It’s the hap-happiest season of all… Well, if you’re a boating fanatic, that is. I’ve had that old Andy Williams Christmas tune running on a loop in the back of my mind all day. Actually, I prefer the Amy Grant version, but I digress…

What’s so terrific about this week? Why, it’s Defender’s once a year annual warehouse sale! That time of year when the world’s largest, most awesomest marine supplier shuts down their entire operation for four days, knocks another 10% – 15% off their already lowest of low prices, and does nothing but take orders while thousands of trucks back up to their loading docks in anticipation. At least, I envision it as being thousands. I really don’t know, as I’ve never actually been to the store, but I imagine it’s a lot. Then, on the fifth day, the doors are thrown open, and as the weary Defender employees, finally released from their sequester, stumble out into the cold New England dawn, the warehouse begins disgorging the millions of items that cost-obsessed boaters like yours truly wait all year to order.

Defender’s 18th Annual Warehouse Sale March 27th thru 30th

If it’s something I need and have to have now, I’ll order it. But if it’s something I need, want, or merely lust after, and it can wait, it goes on my Defender wish list for the next Annual Warehouse Sale.

Take that, West Marine!

Actually, now that I think about it, this might be my favorite version:

(No promotional consideration was offered for this post. Not that I wouldn’t be open to it…)