Dania Beach Marine Flea Market is bargain hunters' heaven
5/25/2004 5:16:35 PM by Marshall Brodie
Everyone loves a bargain, including boaters. It seems, however, that any product made for a boat is sure to cost plenty, and the words “bargain prices” and “boat” are rarely used together. But, there is a place where smart boaters, anglers, divers and antique hunters can save a bundle on all things nautical. That place is the annual Dania Beach Marine Flea Market, which will run April 15-18 this year.
Billed as the largest nautical flea market in the country, this is a must-attend-event for thousands of bargain hunters from around Florida, the Bahamas and as far away as Canada.
Celebrating its 26th anniversary, the Dania Beach Marine Flea Market will again be located in the parking lot of the Dania Jai Alai Fronton and offer new and used marine goods, often at bargain prices. Shoppers will be able to find everything from nuts and bolts to engines or even boats. Abrief sample of items at the market includes marine electronics, diving gear, fishing equipment, propellers, paint, books, rope, antiques and assorted clearance merchandise.
Nearly all of the 900-vendor spaces have been sold out for the market, says Jennifer Dudas, spokesperson for Al Behrendt Enterprises, the producer of the 26-acre show. There are other nautical flea markets in Miami, Pompano and the Florida Keys, but none are nearly as big the Dania Beach Marine Flea Market. Where does all of this stuff come from? Some of it is from boaters, divers and anglers who are just cleaning out their garages. Many of the vendors are from the marine service trades who are getting rid of leftover equipment and items salvaged from boats that were remodeled.
Increasingly, there are new marine products to be found at the show. Companies such as West Marine, Dusky Marine, Angler Boat Corporation, Action Craft, Harbor Towne Marina and others have realized that the Dania Beach Marine Flea Market is an efficient way to clear out discontinued or unneeded merchandise. Pat Brown, co-owner of Dusky Marine, says they have done very well at the market over the many years they have been there. She says they load up a large tractor/trailer with like-new items such as hatches that perhaps were the wrong color or size and bring them to the market to sell along with hundreds of other items. Besides selling to shoppers, Brown says vendors sometimes will also swap merchandise among themselves. What one has no use for may be just what the other needs, lending truth to the old saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Perhaps the most interesting vendor at the show will be Captain David Clark, who is recognized as the oldest sailor to sail single-handedly around the world. Finishing his two-year circumnavigation on Dec. 7, 2001 at the age of 77, Clark nearly lost his life off the coast of South Africa when his 42-foot sail boat, the Mollie Milar, sank in a violent storm. Undeterred, Clark purchased a smaller boat, the 34-foot Mickey, onemonth after his rescue and continued his voyage back to Fort Lauderdale. Clark, having completed his dream of sailing around the world is putting Mickey up for sale or trade at the flea market. He says it is a fine and very seaworthy sloop. Clark is still an active sailor and is selling his boat so he can move up to a larger, more comfortable one to sail with friends and family. Flea market shopping is a hit or miss proposition. There is no guarantee that you will find what you need or even if you do, at a price that is attractive to you. Dudas recommends that shoppers make a list of the items they need, and also write down measurements if necessary and the regular retail prices for comparison. Vendors do not usually take returns, and if the product does not fit it is worthless to the buyer. Experienced shoppers have been known to carry several marine catalogs to help with-on-the-spot price comparisons and negotiating.
Dudas adds that there are two schools of thought for shopping at the market. For those looking for a specific item, buyers should go on the first or second day to have the best chance of finding what they are looking for. True bargain hunters, however, will probably want to wait until the afternoon of the last day to get the best prices on what is left. Vendors are usually loath to carry back what they had packed up and carted to the market. In addition to the assortment of nautical gear at the market, shoppers can look over the 40 to 50 used trailerable boats that are for sale, just in case they need something to go along with all of the gear they purchased. Anotary will be on hand to assist with completing boat purchases and an ATM will also be available.
Acovered food and beverage court at the market will give shoppers a chance to eat and ponder their purchases.
So put on your suntan lotion, hat and comfortable shoes and get ready to hunt for a good deal. It may also be good idea to bring a wagon to tow your bounty home in — you may find a bargain that was too good to pass up, even if wasn’t on your list.
For more information call 954-920-7877 or go to the website, www.thedaniamarinefleamarket.com.