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January 2024 by Fanglor Z
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
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January 2024 by Gy N.
We loved the old Defender (spent an easy 5 figures there over the 4 years before the sale) and were hopeful that when it was sold to the Canadian Co. they would be savvy enough to keep the great (staff, selection, stock) and tune up only what was needed. Fast forward to the (long delayed) opening where the "new" showroom was a huge disappointment. Comparatively nothing on display, which was their strong point as the stock allowed you to make a hands on choice of which item you wanted to purchase. When chatting with one of the longtime employees (now gone) he said that the new management philosophy was that they wanted to attract a new, younger demographic and didn't care about the "old white guy customer". Guess the Canucks have never been to a marina or yacht club. lol. The upshot: Prices up, selection minuscule and the previous wonderful staff departing. Parking lot empty along with the tiny show room that used to attract visitors from all over the east coast and beyond. And the improved inventory controls? Made 3 trips(as a last resort) to pick up something that the website claimed in-stock only to find out at the counter that the inventory was wrong. As I write this I realize this is less review and more Eulogy. Farewell Defender of the past - you will be missed.
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December 2023 by Daniel Ewing
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!
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December 2023 by Frank Connelly
I bought a trailer here many years ago. I have to say, this place has changed quite a bit. I noticed a significantly reduced inventory and the prices don't exactly give me any incentive to come here.
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November 2023 by AJ J
I used to pick up items for my business there. I just went on to check for shrink wrap and it was 20% more expensive than West (I have accounts at both places). It's too bad, the store used to be great and pricing was very good as well. The store staff is still great, but if I wanted to order from the computer I would just do that at the office. I imagine they made a fundamental change on volume vs. profit, but it's not the same place anymore and the boater in me misses it.
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November 2023 by Randy Kelly
Stopped here on my way to Newport a month ago. Even booked a hotel room nearby just to go the next day. This place used to be a destination for sailors, like Mecca for Muslims. Not sure what the new owners are going for here, but you might as well just go to West Marine, at least the one in Newport has rigging services. Online ordering is still some of the best in the business, so three stars.
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October 2023 by Lynn N.
I am quite disappointed in Defender Marine. I purchased a cooktop and paid with my credit card. Soon after I received an e!mail stating they were charging me $3.00 and to contact them with the amount off my bank statement. This all seemed a bit suspicious, but I replied to the email with the amount I paid. I later found out that they canceled my order because did not respondvinvthe correct way. You know, disappointed is the wrong word I am furious!
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October 2023 by David S.
Ordered keel blocks for $190. Site said free shipping over 100$. Days later customer service called and wanted to negotiate a $190 shipping surcharge. Very deceptive sales. Canceled and ordered from West Marine instead.
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October 2023 by Paul Zielinski
Was disappointed in the retail space due to extremely limited selection of goods and high prices. The display area seemed empty, confusing and uninviting including the odd setup for purchasing goods. I heard good things about Defender from friends that shopped there in years past. I do not plan to shop here in the future.
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October 2023 by AK B
Was sent wrong items and rather than say “Our mistake, sorry. We will replace as soon as you send back…,” Was told to “take a photo and send to customer service so we can verify”!!!What happened to the old Defender? You make your customers now jump through hoops when you mess things up? I sent the entire order back. Forget it. Have ordered thousands of dollars from them. No more. I will go elsewhere. Two stars only because they paid for return shipment
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September 2023 by Cole Palmer
Not what they used to be before the sale to FortNine. I tried to order a repair kit for my lewmar hatch and was told that because it would take 12 weeks to receive the item from Lewmar, it didn't meet the criteria for a special order. Used to be able to rely on these folks. Not anymore. And with the reorganization of the retail space there's no reason to visit anymore. It's sad. I miss them.As to the reply from Defender, let me be clear. I accept the item is out of stock. I am willing to wait for it. The problem, according to Defender staff, who I did speak with, is that their new system does not allow them to place this order because it does not meet their "criteria", suggesting it was because it would take more than 12 weeks to arrive. This is not something the old Defender would do.
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September 2023 by R Colwell
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.
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August 2023 by R Y.
Purchased a new YL400DL Zodiac from Defender about six weeks ago. Paid $500 for them to deliver the $28,000 inflatable to Wareham , Ma. They showed up an hour and a half late. They had assured me that at least a half a tank of gas would be in the tank, plenty so that I could navigate the boat to my mooring. The tank was essentially empty and I ran out of gas. Paddled home. After only five weeks most all the snaps holding down cushions had green tarnish and broken off the hull. Rust was streaking on the hull from under the cleats and lifting tabs. The bow cushion material holding the snaps had come undone the first week the boat was used. Terrible design flaw and inferior hardware abounds in this boat. I approached Defender and they offered to send a bag of new snaps that I could install myself or they gave me an option to drive the boat to CT and they would install them. Clearly the last thing I need is to install the same inferior snaps that did not last five weeks. They also sent a link on maintaining stainless hardware. Bottom line, Defender is not reliable, does not back their product and is about as bad as can get with customer relations. Zodiac, at one time made a quality product. Clearly not anymore. Be warned of the product and distributer.
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August 2023 by John Di Giacomo
Don’t buy an inflatable from Defender. They blame warranty issues on the customer and look for ways to get out of dealing with defective products under warranty, such as the $5,000 Achilles dinghy that we purchased from them. The handle is already ripping off and they claim it is because we are hoisting our boat by the handle, which is a complete lie.
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August 2023 by B D
Cannot believe how much the new ownership has ruined Defender! Apparently all good things do come to an end. The physical store is just plain terrible now! You can't see any products anymore. The majority of the staff are rude and unhelpful. Almost all prices are equal to or grater then other retailers. I simply do not see the value in supporting Defender anymore.. What a major disappointment
