Posted: 25 August 2009 at 10:28am | IP Logged

blouderback wrote: What's a battery combiner?  What makes it different than a few battery cables hooking up several batteries?

A battery combiner connects the batteries together while they are being charged and disconnects them when they are not being charged.  An automatic battery switch.

The result is, with two or more battery banks, set up as "starting" and "house", you can use loads connected to the house bank without fear of draining the starting battery or bank.

Posted: 14 October 2009 at 9:03am | IP Logged

That's odd, every time I have ordered from Boatfix I have received the exact item that I ordered within a day or two - unless the item is on backorder.  If the item is on backorder, I have received an email from them telling me when they expect it in, and suggesting that I purchase it elsewhere if I need it sooner.

Pretty amazing that it's "still in litigation" after all of two months!!!  Pretty stupid going into litigation, when all you had to do was call your credit card company and dispute the charge.  

Posted: 14 October 2009 at 3:43pm | IP Logged

I can't be surprised, that's about how long it took for me to get my 300 bucks back from Boatfix when they screwed me over...

Posted: 15 October 2009 at 10:07am | IP Logged

DGSDIEHARD wrote: I WOULDN'T TOUCH BOATFIX WITH A TEN FOOT POLE,  ORDERED A PLOTTER TWO MONTHS AGO AND AM STILL WONDERING WHERE IT IS EVEN THOUGH MY CARD WAS CHARGED AT THE TIME OF THE ORDER..........STILL IN LITIGATION........ONE CAN OBTAIN THE SAME PRODUCT FOR THE SAME PRICE AND ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE MERCHINDISE!!!!!!  STAY CLEAR!!!!!!!!!

Quite a first post!

Posted: 15 October 2009 at 12:56pm | IP Logged

I guess you have a special relationship with the owner.  I fear that some of the regular folks don't always get the same service.  I ordered a few times from boatfix and never had a problem, but then again, I have a special relationship with the owner as well.

Posted: 15 October 2009 at 1:32pm | IP Logged

No Bob, I have no special relationship with the owner or anyone affiliated with BoatFix. 

I have NEVER had a negative experience with them.  I have always found them to be reputable, usually the lowest price and their shipping costs are realistic and I have received all items quicker from them than from any other vendor.

The vast majority of people who purchase from them are extremely satisfied, from what I read.

Posted: 20 October 2009 at 2:29pm | IP Logged

I have never had a problem with anything I ordered from them.

They were unresponsive when I had a question about a particular product and I just purchased it elsewhere.

Otherwise very good.

Posted: 01 November 2009 at 1:42pm | IP Logged

I don't use boatfix much any more. Their on-line catalog is a joke - almost unusable - and I don't have the time to try to wade through it. Their forum, boatered.com, is pretty good but less so than in the past. I think the hostility of many of the "regulars" to ill-informed newbies and anyone who does not ascribe to their political philosophy has driven many people away.

I'm a big fan of Defender for boat-related stuff. Their customer service is excellent - they answer their phones and get you answers, returns are easy and refunds are prompt and they will meet boatfix prices.

Posted: 02 November 2009 at 10:56am | IP Logged

nancyinct wrote:  I think the hostility of many of the "regulars" to ill-informed newbies and anyone who does not ascribe to their political philosophy has driven many people away.

I've noticed that on a local fishing/boating forum that I visit, although with less frequency than I used to.

Posted: 02 November 2009 at 11:49am | IP Logged

richiela wrote: Hey Bob:  I haven't seen you over at boatered.com for awhile, did something happen?

My login/password doesn't seem to work anymore, so I can't post.  I've sent numerous emails to the moderator, but they are ignored.   

I still visit daily, and read all the posts, but I can't respond.

Posted: 05 November 2009 at 4:32pm | IP Logged

I do agree with Nancy on a couple of points.

As to Defender, I also found that they were very helpful with my last boat when I needed new headliner and Bomar hatches that they did not normally carry.  Bomar arranged to ship thru them because it was cheaper than me buying direct.

Nothing but good things to say about both Defender and Bomar.

BTW, I often give my non-chain brick and mortar marine store the opportunity to match or come close to internet pricing and they often do.