I worked for West Marine for years, and ever since they bought out Boat U/S, they evidently feel they have no competition, so the sky is the limit. Their prices have all gotten ridiculous IMO.

I just phoned a local marine store, the Marine Trading Post, and their price is $6.50 a foot. That is the kind of store you are looking for. Most larger cities have these kinds of places. West Marine and Boaters World have become places that only want to sell stuff in prepackaged boxes, and who do not mind marking stuff up significantly.

Don