Aladdin's Cave == Force 4?

nigelmercier

nigelmercier

RIP
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Live in Kent, boat in Canary Islands
www.bavariayacht.info
nigelmercier said:
Am I right in saying that Aladdin's Cave have been taken over by Force 4?
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The original Aladdin's Cave empire predates my need to buy boat bits, but I believe they used to encompass 1) the rigging workshop, 2) a new-chandlery shop, and 3) the chandlery barge selling reclaimed bits.

2) is certainly now Force 4.
1) still trades as Aladdin's Cave Rigging. Not sure who owns it.
3) is still going, I think under the same ownership, but not using the Aladdin's Cave name (which suggests separate ownership from 1) ). I think it's now "The Foulkes Chandlery Barge".

Pete
 
prv said:
The original Aladdin's Cave empire predates my need to buy boat bits, but I believe they used to encompass 1) the rigging workshop, 2) a new-chandlery shop, and 3) the chandlery barge selling reclaimed bits.

2) is certainly now Force 4.
1) still trades as Aladdin's Cave Rigging. Not sure who owns it.
3) is still going, I think under the same ownership, but not using the Aladdin's Cave name (which suggests separate ownership from 1) ). I think it's now "The Foulkes Chandlery Barge".

Pete
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I think the Chandlery Barge was owned by one of the Foulkes brothers and the Alladins Chandlery before it was sold by the other.
I could well be wrong.
 
laika said:
I wrote a cheque in Aladin's Cave at Deacon's yesterday and was asked to make it payable to "Force 4 Chandlery".
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Ta. That's what I'd thought, but I wasn't sure.

What's interesting is that I tried to order some Selden fittings in Force 4, and after waiting a few days I got told they couldn't obtain them after all as they only had a "deck fittings" account with Selden, not a "mast fittings" one (!). I then phoned Aladdin's Cave, who got them for me no trouble. So the businesses aren't all that integrated even if they're actually the same company.

Pete
 
alahol2 said:
There seems to be a new 'hard woman' at the barge... Overheard... "But I've only got a fiver!". "Well you should have brought more money then".
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I've bought lots over the years from old John Foulkes, usually on a wet and windy winter's morning, when 'oJF' pointed me at the kettle and prescribed a hot coffee 'and a tea for me'.... A master craftsman at selling, he left this mortal coil a couple of years back, and is missed.

No freebie tea or coffee down there nowadays, I'm afraid. And rather fewer impulse buys....
 
nigelmercier said:
In one of the seacock handles threads...
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I have just had this reply from Jemma Cull at Force 4 in response to my question about seacock handles:

We bought Aladdins cave 2 years ago I think it is now. We still have the Aladdins Cave Rigging Department, that puts together all our halyards. You can speak to them direct if needed, their telephone number is 023 8040 7600.
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Unbelievable.
 
Caladh said:
The Barge definitley doesn't like to barter - I wanted some second hand cleats and was found some crappy ones for £15, I offered £10 and was uncermoniously sent packing !
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I've stopped going. Was enthusiastic when I first found it, it's a fabulous-looking place, but only if you assume that "secondhand, ancient, and dirty" will equate to a good price. Since there are no prices posted, the impression remains with you until you approach the counter with your trophies, at which point they'll rapidly disabuse you of it.

Only reason to go is if you really need a specific Snurble Grip-Thribley that they stopped making in the mid-70s - if it's made of bronze and goes on a boat there is a reasonably chance they'll have one. If you just need some ordinary fittings at a good price then Force 4/Seamark Nunn/Piplers and eBay are probably a better bet.

Pete
 
Chandlery Barge:

I quite like the place and have got a few things there BUT occasionally the prices are more for 2nd hand than for new. A sort of premium for that genuine distressed look. :)

But there are still some bargains to be had.

I think you need to know what somthing is worth to make it a worthwhile trip.

But they do have a lot of things that other places do not - and that is very useful.

And unlike the boat jumbles, enterence is free!
 
In defence if the Chandlery Barge they offer their stuff at fair prices typically half that of new gear. They are more and more now offering quality new gear, and will offer cash for serviceable secondhand items. Unlike boat jumble sellers they are running a business - would you work for free ?

Since Aladdins Cave was sold to Force Four all familial links to the that chandlers are now broken. This also frees them to offer a wider range of items new.

Also their yard is the best on the Hamble (IMHO), and are half the price of Mercury, etc. also unlike other yards they do not charge for other professionals to work on berth holders boats. I appreciate yachts can't use their yard, but its not their fault someone put the bridges over the river !

They do offer a wealth of free advice and will make tremendous efforts to assist anyone who asks.

Finally I know of no other marina anywhere who provide a completely free annual berth holders party, food beer wine the lot. They also provide at their expense much of the entertainment for the annual Bursledon regatta, including last year's London Bus.

Nicky who runs the shop with Anthony and Glynn Foulkes is very fair, and it is not her fault that some people take the p**s with what they may offer.
 
superheat6k said:
Nicky who runs the shop with Anthony and Glynn Foulkes is very fair, and it is not her fault that some people take the p**s with what they may offer.
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Akshully, I likum. However, sitting on my desk in front of me are two stainless 10" cleats I bought from there a few weeks ago. Surprised I was to discover this week that they are each about £3 cheaper in Force 4 ( Deacons ) just down the lane. That changes my perceptions of where to try first.
 
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