Buying boat stuff in Singapore

[snoozydude]

Howdy
Does anybody know if there any bargin boat bits to be had in Singapore?

Is there much of a sailing scene there?

 

[Cruiser2B]

I can't imagine any bargains in Singapore - I think it's $14 for a Singapore Sling at Raffles.

 

[boatmike]

Be very careful. While things can be bought more cheaply in Singapore they are often not what they seem. I project managed 2 superyacht build projects in the far east and the whole area is a rip off zone. Branded products are often illegal copies, stainless steel is often low grade or not ss at all, and often what is on the inside of a carton is not what is represented on the outside. I expect this will cause a stream of protests but "be afraid", check it out thoroughly before buying and always open cartons to check before parting with money. Frankly we always found mail order from the USA better value and safer.

 

[Mirelle]

\"Bargain\" never belongs in the same sentence as \"Singapore\"!

Yes, there is a sailing scene.

Singapore is a VERY expensive place.

The only boating bargains I ever came across in East Asia were some good rope from a fisherman's chandler in Aberdeen in Hong Kong , some very nice navigation lights from Tung Woo (now closed down) and, courtesy of the Tianjin Mafia, all the Musto, Hely Hansen, Henri-Lloyd and Gill oilskins I could manage, in Beijing, "off the back of a truck".

 

[Sailfree]

Re: \"Bargain\" never belongs in the same sentence as \"Singapore\"!

[ QUOTE ]
, all the Musto, Hely Hansen, Henri-Lloyd and Gill oilskins I could manage, in Beijing, "off the back of a truck".

[/ QUOTE ]

Were they genuine or copies?

 

[Mirelle]

Re: \"Bargain\" never belongs in the same sentence as \"Singapore\"!

All absolutely genuine. I bought 20+ sets for various friends besides outfitting the boat.

They are all made in China, with the possible exception of the most expensive Musto breathables, as I could never get them.

I did part with the yellow Musto trousers that say "RNLI" on them and they are currently aboard a Westerly Sealord in Tierra del Fuego.

I am told that it is normal, in the rag trade, to factor in some production line "leakage" when manufacturing in places where the labour cost is lower.

 

[snoozydude]

Thanks you all your replies maybe I will stick to eating and beer.

Mirelle you must have been lucky in Beijing I found the language barrier difficult though there is all manor of snow gear to be had.



Discount yacht gear a

 

[Sea Devil]

I only found one chandlers in Singapore - in one of the shopping tower blocks.. mainly electronics and winches type stuff... They ship duty free to Langkawi - which makes the prices quite reasonable on more expensive gear.. I was surprised that there were not more chandlers but I suppose in places like Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia there are relatively few 'modern' boats and the market is tiny.

Michael

 

[spannerman]

I was in Stanley market in Aberdeen, Hong Kong and while buying silk shirts for a lady friend, kitted myself out with new skiing togs!

 

[Mirelle]

Rudimentary shopping Mandarin:

Customer: "Ni Hao? Musto oilskins, yo mayo?"

("Hello, have you got any Musto oilskins?")

Stall holder: "Yo. Nege!"

("I have some. These!")

Customer: "Xiao, ye da, yo mayo?"

"Have you any smaller, also larger?"

Stallholder: "Yo..deng yi deng.." (ferrets in back of shop)

"Yeah, hang on a minute.." (ferrets in back of shop)

Customer: "Xie Xie... Doushao tien?"

("Thanks, How much are these?")

(stallkeeper comes up with Price Beyond the Dreams of Avarice (say, 1/3 of UK retail...))

Customer: "Aieeyaa! Tai gwei le!"

("Ye Gods! Far too expensive!"

(haggle ensues...)

etc...