Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Oct. 20, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WEST MARINE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 27, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,313,135
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer