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boat equipment
Welcome to our Market Place...
Our aim is to provide you with everything you need to make your on-the-water dream a reality. Listed below are vendors and boat equipment that we highly recommend for several reasons. Either we have personal experience of a very positive nature or our fellow cruisers have highly recommended them due to Their personal experience. At the very end are vendors and/or products we steer clear of and why. If you know of any vendors or products that you find to be exemplary, please visit our Visitors Log and let us know about them.
Unfortunately, due to our litigious society, we have to put a disclaimer on the site stating that we accept no responsibility for use of these vendors or products. What a shame.
Unfortunately, due to our litigious society, we have to put a disclaimer on the site stating that we accept no responsibility for use of these vendors or products. What a shame.
Quick Links...
Associations & Publications Bills Blog Boat Services Books Book Reviews Food Substitutions Interesting Stuff Loree's Blog Parenting Afloat Provisioning SeaWolf Links
Associations & Publications Bills Blog Boat Services Books Book Reviews Food Substitutions Interesting Stuff Loree's Blog Parenting Afloat Provisioning SeaWolf Links
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Internet Marketing...
We've managed to do some internet marketing as a means of earning an income as we travel. Contrary to what you hear on the TV infomercials, it wasn't easy to get started and there are a lot of scams out there. To help others look into this income producing possibility, we've put together an Internet Marketing Membership Club. We linked up with some excellent internet marketing gurus and, on a monthly basis, will provide downloadable information, interviews and training videos, along with some excellent and very marketable products. The program has been set up with a $1 introductory charge and then $29.99 per month thereafter. This way, rather than risk thousands of dollars to obtain information you may never use, you can take a look at what's involved in internet marketing for very little money and THEN decide if it's for you. If, after looking at the initial information, you you find internet marketing is not a viable option for you or you are not interested in continuing with your monthly club membership, you can cancel. You can also cancel at any time thereafter.
Just click on the WFA Marketing Link and learn more our Internet Marketing Membership Club.
Just click on the WFA Marketing Link and learn more our Internet Marketing Membership Club.
I've received so many inquiries from visitors and friends about how I produced this website that I've decided to share the secret. It's Blinkweb and it's easy. Their templates are geared for boneheads like me, who knew absolutely nothing about websites. With Blinkweb, it cost NOTHING to develop and host a site using their templates and website. If you have your own domain, they will host it for a small fee. If you want to set up a website, click on the Blinkweb link, above, and just DO IT. In addition to their 5 freebee help videos and their on line help desk, they also have an inexpensive training video called "All Things Blinkweb." It's under $50 and is an excellent training tool.
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SeaStrike Marine Products. I'm convinced that SeaStrike has the absolute best custom designed and built tables available. Herb and Isabel Buscher's customer service is fantastic and their prices are excellent. I'm astounded at how reasonably priced they are and as with their tables, the quality of their chairs and loungers is exceptional!
Click on the SeaStrike Marine name above for more information. |
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West Marine is a great supplier of all things marine. Of great importance is that they are now global, so you can get products wherever you happen to be... a great benefit when your traveling. West Marine has a fantastic policy
to meet competitor pricing, so be sure to know your prices when you're ready to buy. More
important than pricing is the fact that West Marine offers the best quality boating equipment and has the absolute
best customer service around. They stand behind everything they sell
and bend over backwards to make their customers happy.
Click on the West Marine Logo on the right for more information and to check out their products. |
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Sailrite
I was sent to SailRite many, many years ago and I couldn't be more satisfied with the sewing and fabric products and services they've provided. Their sewing machine has proven to be a real workhorse and needs just a little TLC to keep it running flawlessly. On the few occasions I had a problem, the Sailrite videos provided with the machine and/or a phone call to the main office provides all the technical support I could hope for. Also, I have yet to need a product for making/repairing sails or canvas that Sailrite doesn't have or can't get. Sailrite not only know their products, they know their industry and have made suggestions that have made my efforts easier and quicker. They're at all the major boat shows so make a point of visiting them when you go to a show.
