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  <TITLE>Current Report on Form 8-K</TITLE>
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1"
  NOSHADE WIDTH="17%" COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>FORM 8-K </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2003 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>West Marine, Inc. </B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Exact name of
  registrant as specified in its charter) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center">
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>0-22512</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>77-0355502</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD> </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Commission File Number)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>500 Westridge Drive</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Watsonville,
  California</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>95076</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>(831) 728-2700 </B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
  ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
  ALIGN="left">
  
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   <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Regulation FD Disclosure. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
  STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">West Marine today issued the following press release: </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000">WEST MARINE TO ACQUIRE BOATU.S. RETAIL, CATALOG &amp; WHOLESALE OPERATIONS </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Watsonville, California &#151; January 14,
  2003:West Marine, Inc. (NASDAQ:WMAR) announced today that the company will acquire BoatU.S. retail stores, catalog sales and wholesale operations for $72 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. In making the announcement, John
  Edmondson, CEO of West Marine, said, &#147;This acquisition marks a major milestone in the evolution of the boating products industry.&#148; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000">Edmondson characterized the deal as &#147;a long-term strategic alliance that will enable both West Marine and BoatU.S. to maximize their respective strengths in order to better serve the boating public.&#148; According to Edmondson,
  &#147;We intend to continue to operate the BoatU.S. stores under the BoatU.S. name. BoatU.S. has an excellent reputation and a loyal customer base. It is our intention to have no disruption in the level of service that their customers have come to
  expect.&#148; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Richard Schwartz, founder and chairman of BoatU.S. said, &#147;BoatU.S. will now concentrate its resources on developing
  new programs of value for boat owners to complement the Association&#146;s marine insurance, towing, boat financing, consumer advocacy, and government representation programs. According to Schwartz, &#147;The market for marine equipment has changed
  markedly in the past two decades. Marine outlets have become more readily available and West Marine, the largest boating equipment supplier in the world, has proven its ability to deliver quality merchandise at competitive prices while sustaining an
  impressive growth rate of stores around the country. The time is right for us to partner with West Marine.&#148; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">West Marine,
  headquartered in Watsonville, California, is the nation&#146;s largest boating supply chain with 258 store locations in the U.S. and Canada. The acquisition of BoatU.S. retail operations will add 62 store locations, as well as the BoatU.S. catalog
  and wholesale sales channels, which is anticipated to add approximately $140 million in additional sales annually. West Marine expects that the acquisition will be accretive to its earnings in 2003 in the range of $.01 to $.02 per share. In 2004,
  the company expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings by approximately $.18 to $.20 per share. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Under the terms of the
  agreement, West Marine will promote membership in the BoatU.S. Association at each of its 320 stores, while the Association will exclusively promote West Marine as the preferred supplier of boating equipment to its members. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">This press release includes
  &#147;forward-looking statements&#148; within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements that relate to West Marine&#146;s future plans, expectations,
  objectives, performance and similar projections, as well as facts and assumptions underlying these statements or projections. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements due to
  various risks, uncertainties or other factors. Risks and uncertainties failure to secure or adverse conditions required under pending approvals, failure to obtain or maintain expected synergies from the transaction and other risk factors disclosed
  from time to time in West Marine&#146;s SEC filings. </FONT></DIV>
  
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   <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>SIGNATURE </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
  SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="44%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">WEST MARINE, INC.</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="2%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Date:</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="44%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">January 14, 2003</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="2%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">By:</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="44%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;R<SMALL>USSELL</SMALL> S<SMALL>OLT</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD> </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="44%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Russell Solt</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Executive Vice President and</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV>
   </BODY></HTML>
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WEST MARINE INC", "cik": "0000912833", "assigned-sic": "5500", "irs-number": "770355502", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0102"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-22512", "film-number": "03513807"}, "business-address": {"street1": "500 WESTRIDGE DR", "city": "WATSONVILLE", "state": "CA", "zip": "95076-4100", "phone": "4087282700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "500 WESTRIDGE DRIVE", "city": "WATSONVILLE", "state": "CA", "zip": "95076"}}
text: Current Report on Form 8-K
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2003
  West Marine, Inc.
  (Exact name of
  registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  0-22512
  77-0355502
  (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  500 Westridge Drive
  Watsonville,
  California
  95076
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
  (831) 728-2700
  (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
  Item 9.    Regulation FD Disclosure.
  West Marine today issued the following press release:
  WEST MARINE TO ACQUIRE BOATU.S. RETAIL, CATALOG & WHOLESALE OPERATIONS
  Watsonville, California — January 14,
  2003:West Marine, Inc. (NASDAQ:WMAR) announced today that the company will acquire BoatU.S. retail stores, catalog sales and wholesale operations for $72 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. In making the announcement, John
  Edmondson, CEO of West Marine, said, "This acquisition marks a major milestone in the evolution of the boating products industry."
  Edmondson characterized the deal as "a long-term strategic alliance that will enable both West Marine and BoatU.S. to maximize their respective strengths in order to better serve the boating public." According to Edmondson,
  "We intend to continue to operate the BoatU.S. stores under the BoatU.S. name. BoatU.S. has an excellent reputation and a loyal customer base. It is our intention to have no disruption in the level of service that their customers have come to
  expect."
  Richard Schwartz, founder and chairman of BoatU.S. said, "BoatU.S. will now concentrate its resources on developing
  new programs of value for boat owners to complement the Association's marine insurance, towing, boat financing, consumer advocacy, and government representation programs. According to Schwartz, "The market for marine equipment has changed
  markedly in the past two decades. Marine outlets have become more readily available and West Marine, the largest boating equipment supplier in the world, has proven its ability to deliver quality merchandise at competitive prices while sustaining an
  impressive growth rate of stores around the country. The time is right for us to partner with West Marine."
  West Marine,
  headquartered in Watsonville, California, is the nation's largest boating supply chain with 258 store locations in the U.S. and Canada. The acquisition of BoatU.S. retail operations will add 62 store locations, as well as the BoatU.S. catalog
  and wholesale sales channels, which is anticipated to add approximately $140 million in additional sales annually. West Marine expects that the acquisition will be accretive to its earnings in 2003 in the range of $.01 to $.02 per share. In 2004,
  the company expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings by approximately $.18 to $.20 per share.
  Under the terms of the
  agreement, West Marine will promote membership in the BoatU.S. Association at each of its 320 stores, while the Association will exclusively promote West Marine as the preferred supplier of boating equipment to its members.
  Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
  This press release includes
  "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements that relate to West Marine's future plans, expectations,
  objectives, performance and similar projections, as well as facts and assumptions underlying these statements or projections. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements due to
  various risks, uncertainties or other factors. Risks and uncertainties failure to secure or adverse conditions required under pending approvals, failure to obtain or maintain expected synergies from the transaction and other risk factors disclosed
  from time to time in West Marine's SEC filings.
  SIGNATURE
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  WEST MARINE, INC.
  Date:
  January 14, 2003
  By:
  /s/    R
  USSELL
  S
  OLT
  Russell Solt
  Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer