LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Know all by these presents, that the undersigned, that the undersigned
hereby appoints each of Russell Solt and Pamela Fields to be the undersigned's
true and lawful attorney-in-fact, for the undersigned, and in his or her name,
place and stead to:

       (1) execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned's
        capacity as an officer and/or director of WEST MARINE, INC. (the
        "Company"), Form 144 and Forms 3, 4, and 5 and such other forms
        (including amendments thereto) as such attorney shall in his or her
        discretion determine to be required or advisable pursuant to Rule 144
        promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
        Act"), Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934
        Act") and the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act and the 1934
        Act or any successor laws and regulations;

        (2) do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the
        undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and
        execute any such Form 144 or Forms 3, 4, or 5, or such other forms
        described above, and timely file such forms with the United States
        Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and any stock exchange
        or similar authority; and

        (3) take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with
        the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact,
        may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally
        required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents
        executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned
        pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall
        contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve
        in such attorney-in-fact's discretion.

        The undersigned agrees that each attorney-in-fact may rely entirely on
information furnished orally or in writing by the undersigned to such
attorney-in-fact. The undersigned also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company and the attorneys-in-fact against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in these respects) that arise out of or are based upon
any untrue statements or omission of necessary facts in the information
provided by the undersigned to the Company or the attorneys-in-fact for
purpose of executing, acknowledging, delivering or filing Form 144 or Forms 3,
4, or 5 (including amendments thereto) and agrees to reimburse the Company and
the attorneys-in-fact for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with investigating or defending against any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action. The undersigned also acknowledges that the
foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the
undersigned, are not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to
comply with the 1933 Act or Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

        The undersigned hereby grants to each attorney-in-fact full power of
substitution or revocation. The validity of this Power of Attorney shall not
be affected in any manner by reason of the execution, at any time, of other
powers of attorney by the undersigned in favor of persons other than those
named herein. The undersigned agrees and represents to those dealing with its
attorneys-in-fact herein that this Power of Attorney is for indefinite
duration and may be voluntarily revoked only by written notice to such
attorney-in-fact, delivered by registered mail or certified mail, return
receipt requested.





    WITNESS THE EXECUTION HEREOF, this 13th day of February, 2003

                                       /s/ Bruce Edwards
                                       -----------------------------
                                        Signature

                                        Bruce Edwards
                                       -----------------------------
                                        Print Name


STATE OF California
COUNTY OF Santa Cruz

Notary Public /s/ Sharon P. Gall
             -----------------------------

My Commission expires 5/21/06
                     ---------------------

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