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Fuller Brush "Portholes"!!

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Steve

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Jan 10, 2004, 11:53:40 AM1/10/04
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Surprise Surprise!

I was surfing misc.consumers.frugal-living NG and saw a post from a semi
retired Fuller Brush salesman (http://www.MyFullerBrush.com).. I couldn't
resist asking if they still sold port holes..
http://www.fuller.com/products_subcat.asp?cat=2&subcat=11

You guessed it.. They not only still sell two different size port holes but
they still sell parts for them as well..

Their prices are pretty high, compared to the bronze ports from New Found
Metals of Port Townsend WA but I know the Fuller Brush ABS plastic ports
have been around a long time.

No, This is not a troll or spam.. Just a bit of curious information.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions


Glenn Ashmore

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Jan 10, 2004, 12:39:00 PM1/10/04
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I bought one as a sample several years ago when I was choosing hardware.
They are actually extremely high quality. The story goes that Mr.
Fuller got very upset with the leaking portlights on his yacht and sent
one to his engineering department with instructions to make one that did
not leak. It was not originally intended to be a production item so
only two size molds were made to fit the requirements on his boat.

Apparently the engineers took their boss's instructions to make sure
that they did not leak quite seriously but Mr. Fuller failed to mention
a budget. The cost ran so high that he had to proclaim them a product
so the development cost could be written off. Thus the Fuller Brush
Company got into the portlight business.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Matt Colie

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Jan 10, 2004, 1:34:28 PM1/10/04
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Glenn and Steve,
The story is well known on the east coast. The Fullers have been a
sailing family for a number of generations.
The last Fuller I knew was Penny (a charming young lady then - my age),
she much enjoyed her fathers large ketch "Diogenese". Both her father
and grandfather (the guy that started the company) were both known for
wanting what ever it was to be right.
Matt Colie

Steve

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Jan 10, 2004, 2:12:26 PM1/10/04
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At those prices, he should have gotten the development capital back by now..
However I'm supprised they are still selling parts.. Not something you see
now-a-days.

I'm happy with my (chinese made) Newfound Metals bronze ports.. I have 8 of
them (paid less than $100 each) and not a leak or complaint. BTW. The owner
of Newfound Metals goes to China each time their going to mfg a batch and he
provides the Quality Control plus he does a final inspection/test on each
port when it arrived at his shop.. I've been there a few times and seems
like a 'tight operation'.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

"Glenn Ashmore" <gash...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:4TWLb.31624$JD6.25962@lakeread04...

rh...@nospam.com

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Jan 11, 2004, 7:43:59 PM1/11/04
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On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 08:53:40 -0800, "Steve" <est...@hctc.com> wrote:

>Surprise Surprise!
>
>I was surfing misc.consumers.frugal-living NG and saw a post from a semi
>retired Fuller Brush salesman (http://www.MyFullerBrush.com).. I couldn't
>resist asking if they still sold port holes..
>http://www.fuller.com/products_subcat.asp?cat=2&subcat=11
>
>You guessed it.. They not only still sell two different size port holes but
>they still sell parts for them as well..

Well, THAT's surprising. I thought W-C had a non-intuitive product
mix, but at least it's all marine (As above, so below...)

Another example of "personality-driven" capitalism...anyone recall
when Ford built large planes? That went by the boards, too, because
while a junior Ford loved flying, the cost overruns were appalling. I
think the Ford in question was Edsel, not the most fortunate guy when
it came to new model introductions...

R.

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