We support our local hardware store whenever possible. Here in Deltaville, that’s Hurds, the quintessential small-town hardware store where the employees are friendly and knowledgeable and the shelves are stocked with what people actually need. Which means there’s a sizable marine section, including West System epoxy for prices that are unreal ($82 a gallon of resin, vs $100 at well-known marine retailer that also has a presence in Deltaville). When we need something fast or last-minute, Hurds is the place to go.

There are times, though, when we require supplies in bulk, where buying from Hurds might mean buying them out of their stock, or where buying from Hurds is significantly more expensive on a large-scale (for us) basis. For that, we turn to Jamestown Distributors.

Jamestown, based in Rhode Island, is our favorite place to buy fasteners and other bulk marine construction supplies. We buy boxes of brushes from them. Cans of varnish. Boxes of fasteners. Our most recent purchase was spurred by the need for fasteners (building new bulkheads takes a LOT of screws) and also included a full roll (25 YARDS worth) of fiberglass tape, 12” wide.

If we have to contact them, they’re knowledgeable and helpful (most of the time we’re just fine negotiating the website). The shipment comes promptly, packaged sensibly in reused newspaper in a box just the right size for the contents. Our varnish order came with a “ready to use” kit of 2 stirrers, 2 strainers, a container, and 2 brushes. The catalog itself is more like a handbook on boat projects, including a survey of bottom paints and a primer on how to apply deck non-skid.

For us, Jamestown is the online equivalent of a good local hardware store. Friendly, competent, knowledgeable, and filled with all the goodies you need. Sometimes the price isn’t the best, but often it is - and by using them, we help ensure they’ll be around when we really need them.