Defender Marine

I recently went online to find a few parts for this upcoming spring. After hunting around for best pricing for a few forespar fittings as well as an auto-retract for Bennett Trim Tabs. Defender had better pricing than all others and their online website... while new and different made the checkout process quick and easy. Once the order was done processing the shipping was very fast. Had it the same week I ordered it. Located in Maine.

Great service in store. Customer service for web is also great and friendly. Best selection of inflatable boats and yacht tenders dingy and outboard motors Zodiac Highfield AB Achilles

People, Product, Process. Widely considered core components for business success. I'd add professionalism and courtesy.

I'm a new Defender customer so can't speak to comments posted by longer term customers. I can say that they returned a phone call to someone they didn't know (me), took time on the phone, followed up with email info and when I came into the store a week later, more than one of their extremely competent personal took time to help me out.

Back story, I bought a zodiac milpro second hand, had a bunch of dumb questions and had already made a few dumb rookie mistakes. Because I'd already purchased the boat and was only inquiring about fixing my aforementioned rookie moves, it was clear I probably wasn't gonna be a huge customer.

That didn't stop these guys from showing me the best part of themselves as well as what a well run business is all about. I do think that helping me out of a jamb may have provided them with a few laughs at the coffee break later that morning but if so, I wouldn't have known and did have it coming to me.

Some commented about technology changing their shopping experience. Maybe those commenters should be nostalgic about how Sears handled changing times. There's a long list of companies gone by that weren't paying attention.

Some don't embrace change, I applaud those that have the courage to do so. Thank you so much to the staff at Defender Marine for being as gracious to me as you likely are to the big potential customer.

Have a great 2024 boating season!

Matt R. in NYC.

Defender Marine is amazing! I'm in Florida and for the past 2 years I've been buying everything I need to restore a 40 year old sailboat from these guys because they always have the exact part I need and ship it within a day!

Recently, I had a project fall though and I had to return some parts. They made the return process smooth as silk and once again exceeded my expectations!

Great job Defender Marine!

First order, very fast shipping, perfect packaging (important because it was a marine liquid product), provided a tracking number and shipping was free!

I saved $45.00 over my local marine supply store, I'll be back.

Note: This is an updated review, including a more recent experience (5-days ago, see the last section..)
From Paul, in Mystic: So...I have been a Defender customer since the early 80's, long before the move to Waterford and was pragmatic about the purchase by the Canadian partnership. Yesterday was my first experience with the "new" Defender- which was completely satisfying and positive, with the following points:
1. The parking lot for the outlet store was packed; I observed high traffic volume, both in and out, for ~1/2 hour while on the phone in my car prior to entering. I anticipated a significant wait time. Wrong. All those customers were serviced by the time I entered and most of those vehicles were gone when I departed, with my products, ~10-min later.
2. I quickly got over the relatively small volume of visible products (although I did find the Racor 500 filters in that space) after realizing it was simply so different that I felt "hurt"- until I thought about it, remembering historically I ALWAYS required products that were in the warehouse. I just don't care about the displays.
3. I ALWAYS arrive there with part numbers- I don't "tire kick" and don't expect salespeople to engineer my solutions- although they ALWAYS offered to retrieve product alternatives that we viewed remotely "to see and feel" if desired.
4. I did not expect one EXTREME improvement: The new company installed air conditioning - FINALLY- something that the original owners obviously did not consider necessary- despite routine 90+ degree temps both in the store and warehouse. Unbelievable- I was there, I know. How many reviewers would have tolerated this- with a smile- as did these employees?? So, a significant on-site volume is now dedicated to that physical plant instead of additional products' displays. And, the new owners have demonstrated, to me, a proper long-term view by viewing their employees as assets rather than expendable.
5. I saw many familiar faces- people who know their products- again, I know, because I have known them for many years. They appear happy, vastly more physically comfortable, very knowledgeable and dedicated to the "reboot". The parts I was looking for were in stock and appeared at check-out in less than 5 minutes. Pretty impressive.
6. Bottom line: 5-stars.
Paul, Mystic, CT
S/V Mistress
UPDATE: My latest experience: BIG delays due to significant number of ignorant thoughtless customers; how I would respond (below) is WAY less polite than what I witnessed...
C: "Does this VHF have GPS?"
---No dude. Gotta get the nmea data from a GPS receiver, like the display says.
" How does that work, exactly? Can I navigate with it?"
---Huh?
C: "I bought a 30-ft boat, the guy kept the anchor. What anchor is good? Do I need chain?"
--Lets now spend a couple of hours talking about virtually everything related to your situation, the boat and boating safety..
The big winner: A customer describing to a staffer his displeasure with the new layout, particular emphasis upon delays- FOR NEARLY 10 MINUTES!
I emphasize: the staff were very responsive, polite and helpful to these folks.
Look. This is a warehouse where we get to show up and nice people retrieve items from the millions in stock and view them rather than wait for a mail delivery. And, they are even willing to find data sheets, consult with each other- since it is not possible to "know" a warehouse of items- to help you make a safe and appropriate choice- which takes A LOT of time. So, be selective. Be smart. Devote more time to research than to social media. Use your "smart" phone for smart stuff- like on-line mfrs data PDFs. Refine your approach, be "surgical"- you will feel great learning on your own- you could share and help others.
I really don't want this place to go mail-order-only because some uneducated people (who don't yet see anything wrong with operating on the ocean that way) who can't properly manage their expectations from others make the brick-and-mortar (already rare) more trouble than it's worth.

