Also Sprach Harry Krause :

BOAT/US and Boater's World, in most locations, are staffed with clerks
who know almost nothing about boats. I used to shop at the BOAT/US
headquarters store in Alexandria, Virginia. It had one guy who was a
real boater and had knowledge of boating subjects.

Most West Marine stores have staff who know about boats.

Have to disagree, in N. Seattle at least. Our West Marine is staffed
mostly by 17-18 yr old girls. Nice eye candy, but they don't know a damn
thing. Our Boaters World store is staffed mosly by middle aged
guys. Not pretty to look at, most are a bit portly and balding, but all
are experienced boaters. One of the guys only works there in the
winter, in the summer he runs a charter and guide business in
Alaska. Also, Boater's World helps out local fishing club by donating
items for our monthly raffle. Not cheap crap either, I won a hundred
dollar inflatable PFD a few months ago. For years, they've supported our
local fishing newspaper with a full-page ad, which West Marine has never
done.

The price differences can be huge. I needed a water pump kit for my
outboard, West wanted $65, Boater's World had it for $39.

Dan

--
When the world bites, there's no antidote.

-- The Gothic Archies