Minney's Yacht Surplus - Boating Treasures for Less

I discovered Miney’s Yacht Surplus due to a boating accident. As I turned up the basin, to sail back into my Marina del Rey slip, the wind shifted. I gave the helm of my sloop to my first mate so I could I trim the sails. One of the sheets got hung up so I had to free it.

At her cry I looked up to realize that we were heading directly toward the side of a large yacht. I dashed forward to the bow and couldn’t quite fend off. The impact folded my bow pulpit like a smile. Luckily the other boat escaped without damage.

“Today there are fiberglass boats on the water that have lasted for decades that are still in good shape. Where do you go to get a part for a boat that isn’t made any more?” asked Josh Minney, the manager of Minney’s Yacht Surplus.

Minney is the third generation of his family to work in the store. It was founded 42 years ago by his grandfather, George who was the owner of California Cruises, a charter operation. The yacht surplus business grew out of that venture. Soon the elder Minney involved his son, Ernie, who still works there.

Despite graduation from Northeastern University in Boston, Minney has returned to his Southern California roots. “I grew up sailing here,” he said. “My first boat was a Cal 20 sloop.”

“The trick to finding a good chandlery is finding knowledgeable staff,” Minney said.

Walking around Minney’s is like a tour through a nautical museum. Antique brass fixtures stand next to odd parts that can’t be found elsewhere. It’s possible to get lost for hours, browsing through the charts of distant destinations, looking for that just right wheel or ship’s clock, or picking up cruising essentials like line or chain. I even found some classic, deep-sea fishing reels on my most recent visit.

“We’re particularly proud of our sail inventory,” Minney said. To prove his point, he asked about my boat and pointed to three sails in stock, ready to go, that were about a third of the cost that new sails would be. The store's sail inventory is listed online.

David Price has been a customer of Minney’s for so long that he started shopping there before Josh was born. Price was there to sell a load of gear.

“These people are very easy to deal will, which is why I keep coming back,” Price said

“We try to price everything fairly,” Minney said. “Our motto is ‘We Keep Boating Affordable’ "

That’s welcome news since I’ve often noticed that labeling an item "nautical" as opposed to "automotive" raises the selling price significantly.

Price told me that the best deal for customers when they are selling gear to Minney’s is to opt for payment in store credit. “Their secret is buying low and selling low, paying 10 cents on the dollar selling it for 20 cents.”  Price said.

As for me, after my collision I found a bow pulpit for my boat at Minney’s that cost me hundreds less than a new one would have run. That is the real reason that Minney’s is worth the drive. You’ll get steered right and can save big.