Great prices and great service. If you're making any big purchases or frequent purchases, get the Defender 1st membership, it'll pay for itself very quickly. Great stock of high-quality products. Compare same-for-same prices with West Marine and you'll never go back there again. The retail store is great if you can make it to Waterford. Otherwise, they provide quick, cheap shipping.

The very best and only place for everything boating & sailing. 400,000 sqft facility with a large selection of inflatable boats and motors, electronics, parts
Parts and parts. Did I mention they usually ship the same day if your order is in on time and no matter where I am, I order from Defender. Join Defender 1st and receive even better prices - well worth it.
Note: I’ve been buying from Defender since the 1990’s - it’s the very best!

Amazing outlet store. Our boat is near their actual brick-and-mortar warehouse (a lot of people didn’t even know they had an outlet store where their warehouse is) so we go here often. Excellent place and the people love our old pup when we bring her to shop! Not everything is on the shop floor but they remind us they’re a warehouse and, invariably, have everything we need whether on the floor or will get it from the back. Great place!

Ordered new anchor chain and it arrived within 4 days! You guys rock. Great price on quality chain. Thanks

Received the bottom paint when expected in a VERY well packed box. When reading reviews on shipping from other companies, I was extremely pleased on Defender’s packaging and shipping.

Fast, clean, and very nice/happy employees

This is the place you go for all boating materials, seriously anything for your boat. Came into at least 20 people waiting in line. Just needed a gift certificate this time but it really has all your boating needs. Very cool place to look around. Have shopped for many things but most of all the men in your life need gift certificates to this place. The line went quickly and I was out of their in no time. Great customer service and always someone their to help you.

Ordered Liqui Moly 4-stroke oil for my new outboard on Friday morning, it arrived Saturday afternoon! Oil was on sale for half the price of Amazon even with the Defender shipping price (UPS). Fast shipping may have been also due to me being a state away from Defender in CT. Boxes were thick and well packaged.

Ordered a hatch, 4 portlights and other stuff. The portlights arrived damaged. Defender was quick to respond and gave me a satisfactory resolution without an issue. The damage was clearly caused during transport but defender took care of me. I ordered a second time and once again the order was filled and shipped all within a day. Pretty impressive from a company that had the best price I could find and shipped to Canada hassle free. My new go to supplier

Is always been a great experience shopping here. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. Incredible inventory and this as close to wholesale as it gets. I've traveled a lot and when I needed something the online service the same as being in the store. Their very Covid-19 safe and work hard to keep everyone safe here. Sometimes things can wrong, however the management was very quick to take responsibility and replaced the product hassle free.

I found Defender a number of years ago and I’m never disappointed every time I really need something they have it they also have people that can tell you how to work on repair install they just grab a great place to go and there’s also a discount and you section that you can walk through you can find clothes out you never know what you’re gonna need or fine I had to replace my Edson steering wheel on my sailboat and I wanted a smaller one they had it right there in stock it was the one that had been returned it was perfect I highly recommend Defender

Enormous inventory of nautical electronics, clothing, safety gear, equipment, furnishings that one could ever want, need or imagine. It's connected to an even more enormous sized warehouse. If you're looking for a new dinghy then visit Defenders. You'll be able to see and compare different brands. Great browsing place. Bob was such a cool Staff member who helped me find a nice watch cap.

I had been disappointed how long it takes to get merchandise from some marine suppliers., sometimes 4-6 weeks. Then an old neighbor told me about Defender. They are my only supplier now because of their knowledge and very quick delivery. I ordered a small outboard motor on a Thursday and it arrived Saturday - how is that fast possible? If you need stuff NOW use Defender.

Robin in Customer Service absolutely rocks. There was a delay in shipment of an item needed for an extended cruise. Robin handled the problem, got manager approval for 2nd day air and the scheduled departure date now remains the same. She even followed up with a phone call. Amazing!!