Need some info, re: Marine Connection Liquidators

VirginIslander · #1 12-20-2006, 12:08 AM

Hi guys, I'm hoping some of you in the Fla. area may be able to give me some feedback on this company.

I saw them mentioned in another thread, and the website looks like they have a lot of anything you might need.

I'm looking for a leaning post for my 18SF (and maybe a T-top) and I'm wondering what kind of prices they have, and if the selection is really what it appears to be from the pics on the website.

Since I'm out here on this little rock in the ocean, it's not like I can go check it out for myself.

All info is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Darlene

Capt Chuck · #2 12-20-2006, 09:14 AM

Hi VI

MCL in Ft Pierce, Fla does have quite the boating inventory, yet they live by the ole saying "the more the merrier". This volumn is created because their items, in most part, do not carry Liquidation Price Tags.They like to sneek in just under retail and sometimes have an outrageously high cost. Many old OEM stock, pieces from parted out boats and bleamished gear. Most stuff is not marked and a quoted price may differ depending which employee you ask. They have a 30 day money back guarantee and store credit after that.
I have found special items in the past and just spending a few hours in the store browsing is fun and who knows what you might end up with.

I will be traveling by this place today and I'll count the leaning posts that they have on the playground that would fit an 18'. Anything else that you think the old fat man in the red suit might want to buy you,let me know this morning before I shove off

VirginIslander · #3 12-20-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Hi VI

MCL in Ft Pierce, Fla does have quite the boating inventory, yet they live by the ole saying "the more the merrier". This volumn is created because their items, in most part, do not carry Liquidation Price Tags.They like to sneek in just under retail and sometimes have an outrageously high cost. Many old OEM stock, pieces from parted out boats and bleamished gear. Most stuff is not marked and a quoted price may differ depending which employee you ask. They have a 30 day money back guarantee and store credit after that.
I have found special items in the past and just spending a few hours in the store browsing is fun and who knows what you might end up with.

I will be traveling by this place today and I'll count the leaning posts that they have on the playground that would fit an 18'. Anything else that you think the old fat man in the red suit might want to buy you,let me know this morning before I shove off

Wayyy Cooool,

The leaning post is the priority item. I had to take out the rotted POS of a bench on a pedestal mount that was in it. Not having something to lean against or sit on while driving takes a lot of fun out of it.

Hopefully, they'll have something nice at an affordable price.

Thanks so much,

Darlene

Solafide · #4 12-20-2006, 11:14 AM

You can try Flouder pounder Marine in Cape Canavaral,I have had success with them.

NoBones · #5 12-20-2006, 02:41 PM

Here are two more and not as pricey as MCL

Boat House Melbourne

Surplus Unlimited Daytona

See ya, Ken

joey · #6 12-20-2006, 09:08 PM

If Capt.Chuck doesn't find anything that fits your boat I have a leaning post that I bought for a boat I was having built that I don't need anymore.I think it is 30 or 32 inches wide and has 3 rod holders across the back.I would show you a pic but don't have one and it is in Stuart at Wildfire.If you end up having an interest I'm sure we can get someone in Stuart to take a pic of it.

VirginIslander · #7 12-20-2006, 11:58 PM

Kudos to Capt_Chuck!!!

He went way beyond the call of duty on his mission to MCL!
He checked out about half a dozen leaning posts that would fit my 18', and took multiple pics and a description of each.

About as close to being there myself as it could get.

As you guys mentioned, they aren't bargain basement priced, but they are several hundred bucks cheaper than retail from Birdsall or Action for a similar unit.

About a grand gets a very nice leaning post with most of the bells and whistles. I can work with that. I didn't see any leaning posts on the other websites posted, so I don't have any other comparisons.

Now I just have to solve the shipping logistics. How far is it from MCL to West Palm? ... That's where the cargo that ships here leaves from.

Maybe you guys can think of some suggestions for getting it here.

Thanks so much in advance,

Darlene

NoBones · #8 12-21-2006, 01:31 AM

Just another thought, this was one of about 15 on Ebay
See ya, Ken

Blue_Heron · #9 12-21-2006, 08:13 AM

Hey, Darlene,
I bought this bare bones leaning post on ebay and was very satisfied with the service and quality. It looks much better on the boat than it does in the pic. He also fabricates posts with more bells and whistles, though he doesn't currently have any listed. Don't know if he can arrange shipping to the Virgin Islands, but it might be worth checking out. If you contact the seller, he can probably tell you what he lists the higher end models for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/36-an...QQcmdZViewItem

Dave

VirginIslander · #10 12-21-2006, 10:21 AM

One of the "problems" with living down here in paradise, is that almost anything you want has to come from the states, and a lot of companies are reluctant to ship here, or do business in the Caribbean.

The other drawback is that you have so little dispute resolution recourse, and it's easy to be taken advantage of.
Buying on Ebay scares me to death.

Sending anything here by UPS is shockingly expensive, .... cost me $55 for a small box of dive scooter parts no bigger than a baseball, and $130 for a box not much larger.

The most effecient way to get large items here is to have them shipped to the freight forwarding company in West Palm that runs a weekly cargo shipment to the islands here.

As I've been doing my homework on leaning posts, there are some that disassemble to a UPS-able size and weight. Certainly an advantage in my case...

About the nicest one is the Taco made, Neptune Deluxe.

http://www.smittysmarine.net/leaning_post%20special.htm

Interestingly enough, that's the nicest of the ones that Capt_Chuck sent me pics of from his trip to MCL.

It could UPS ground ship to the freight company and then boat its way here.

If anyone knows of good prices on the Neptune Deluxe (need the backrest too), especially if it's from a Classic SeaCraft friendly vendor, let me know.

Thanks so much for everyone's input,

Darlene