Visit our Popular Forums

Normanby · 05-09-2013, 00:47

I need various goodies for my Compass 28, and i prefer to buy second-hand where possible.

I don't know of any actual second-hand vendors in my area (Williamstown, Victoria), i had hoped there'd be the yottie equivalent of a "wrecker's yard" - but can't seem to locate such a beast.

Maybe i'm doing it wrong, but whenever i'm on ebay i only ever get to see new items. Seems to my inexperienced eye that new product sellers have taken over ebay.

Gumtree and Trading Post give me similar experiences.

When i gurgle "second-hand yacht equipment Australia" i invariably get sellers of new items, very few second-hand, if any.

Am i missing something in my knuckle-headed searches?

People must upgrade their gear all the time, i can't believe that old winches and the like end up as land fill. Surely someone gathers them up and re-sells them?

Thanks,
Matt

**Coops** · 05-09-2013, 01:35

Google "The Boat shed" It's a lady who operates a second hand boat parts business out of a van On the Gold Coast. if you cannot find it, she advertises on Gumtree in Boats for sale section.

Cheers, Coops

Normanby · 05-09-2013, 15:36

Thanks Coops.
However, i googled and googled, and searched gumtree, but alas couldn't find her.
If you happen to stumble on her online presence, if she has one, i'd be grateful for a link.
I've spent more time today on ebay; perhaps if anyone has some preferred sellers on there i can look up their catalogue?
All suggestions welcome.

**JPA Cate** · 05-09-2013, 15:51

Normanby,

There's an outfit called "Boat Bits" on the north side near Sydney.

I understand there's a friendly yacht club in Williamstown, perhaps an enquiry on the message board would yield some positive results...

Another possibility is to ask the boatswain at the haulout yards if they've heard of one. There used to be one in Hobart, but it has closed. I bet there's a lot of good stuff hidden in people's sheds!

Ann

boden36 · 05-09-2013, 16:36

There was one called "The Marine Exchange" on the south side of Tom Uglys Bridge in Sydney - don't know whether he is still there.

Regards,
Richard

Normanby · 05-09-2013, 18:37

Just phoned the yard manager at the "Royals" in Willy (they plonked "magpie" in the water for me), who reckons there's no such place to go and rummage through piles of boaty bits.
Thanks for the other tips, the search continues...

HopCar · 05-09-2013, 19:21

Sounds like a business opportunity.

Dod42 · 05-09-2013, 19:32

I have searched and arrived at the same conclusions. I have had success on ebay and gumtree. Also the local VMR have 3 "Boatie Markets" as a fund raiser per year where people can sell their bits. Next one is November 3rd. Very successful and some absolute bargains. No idea why there isn't more of them. The "Boat Shed" mentioned above is still advertising on ebay and gumtree but doesn't seem to respond to emails or SMS (well certainly not to me anyway) They do run a market stall on the Gold Coast on weekends. Their phone number is 0449894719.

If it came down to it I have a Harken 48.2ST that I need to swap for something like a 44 or 40

SailPenelope · 05-09-2013, 19:32

Minney's Yacht Surplus in Newport Beach, CA is what you want. Bins and bins of stuff: I can spend hours there. Not your neighborhood, I know, and not much of a website (except for sails). Guess I'm just frustrating you more......but if you're ever down this way.....it might almost be worth the cost of the trip.......

Normanby · 05-09-2013, 20:15

Ever the entrepreneur eh HopCar?

Thanks Dod, you're a better Gurgler than me!
I guess the VMR one is this: Boaties Market

Dod42 · 05-09-2013, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normanby

Ever the entrepreneur eh HopCar?

Thanks Dod, you're a better Gurgler than me!
I guess the VMR one is this: Boaties Market

Yep thats it. Missed out on a very nice Spinaker last time, too slow. If going go early.

HopCar · 05-09-2013, 20:49

'Ever the entrepreneur eh HopCar?"

I'd come down and do it for you guys but I don't think you want me moving to your beautiful country. Can I at least come for a visit some day?

Actually there are many successful used boat equipment stores in the US. I'm sure you guys could do it in Oz. It really sounds like there is an unmet demand.

Dod42 · 05-09-2013, 20:59

There are a few people setting up ebay type stores selling used sails, and sometimes you can get a mast or boom complete but it's not the same as being able to rummage through bins of bargain stuff. I guess most people who could do it are either too interested in selling you new stuff or too busy off cruising to bother. Pity as like you I think there is a market here. Would love to know what happens to all the trashed boats from the cyclones or other accidents? I cannot imagine the insurance companies just send them to land fill?

**Coops** · 06-09-2013, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normanby

Thanks Coops.
However, i googled and googled, and searched gumtree, but alas couldn't find her.
If you happen to stumble on her online presence, if she has one, i'd be grateful for a link.
I've spent more time today on ebay; perhaps if anyone has some preferred sellers on there i can look up their catalogue?
All suggestions welcome.

Will keep a look out.

Coops.

Normanby · 06-09-2013, 06:25

Thanks Coops.

I've trawled through eBay more now and found a few things about 15% off bricks-mortar-retail prices, but all still new. I guess the margins are just so much better than with second-hand gear.

I just struggle with the idea of filling my 40 year-old, $21k boat with $10k worth of shiny new gear. The boat is kind of like an escape from rampant consumerism, in my mind.

Don't get me wrong, I could salivate over sexy boat porn all night, I just feel a little more righteous resurrecting some old gear ( much of which was better built).

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopCar

I'd come down and do it for you guys but I don't think you want me moving to your beautiful country. Can I at least come for a visit some day?.

Anytime mate, you're welcome here.
Matt