where do I find used parts??

[argonavis]

Anyone out there have any great suggestions on where to buy used good condition hardware etc. I have found a few websites but still feel as though I am missing a bigger picture.

[kaynee30]

The only way I found to get parts (opening ports) was to buy an derelict Triton, after a thorough search for the ports. As far as I know, no one makes them anymore; but there was a guy who posted on the NTA site several months ago who had found something close. He asked for measurements of the openings: as I recall, the new ones were slightly oversized, and I was unsure that there would be enough space to allow for a fit. Don't know how he made out.

[Tim]

The way I see it, the only way to find truly valuable and useful boat parts is to become one of those flea market/consignment/Ebay nuts who searches each and every garage sale, antique store, nautical consignment shop, what have you, on a regular basis. To what extent one chooses to do this depends greatly on the individual. Some folks love this process; others do not. I don't think it should be considered a viable means of obtaining quality parts unless one truly enjoys the process.

There are plenty of good parts out there, but finding the thing you want or need at right time is the hard part. The Internet seems to mostly fail in this area, as most sites that exist simply don't keep an active-enough inventory, particularly when they also have a retail outlet. Ebay is a good choice, but you have to be lucky and search consistently. It can take hard work to find the thing of your dreams.

Networks such as this forum, and others, are the other good way to sometimes find interesting things.

[JetStream]

Wickford Marine Consignment has a lot of ports, but they usually don't match the one you really want. I wish there was a better way for consignment stores to catalog their stuff without having to go there and wade through it.

[Tim]

For what it's worth, the original question was about boat pArts, in general, and not pOrts, specifically. It's easier to find a part that works than a port that works.

[penthink from work]

Don't know that there will be anything of any true value to you, but there is a place up on Route 1 in Newcastle that apparently has been a good source of stuff for some of my boating buddies. Newcastle is about an hour north of Portland. The place is, apparently, filled to bursting with marine junk of every kind. He even has a bunch of derelict hulls sitting in the front of the place. Might be a real find, or may yield you absolutely nothing. Also, there used to be a guy that came to the wooden boat show in Portland every year that would just lay out tables upon tables of just...stuff. From chocks and cleats to rigging, you-name-it. I have also heard of a guy down in Mass. that has quite a collection, and I can try to get his name for you.

What are you looking for, specifically?

Mike

[dasein668]

Tsk Tsk... Loggin in from work... Tsk tsk... heheh

I've never been to that place up in Newcastle, but apparently its quite the strange place and the guy who owns/runs it is pretty odd too. Depending on his mood he might just boot you right out the door?this is the word from a friend of mine who goes up there occasionally. He says he's found some great deals on crazy junk, but another time he picked something up and asked "How much?" then put it back down saying that he didn't want to pay that much and the guy was like: "You! Out!"

Don't know how accurate his story really was, but he still goes up there, so...

Might be worth the drive...

[Tim]

...there is a place up on Route 1 in Newcastle...

That's Mott's Marine Salvage. They usually sell stuff on Ebay, too, under the seller name "momarsal".

Never been in there...doubt I ever will. I did buy some bronze sail slides from them off Ebay a few years ago, though.