How To Buy A Used Boat – Government Boat Auctions
Government boat auctions are a massive business and included under the general
heading are disposals of police and coastguard seizures. The seizures may often be drugs-related (one of my boats
was arrested by customs with drugs aboard – before I bought her, I hasten to add - and sold through a
government boats auction).
Military
Boats at auction may also come from the military – for example the Navy has fleets of sail and power craft which
they use for training ratings and officers. These may be worked hard but are usually well maintained. When they are
replaced they come up for sale at government surplus auctions. You will usually be buying ‘sold as seen’ and that
is a risk unless you really know what you are about.
Regular Auctions
Government auctions boats - not a press headline, as there are auctions somewhere almost every day. So, what are
the risks of buying a boat this way?
Finding Fault
‘Sold as Seen’ can be pretty scary. Not easy to test and claim against the government. With a car auction you
may have a few hours after buying to return the car – with a boat you may have a few days, you may not – it depends
on the auctions terms and conditions, so read them carefully. The main risk is that you may have little time to get
the boat properly surveyed – she may be afloat; in that case though, you can easily tell if she shipping water. If
she’s ashore then it’s easier, though you obviously can’t easily tell if hull is tight. Either way, you will
certainly be able to look her over beforehand. It may be worth hiring a boat surveyor if you are not an expert
yourself.
If she’s been used by the government (or an agency) itself, then the vessel may have been worked hard – rigging
may need replacement (not easy to judge without specialist equipment) and / or the engines might have a lot of
hours on them. Probably, she will have missed her last service and not all equipment will be working (especially
electronics). Sometimes there may be a simple condition report and specification available.
If the vessel is a seizure, then it can be even harder to tell. Where has she been? Where was she seized? If a
vessel has been used for drugs transportation, then it’s likely that it will be sound. People don’t put a load of
dope in a vessel that’s either likely to sink or have a failure and need a tow into harbour. Not good business.
Watch out for these vessels, though a drugs bust can result in damage during a search.
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