Lines of Credit and Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]
Lines of Credit and Long-Term Debt	LINES OF CREDIT AND LONG–TERM DEBT The Company has up to $140.0 million in borrowing capacity under a loan and security agreement that remains in effect through August 2014. At the Company’s option, and subject to certain conditions set forth in the loan agreement, the Company may increase its borrowing capacity up to an additional $25.0 million during the term. The amount available to be borrowed is based on a percentage of certain of the Company's inventory (excluding capitalized indirect costs) and accounts receivable. The revolving credit facility is guaranteed by West Marine, Inc. and West Marine Canada Corp. (an indirect subsidiary of West Marine, Inc.) and secured by a security interest in all of our accounts receivable and inventory, certain other related assets, and all proceeds thereof. The revolving credit facility is available for general working capital and general corporate purposes. At the Company’s election, borrowings under the revolving credit facility will bear interest at one of the following options: 1.The prime rate, which is defined in the loan agreement as the highest of: a.Federal funds rate, as in effect from time to time, plus one-half of one percent; b.LIBOR rate for a one-month interest period plus one percent; or c.The rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Wells Fargo as its “prime rate;” or 2.The LIBOR rate quoted by the British Bankers Association for the applicable interest period. In each case, the applicable interest rate is increased by a margin imposed by the loan agreement. The applicable margin for any date will depend upon the amount of available credit under the revolving credit facility. The margin range for option (1) above is between 1.50% and 2.00% for option (2) above is between 2.5% and 3.0%. The loan agreement also imposes a commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility available. For 2011, 2010 and 2009, the weighted-average interest rate on all of our outstanding borrowings was 3.1%, 1.5% and 1.8%, respectively. Although the loan agreement contains customary covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur liens, make acquisitions and investments, pay dividends and sell or transfer assets, it does not contain debt or other similar financial covenants, such as maintaining certain specific leverage, debt service or interest coverage ratios. Instead, the loan is asset-based (which means the Company’s lenders maintain a security interest in the Company’s inventory and accounts receivable which serve as collateral for the loan), and the amount the Company may borrow under its revolving credit facility at any given time is determined by the estimated value of these assets as determined by the lenders’ appraisers. Additionally, the Company must maintain minimum revolving credit availability equal to the greater of $7 million or 10% of the borrowing base. In addition, there are customary events of default under our loan agreement, including failure to comply with our covenants. If we fail to comply with any of the covenants contained in the loan agreement, an event of default occurs which, if not waived by our lenders or cured within the applicable time periods, results in the lenders having the right to accelerate repayment of all outstanding indebtedness under the loan agreement before the stated maturity date and the revolving credit facility could be terminated. These events of default include, after the expiration of any applicable grace periods, payment defaults to the lenders, material inaccuracies of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, material payment defaults (other than under the loan agreement), voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, material money judgments, material ERISA events, change of control and other customary defaults. A default under this loan agreement also could significantly and adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain additional or alternative financing. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under this loan agreement. At the end of fiscal year 2011, there were no amounts outstanding under this revolving credit facility, $86.9 million was available for future borrowings, and there was $0.6 million in unamortized loan costs. At the end of fiscal year 2010, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility, $89.9 million was available to be borrowed, and there was $0.9 million in unamortized loan costs. At the end of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, the Company had $8.3 million and $5.6 million of outstanding commercial and stand-by letters of credit, respectively.

LINES OF CREDIT AND LONG–TERM DEBT

The Company has up to $140.0 million in borrowing capacity under a loan and security agreement that remains in effect through August 2014. At the Company’s option, and subject to certain conditions set forth in the loan agreement, the Company may increase its borrowing capacity up to an additional $25.0 million during the term. The amount available to be borrowed is based on a percentage of certain of the Company's inventory (excluding capitalized indirect costs) and accounts receivable.

The revolving credit facility is guaranteed by West Marine, Inc. and West Marine Canada Corp. (an indirect subsidiary of West Marine, Inc.) and secured by a security interest in all of our accounts receivable and inventory, certain other related assets, and all proceeds thereof. The revolving credit facility is available for general working capital and general corporate purposes.

At the Company’s election, borrowings under the revolving credit facility will bear interest at one of the following options:

1.The prime rate, which is defined in the loan agreement as the highest of:

a.Federal funds rate, as in effect from time to time, plus one-half of one percent;

b.LIBOR rate for a one-month interest period plus one percent; or

c.The rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Wells Fargo as its “prime rate;” or

2.The LIBOR rate quoted by the British Bankers Association for the applicable interest period.

In each case, the applicable interest rate is increased by a margin imposed by the loan agreement. The applicable margin for any date will depend upon the amount of available credit under the revolving credit facility. The margin range for option (1) above is between 1.50% and 2.00% for option (2) above is between 2.5% and 3.0%.

The loan agreement also imposes a commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility available. For 2011, 2010 and 2009, the weighted-average interest rate on all of our outstanding borrowings was 3.1%, 1.5% and 1.8%, respectively.

Although the loan agreement contains customary covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur liens, make acquisitions and investments, pay dividends and sell or transfer assets, it does not contain debt or other similar financial covenants, such as maintaining certain specific leverage, debt service or interest coverage ratios. Instead, the loan is asset-based (which means the Company’s lenders maintain a security interest in the Company’s inventory and accounts receivable which serve as collateral for the loan), and the amount the Company may borrow under its revolving credit facility at any given time is determined by the estimated value of these assets as determined by the lenders’ appraisers. Additionally, the Company must maintain minimum revolving credit availability equal to the greater of $7 million or 10% of the borrowing base. In addition, there are customary events of default under our loan agreement, including failure to comply with our covenants. If we fail to comply with any of the covenants contained in the loan agreement, an event of default occurs which, if not waived by our lenders or cured within the applicable time periods, results in the lenders having the right to accelerate repayment of all outstanding indebtedness under the loan agreement before the stated maturity date and the revolving credit facility could be terminated. These events of default include, after the expiration of any applicable grace periods, payment defaults to the lenders, material inaccuracies of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, material payment defaults (other than under the loan agreement), voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, material money judgments, material ERISA events, change of control and other customary defaults. A default under this loan agreement also could significantly and adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain additional or alternative financing. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under this loan agreement.

At the end of fiscal year 2011, there were no amounts outstanding under this revolving credit facility, $86.9 million was available for future borrowings, and there was $0.6 million in unamortized loan costs. At the end of fiscal year 2010, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility, $89.9 million was available to be borrowed, and there was $0.9 million in unamortized loan costs. At the end of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, the Company had $8.3 million and $5.6 million of outstanding commercial and stand-by letters of credit, respectively.