Should you buy a WestMarine dinghy?

The short answer is probably not, but you can watch the video to see the experience we had as well as a friend with their WestMarine dinghy.

[crockernevln]

It sounds to me like the dinghies aren't meant for southern use. Up here in Maine where the season is about 2 months (and lots of rainy days), the dinghies do really well. I've heard from insiders that Achillies are the only ones that never break down.

[martinschulz]

Instead of giving a legitimate refund, they basically force you into spending the money in their stores. West Marine doesn't lose a Penney.

[whodapple]

Was about to look at a 2019 Hypalon 310 that someone is selling for $100. One side of the inflatable has delaminates from the fiberglass bottom. It seems like an easy repair, but might be the reason he is selling so cheap!

[jessesizemore]

So what dinghy did y'all end up with? I didn't quite catch the brand at the end

[sailinglaysan]

So here is the thing, WM used to be privately owned it then became a Co with shareholders and an BoD and it turned the Co into a "for profit first" Co. that of course brought some customer dissatisfaction and that brought a change in Directors the head boy (who turned around a large outdoor Co in the USA) quickly did more cuts in quality control and reliable suppliers. Also cuts in employees benefits etc. that led to knowledgeable employees leaving, a bonus when you do not want employees knowing what you now sell is...
For example WM brand RIBs were Zodiacs, that was farmed out to a Chinese supplier...
The scam about the store credit is that WM still owns your money today but the value of the store credit is less today then it was 5 years ago. In my view WM CEO has taken a huge bet, In difficult time he has chosen to run on the good name of WM while cutting on service, quality, fair prices and warranty. All this hoping they will make enough $$ to weather the storm of unhappy clients further down the road.
I would have made such a bet if I was the CEO and if the bet was made I would not take the odds. Now inflation has hit, Covid has hit, trump as effectively killed the economy for anyone who does not have large amount of liquidity, and enrage the international community. etc.
Bad timing for any company who decided to lower its value proposition to its clients.

[SailingSarah]

Corporate America has gone in the trash.

[cyb]

wow, yo soy el segundo dueno de un west marine que cuando lo compre tenia 22 anos y conmigo ya lleva 3, pensaba comprar un west marine nuevo mas grande pero viendo esto cambie de opinion, gracias por el video

[lakkchina]

Inflatable boats are not designed to leave it alone long time under the sun… the same issue will happen with a highfield boats, you probably will take care in a better way of a highfield mostly because is pricey. Also you got a refunded and you do this video. Wow wow… hopefully karma take action on you guys