Chandlers for spares while cruising

[Conachair]

Does anyone set up a relationship with a chandlers to get spares etc sent out? Are there any online (or otherwise) worth talking to or any to avoid? Or should I not bother and just deal with problems as they arise. I think it might be nice to have someone at the end of a phone who at least knows who you are and what boat you have, maybe if you bought all your kit from them they might be more inclined to be helpful. I'm thinking of Europe next year, poss caribbean after that.

Thanks

Paddy - Conachair.

 

[jerryat]

Hi Conachair,

Yes, we set up something similar with Ocean Marine in Plymouth when we shoved off cruising to the Med./Caribbean in '96. They had supplied all the 'extras' we wanted prior to leaving at a price that beat anything on the Internet, and we became good friends with those working there.

We wanted to be able to ring/email/fax directly to a person we knew, who would act first and, knowing that we were good for payment, worry about that second.

As it turned out, we must have been better prepared than we thought, 'cos we never had to use the 'service', but it was very nice to know it was there. Sadly, they were taken over by another company a couple of years ago.

We will certainly looking to do the something similar if, as hoped, we can get away cruising again next year.

Cheers Jerry

 

[absit_omen]

Not quite the answer to your question but, even if you find a wilco chandler, things may not be too simple. In our experience of 5 years in the Med, we advise friends to try to leave uk with the sort of things which are difficult to fly out - even accompanied. Heavy things which will be expensive or others which are hazardous (in the opinion of air carriers).

For example, we are currently trying to ship some Awlgrip paint (only 2 quarts) to Portugal for winter maintenance and it is proving difficult. Apart from uk the nearest agent is in Palma. The problem is that, in the past, you could shove two cans of paint in your hold baggage - not anymore.

We are in Gib at the moment and have had a problem getting hold of oil filters (Sheppards only deal with Volvo). We finally got them from a car spares centre who had them sent from Spain. the alternative was direct from Thornycroft -5 quid for the filter, 5 quid postage.

Sadly, the quality of chandlery (quantity and quality) in the Med is far inferior to that in uk so I think it pays to plan ahead.

 

[jerryat]

Yes, I agree with you regarding paint and similar 'hazardous goods', the airlines do seem to be much tougher now than a few years ago.

Just an idea. When we over-wintered in southern Spain, there was always someone who was driving down from/back to the UK, and who would bring down stuff for other yotties.

For example, one very kind chap brought back 6 x 110 amp batteries for a couple of boats to save them the the excruciating cost the local mob wanted. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

We had no problem bringing back non-volatile stuff like alternators, watergen and other boaty stuff by air, though as they weighed several times the allowance, we were damned lucky!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Swagman]

We had some Awlgrip epoxy paint sent from German to Portugal inside 7 days by carrier - but we had the forethought to get it decanted into smaller cans first. And I'm not sure it was not actually marked up as paint.
It was still expensive carriage costs relative to size - but by then I was already in a daze due to the cost of the Awlgrip itself..........

Agree with others that anyone new to cruising to review chandelery needs whever they have a guest arriving from the UK and source items here / ship by hand. Much better than relying on local resources.

JOHN

 

[Anonymous]

For non-boat specific stuff, RS Components (electronic, electrical and mechanical suppliers) will now supply the public and have an excellent export deparment. I got a delivery from RS to Gibraltar recently and was very impressed with their performance and prices. They will also send you a free catalogue on CD which contains a wealth of tech information and allows you to order via phone, fax or email if you don't have www browsing capability.

http://rswww.com

 

[jerryat]

Hi Lemain,

Yes, we also took the RS Components CD with us on our trips, though we didn't have the code for the prices, which was a nuisance. Good company though.

Do you still have to clear everything through the custom place in Gib. or did you manage to get your stuff directly?

The former can be a bit of a pain as I recall and required quite a lot of waiting around when we went to collect our parcels.

Hope you are really enjoying your trip by the way!!

Cheers Jerry

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jerry, Yes, thanks for asking, we are having a terrific time...so much in such a short time. Unforgettable.

RS DHLed the package to Gib who informed the marina that there was a parcel awaiting collection. I then had to visit DHL's office, then their agent, A1, (both in the same building) then take the forms to customs (250 metres away) and return with the papers to collect from DHL. It took about 45 minutes in total but it was the only way to obtain a 600W sine wave inverter and a 4049 CMOS hex inverting buffer (to repair the generator that had failed while at anchor at Isola Culatra). Nobody in Gib had either at any price and the price to me, delivered, was very fair. I still have 19 4049s left over as it only cost £2 for a whole tube!