Cutler, Blackburn Marine is a family-run business that was founded in Houston in 1968 and later moved to Kemah, a small town on the Texas Gulf Coast. “Our sales professionals are boaters themselves,” says the Blackburn website, so customers can be “confident in our extensive product knowledge.” What’s more, this outfit cares about sailing. The company’s Facebook page congratulated Team Blackburn Marine Racing for placing third at the J/22 Midwinters Championship in 2022.
3. Boater’s Resale Shop of Texas
Headquarters: Kemah, TX
Year founded: 2005
Retail location(s): Kemah, TX
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? Yes
Description: Touted by reader John Cutler, The Boating Resale Shop of Texas buys, sell, consigns and trades used boat equipment and small boats. “Sailboats, powerboats, shrimp boats, oyster boats, and commercial boats are all within our trade area” on Galveston Bay, says the website. The shop offers seriously vintage hardware, an extensive (and more recent) sail inventory, and mixed vintages of electronics, safety equipment, propellers, inboard and outboard motor parts, gift items and more. You can shop online 24/7 or visit the store in Kemah, TX, Wednesday through Saturday.
4. Boathouse
Headquarters: Pointe-Claire, Quebec, CA
Year founded: 1990s
Retail location(s): Pointe-Claire, Quebec, CA
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Touted by contributor Marc Robic, Boathouse is a Canadian marine chandlery that has been serving customers for more than 30 years. The Boathouse’s “about” description says it’s “a family run business” that focuses on service and selection for boating and cottage enthusiast. Of interest to sailors, there’s a full service rigging department that specializes in the construction of stainless steel wire cables and custom rope splicing.
5. Catalina Interior and Canvas Shop
Headquarters: Chatsworth, CA
Year founded: 2012
Retail location(s): Online only
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Touted by reader Nelson Yaple, Catalina Interior and Canvas was founded by Hilario, a man described on the company’s website as “personal upholsterer of Mr. Frank Butler (the late founder and owner of Catalina Yachts) and foreman of the Catalina Yachts Cushion Department for more than 35 years.” Given that Catalinas are the most widely owned boat in North America, this business has a world of opportunity to sell everything Catalina, including model-specific interior and cockpit cushions, dodgers, winch covers, mainsail covers, halyard bags, mattresses, fitted sheets and more.
6. The Chandlery
Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Year founded: 1982
Retail location(s): Ottawa, Canada
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Recommended by reader Leo Reise and founded in 1982, The Chandlery, based in Ottawa, Ontario, was owned and run for nearly 40 years by Scott Smyth. In 2021, Smyth sold the business to long-time employee Matthew Hobbs. According to trade publication Boating Industry Canada, The Chandlery is “one of the largest marine stores in Canada.”
7. Freeport Marine Supply
Headquarters: Freeport, NY
Year founded: 1939
Retail location(s): Freeport, NY
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Recommended by reader Douglas Steven Johnston, Freeport Marine Supply was founded in 1939 by Arthur Ross and is now owned and operated by his grandson, Justin Ross. An institution on New York’s Long Island, Freeport boasts a 3,200-square-foot showroom and an 18,000-square-foot warehouse, making in-store browsing and online selection, stocking and fast shipping strong suits.
8. Garhauer Marine
Headquarters: Upland, CA
Year founded: 1970
Retail location(s): Online only
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Recommended by reader Nelson Yaple, Garhauer Marine is a manufacturer and online seller of its own sailing hardware, including a huge variety of blocks, dingy davits, Kayak and SUP racks, radar towers, stanchions, travelers, turnbuckles and more. Co-founded by Guido Gargiulo and Bill Felgenhauer in 1970, the business continues to be run by “the founders and three generations of their families [that] come to work each morning.” Among them are at least four sailboat owners. The production machine shop will also handle custom orders.
9. Longship Marine
Headquarters: Poulsbo, WA
Year founded: 2010
Retail location(s): Poulsbo, WA
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? Yes
Description: Reader Peter McMinn offers high praise for Longship Marine of Poulsbo, WA. The business has offered new, used and consignment merchandise since 2010. New merchandise includes hard-to-find items such as sailmaker’s twine and needles, cotton and oakum caulking, bronze hardware, tools, electrical items and offbeat nautical books. Used and consignment merchandise runs the gambit across every marine supply category. There’s a huge catalog of used sails noting the luff measurement and attachment type (wire, rope bolt, hank-on, etc.).
