CH Smith Marine

CH Smith Marine is the kind of marine retailer that combines old-fashioned industry knowledge with the convenience of a large online store. The Melbourne business traces its history back to 1884 and says it has remained in the same family for four generations. That gives CH Smith a depth of history that is increasingly rare in Australian marine retail. CH Smith Marine has supplied boating equipment to generations of Australian boat owners, while steadily evolving from a traditional chandlery into a national online retailer.

Its showroom and store are located at 189 Grange Road in Fairfield, Victoria. This is not simply an administrative address behind an ecommerce website. CH Smith describes the Fairfield premises as a substantial chandlery and marine electronics showroom, complete with working displays that allow customers to compare equipment before making a decision.

A strong destination for marine electronics

Marine electronics remain one of CH Smith Marine’s major strengths. Its catalogue covers chartplotters, GPS units, marine instruments, radar, autopilots, AIS equipment, VHF radios, transducers, fishfinders and onboard networking components.

For sailors, the most relevant names include B&G, Raymarine, Garmin, Simrad, Furuno and GME. The store’s sailing instrumentation range includes wind, speed and depth systems, masthead sensors, multifunction displays and autopilot controls. These are products that can become part of a much larger onboard network, so having access to knowledgeable staff can be particularly valuable when matching new equipment with an existing system.

The Fairfield showroom has also been promoted by CH Smith as having one of Australia’s largest working marine electronics displays. For Melbourne sailors considering a new chartplotter, instrument package or broader navigation upgrade, being able to inspect different displays and interfaces in person is a genuine advantage. Explore marine electronics.

More than an electronics retailer

Although electronics are central to the business, the CH Smith catalogue reaches much further into the practical side of owning and maintaining a yacht.

Sailors can browse deck winches, winch handles, rope clutches, pulley blocks, yacht rope, Dyneema, steering components and other sailboat fittings. Brands represented across the sailing and deck-hardware ranges include familiar names such as Ronstan and Lewmar. The catalogue also extends into anchors, windlasses, deck and hull fittings, compasses, marine binoculars and wet-weather clothing. Browse sailing equipment.

For owners working on their yacht’s electrical system, CH Smith carries equipment such as battery switches, chargers, busbars, fuse blocks, circuit breakers, switch panels, wiring components, inverters and converters. The broader electrical catalogue also includes marine refrigeration and hydro, solar and wind-generation equipment. Blue Sea Systems is among the electrical brands represented, with products covering battery management and circuit protection.

The safety range adds another useful layer for cruising and coastal sailors, with EPIRBs, PLBs, personal AIS devices, lifejackets, marine alarms, gas detectors, flares and signalling equipment listed across the website. This makes CH Smith particularly useful when preparing a yacht for a longer passage, replacing expired safety equipment or working through a pre-departure checklist.

Useful for yacht owners, cruisers and refit projects

CH Smith Marine is especially relevant when a job involves more than buying a single generic accessory. A new autopilot, for example, may need to work with an existing chartplotter, heading sensor, drive unit and NMEA 2000 network. A replacement wind instrument may need the right masthead sensor, cable, display and network adaptor.

This is where the company’s long history and specialist focus become meaningful. CH Smith says several members of its team have accumulated more than 30 years with the business. That kind of continuity can be helpful when identifying replacement components, comparing generations of marine electronics or finding a practical path between older equipment and a modern upgrade.

The website also includes a substantial Boat Wiki and collection of technical articles covering subjects such as AIS, autopilots, NMEA 2000, marine radio, charting and electronics terminology. It gives customers somewhere to begin their research before contacting the sales team with more detailed questions.

Shop online or visit the Fairfield showroom

CH Smith Marine operates a full ecommerce store serving customers around Australia, with orders packed at its Fairfield premises. Customers can have suitable goods delivered or arrange collection from the store. Shipping options and costs depend on the order value, destination and the size or nature of the item. Hazardous products such as flares and some solvents are subject to transport restrictions. View shipping information.

The Fairfield showroom is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and is closed on weekends and public holidays. Sailors can contact the team on (03) 9403 4800, email sales@chsmith.com.au for product enquiries or use orders@chsmith.com.au for questions about an online order.

Whether you are replacing a tired wind instrument, planning a navigation upgrade, sorting out an electrical panel or tracking down new deck hardware, CH Smith Marine offers an appealing combination of online convenience, recognised marine brands and genuine bricks-and-mortar experience. Contact CH Smith Marine.