I was sent to SailRite many, many years ago and I couldn't be more satisfied with the sewing and fabric products and services they've provided. Their sewing machine has proven to be a real workhorse and needs just a little TLC to keep it running flawlessly. On the few occasions I had a problem, the Sailrite videos provided with the machine and/or a phone call to the main office provides all the technical support I could hope for. Also, I have yet to need a product for making/repairing sails or canvas that Sailrite doesn't have or can't get. Sailrite not only know their products, they know their industry and have made suggestions that have made my efforts easier and quicker. They're at all the major boat shows so make a point of visiting them when you go to a show.
Sewing Machine Repairs (Miami)
I had a very serious problem with my Sailrite sewing machine (self imposed), that I was unable to resolve with assistance from Eric and Matt at Sailrite. Unfortunately, Sailrite no long has a presence in South Florida for service, so I had to go on the hunt for a reputable sewing machine repair service. I was fortunate to find Danny Hernandez at Fusion Services & Supplies (AKA DH Sewing Machine Service & Repair). Fusion is a family owned business and has been servicing and repairing sewing machines in Miami for more than 25 years. As you will see on their website, they service a wide variety of other products for the home. They did a great job fixing my machine at a reasonable rate. You can find them at 6150 NE 4th Court (Just west of Biscayne Blvd.) in Miami. Their telephone number is 305-759-9775. I just can't say enough good things about Fusion! Be sure to tell them that Loree sent you.
I had a very serious problem with my Sailrite sewing machine (self imposed), that I was unable to resolve with assistance from Eric and Matt at Sailrite. Unfortunately, Sailrite no long has a presence in South Florida for service, so I had to go on the hunt for a reputable sewing machine repair service. I was fortunate to find Danny Hernandez at Fusion Services & Supplies (AKA DH Sewing Machine Service & Repair). Fusion is a family owned business and has been servicing and repairing sewing machines in Miami for more than 25 years. As you will see on their website, they service a wide variety of other products for the home. They did a great job fixing my machine at a reasonable rate. You can find them at 6150 NE 4th Court (Just west of Biscayne Blvd.) in Miami. Their telephone number is 305-759-9775. I just can't say enough good things about Fusion! Be sure to tell them that Loree sent you.
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Aakron Inflatable Boats
was a real find. For four years, we looked at everything available to
replace our 11 foot Caribe and were always turned off by the cost...
$4,000 +/- ... or the weight of the fiberglass bottom. Bill stumbled
across Aakron Inflatable Boats on the internet and we looked at the boats at a boat show. With a price of $1,100 for an 11'6"
inflatable with floorboards, an inflatable keel, and a cover that actually fits, it was
irresistible, so we bought it. It is easily deflated and stored in it's own bags, takes
a 15 hp engine, gets up on plane easily and runs like the wind. Sam
Darroch is always available to answer any questions and his customer
service is excellent. For us it was a fantastic buy and we've been very pleased with the quality of the boat and the vendor responsiveness.
Click on the image to the right for more information on Aakron Boats. |
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The Splendide washer/dryer combo is great. Put your clothing in, set the wash cycle, then the dry cycle. Dirty clothes go in and clean, dry clothes come out without the need to switch
loads.
Splendide does not sell direct, but you can get a unit through West Marine. Once you've made your purchase, you will deal with Splendide's service department with all questions. Their technicians are knowledgeable and will walk you through any issues using terminology you can understand. We've had our unit for 6 years and it's worked well for us. Our only problem occurred 18 months after we purchased the unit when a workman damaged the door lock When he moved the unit. Splendide's techs knew exactly what had happened by our description and even sent us a replacement part at no cost to us. Can't get better than that! Just click on the image to the right for more information about Splendide's washer/dryer combo. |
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Problem Products/Vendors
Interlux Trilux 33: Interlux advertising says Trilux 33 is specially formulated for aluminum boats but suitable for fiberglass and wooden boats that want brighter colors. We put Trilux on Sea Wolf and were loaded with barnacles within a month. The Florida rep tried to blame the company that applied the paint saying it should never have been used on fiberglass. The vendor said he's been using Trilux, according to the Interlux application instructions, on fiberglass boats with no problems. Both the vendor and I called and emailed the Florida Rep since he inspected our boat in November, with no luck. When we cornered him at the boat show he was aggressively rude (my opinion) saying he received no emails or phone calls from either me or the vendor. I've just sent an email to Interlux corporate to ask what they plan to do about the problem. Check Loree's Blog for more details and updates.