10. Marinebeam
Headquarters: Charleston, SC
Year founded: 2007
Retail location(s): Online only
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Recommended by reader James Martin, Marinebeam specializes in advanced LED technology made specifically for boats and marine applications. According to the company’s website, “Marinebeam was founded by a life-long sailor, electronics geek, and ex-automotive lighting manufacturer who became frustrated with the poor quality and high-prices of LED lighting products sold for marine use.” The company says it offers “some of the best current-control and EMI-free topologies available for marine lighting,” with output, color temperature, and longevity “second to none.”
11. Marine Outfitters
Headquarters: Kingston, Ontario, CA
Year founded: 1999
Retail location(s): Kingston, Ontario
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Another Canadian supplier recommended by contributor Marc Robic, Marine Outfitters was established in 1999 and is owned and operated by 40-plus-year boater/sailor David Wilby. Marine Outfitters offers a discount “Royalty” program, shipping discounts for orders over $150 Canadian, and splicing and swaging services for sailors. The business supports youth sailing by extending double Royalty discounts to recognized Learn to Sail programs.
12. San Diego Marine Exchange
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Year founded: 1950
Retail location(s): Three distinct stores in San Diego
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? Yes
Used/consignment? No
Description: Contributor Todd Vorenkamp and reader Dennis Boecker both recommend the San Diego Marine Exchange group, which has three specialized stores. Downwind Marine caters to serious bluewater sailors, offering everything from AIS and offshore navigation equipment to wind generators, charging systems and offshore safety gear. San Diego Marine Supply focuses on boatyard and operating needs, including running gear, tools, fasteners, and engine, electrical and plumbing parts. Sailing Supply focuses on sailboat hardware, rigging and technical apparel. Reader Boecker says “they’re exceptionally well set up to support long-range cruisers.”
13. Steveston Marine & Hardware
Headquarters: Vancouver, British Columbia, CA
Year founded: 1941
Retail location(s): Vancouver
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Another supplier touted by contributor Marc Robic and reader Leo Reise, this Western Canadian favorite was founded in the British Columbia fishing village of Steveston. Self-described as “one of Western Canada’s largest marine and boating suppliers,” Steveston has “a robust online store, proudly serving boaters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts across the country.”
14. The Yacht Rigger
Headquarters: St. Petersburg, FL
Year founded: 2014
Retail location(s): St. Petersburg and St. Augustine, FL
Online store: Yes
Exclusively sail? No
Used/consignment? No
Description: Reader Matthew Chachere says The Yacht Rigger offers “competitive prices and fantastic tech support.” The company specializes in marine upgrades and maintenance, from rigging, electrical, lithium battery, and solar arches, to custom metal fabrication, air conditioning, deck hardware and more. For those who can’t take advantage of on-site and mobile services near its locations in St. Petersburg and St. Augustine, FL, The Yacht Rigger works with 27 dealers, globally, and its online store offers specialty items including Epoch batteries, Victron battery management and inverter equipment, Rainman watermakers, teak grab rails and lumber, and GoDu aluminum dinghies.
Both list were great, but I can’t believe Minney’s Yacht Surplus in Costa Mesa, CA hasn’t been mentioned, it has been a go to for me for decades.
Minney’s was mentioned in the intro as a worthy, reader-selected supplier, but it does not offer online shopping (just on site), so it was not included in the slide show (as also explained in the article intro). Thanks!
Gentlemen,
I’m surprised Defender Marine was not included. I have been dealing with them for 20+ years and find they have everything you could possibly want and at prices that always, always beat the big W.
When you have to phone in an order they are curtious, efficient, and friendly.
Simon Zorovich
Simon,
Defender was included our previous collection, “16 Marine Suppliers You Should Know About,” which is linked in the intro to this Reader’s Choice of 14 additional favorite suppliers.
Very glad to see GarhauerMarine listed — they’ve always been high quality and good value.
Note that Binnacle actually has two web addresses. One has Canadian prices and the link shown in the article is preceded by “ca.” The other one is in U.S. prices and the link shown in the article is preceded by “us.”
I’d also like to note Rod Collins’ MarineHowTo site (stick a .com after that name and you’re there) — he’s a ABYC Certified Marine Electrical Systems Specialist and top-notch source of marine installation advice, now selling a very limited selection of good deals on particular electronic equipment via Amazon.