Buying boat from a charity auction

[Picflight]

Is a charity auction a reliable place to purchase a boat that has been donated to charities?

Any personal experiences?

Most of the auctions I have seen do not have a pre-purchase inspection since the item is still stored at the donors residence.

They do say full refund if boat is not represented correctly.

 

[elle]

I have purchased two boats via charity auction. Both were available for inspection as they were housed at a marina prior to auction day. Both needed work (mechanical, engine, etc) but we had the ability to diagnose & repair, so the only expense was the parts. Each also had clean titles.

As with anything, Buyer Beware.

 

[shemandr]

A friend of mine did. He knew what he was getting. It needed bulkhead repair, it got a new engine (Not sure if that operator error), and it is pretty rough. On the other hand it didn't cost very much, it's a proven Wed. night race boat and has taken some club level bling. So it basically worked out. He could part it out and get most of his money ("cepting that new engine) back.

 

[Picflight]

I am seeing that the trading activity is more on the east coast then here in Southern California, so I think the choices tend be limited here.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I've attended a few auctions here in California, most of the boats would be a bad deal if you got it free. The ones with some potential tend to sell for more than their actual value because people get "auction fever". Most of the other people bidding for a bargain boat underestimate the extent of needed repairs and so overestimate it's value.

 

[Picflight]

Very true Ted, I have attended enough auctions and am very familiar with the 'auction fever' syndrome.

 

[Tom G P-21]

I bought my boat through the Mass Maritime Auction. As with buying any used boat go over everything. They had everything there for inspection. So we pulled out the sails, checked the rigging etc. I did a good job on the boat what I missed was the state of the trailer. I knew I would replace the hubs and tires when I bidded on it. What I didn't plan on was springs, axle, winch and rollers. The budget I had to do a few upgrades on the boat went to the trailer instead. Also, do your homework and check recent sale prices to estimate the value of the boat, Sailtexas has a good database.

What type auction is it? is it an open auction with people standing around bidding up the price. Don't get excited and over bid. Is it a sealed auction where you give them a bid in an envelope and at the end of the day the highest wins? People have asked how much did I pay for my boat and I reply $500 too much. It was a sealed bid auction over two days. We where there early on the first day and there wasn't much interest in the boat I was looking at so I low balled it a little for X amount. The second day I went back and there had been a lot more interest in the boat, so I submitted a second bid for X + $500. When I got the call that I won, I had to ask and it turned out my original bid would have one! Even though it was an extra $500, it did go to a good charity.

Also, with an auction you won't get any history on it, was it barrier coated etc. Also, this auction the removes the outboards and auctions them seperately to maximize revenue.

Finally bid what the boat is worth to you. If its a rare boat but the one you want you might want to pay a premium for it. If it is a boat that is popular, like a Catalina 22 for example, you might take a chance to low ball it knowing there are others out there.

 

[jepomer]

I have bought two differently sized sailboats on eBay that were by charity auction sellers. Both boats were ready to sail after a basic cleaning. Both came with fully functional outboard motors. One had a trailer. Both have been used extensively.

I paid well below their value. Neither was anything near being a "project boat". I have bought other boats on eBay and other places that were very much "project boats".

Not every boat for sale is a wonderful deal. Understand what the particular boat is and what it contains. Decide if you are up to any possible challenges. I have had no regrets with any of my purchases...

 

[Picflight]

Its on one of the online auction sites. I do understand the challenges of buying site unseen. It could be a great gem or it could be a nightmare, that is the chances I would put in front of me.

 

[Eddie7045]

Mine was great.

Mine was originally gifted to a charity for a tax write off. That much was a fact but the story was that the owner was elderly and terminally ill which the surveyor said was consistent with what he observed. Anyway I got a, clean, well cared for 25 year old boat that was about half what a similar boat was going for. I'm happy with it.

 

[BobM]

Depends on what you pay. I bought a Lancer 25 fir 1000 on ebay. It had a lot of issues and really wasn't worth a full blown restoration but it got me on the water. I know that three boats i looked when i bought my S2 went to auction after they could not be sold. An S2 9.2A with gel coat blisters all over the hull and two Newport 30s. One had very wet decks and the other had a badly damaged keel from either a grounding or was dropped at the yard. The last my surveyor told me not to touch with a ten foot pole. The other with the wet decks was sailable but a huge project to put right. The S2 was probably a great deal as it had been repowered and the issue was likely just cosmetic. My advice would be not to pay more than you could stand to lose. For the most part boats end up donated for a reason. As far as ebay goes, i really wouldn't advice buying without seeing it in person for a newbie. I got rooked by an fraudulent seller for a car, bought a boat i was able to see and then bought a car essentially for the shell...which is essentially what i got as the engine and transmission were shot.

 

[rgranger]

I once purchased a 14' hobie from a Boat Angle auction on eBay. When I arrived the trailer was in bad shape and needed new tires. I tried to put on new tires but the lugs were rusted tight. After messing with it a few hours I gave up. I contacted boat angle and they graciously refunded all of my money.

 

[Skipper]

My contribution is not related to charity, but they were auctions (ebay).

When we moved to the East Coast, I spent over a year looking for a replacement boat, as we had sold ours when leaving California. Every day online - Yachtworld, sailboatlistings, ebay, everything. Looked at dozens of boats in person. Many phone calls. Finally found her....long story.

2 of the boats I inspected in person were auction boats. Both were grossly misrepresented. So much so that the ads had fooled me into being interested.

The first was a Bristol 28, a rare boat with nice lines and an interesting mix of racing design and cruising features. The picture looked fabulous, nice clean white hull with tan canvas and wood trim. The minimum was $8,000. I drove 70 miles to see it and meet the owner. Found the boat in its slip, with cracked and soft decks, miserably cracked and stained gelcoat, significant fiberglass damage on the port beam that had been mudded over with bondo or something, holes drilled in the deck for some tinkertoy from the past, and never filled. There were neglect signs, such as lines hanging in the water and covered in moss. The minimum should have been $800. I called the owner, who was in transit, and told her to make a U-turn.

The 2nd boat was a Catalina 27, 1987. Diesel. Ebay auction. Not a model on my want list but at the time it was very cheap and there was no minimum. I'd live with it for awhile and sell it at a profit (uh-huh). Found the boat in a yard, keel had cracks all around, with rust seeping. Not just the Catalina Smile, but a seriously dubious keel joint. Also had filler in spots where an amateur had attempted a repair. Rest of the boat had that look of a decade + of neglect. I later saw the price rocket and it sold for $5,400 - I'm guessing sight-unseen.

Ask for recent pictures, surveys, etc. Never buy unseen, even if they pay you to come and get it.