Frank Maier wrote:

Stephen Trapani wrote:

[...]
Do you know about Marina auctions? I mean, there's no one there trying
to cheat you, it's a randomly impounded boat, it could easily be great,
right? The marinas dump these boats to get back their lost moorage
money. Aren't these marina auctions common? Are they the best kept
secret in boating or something? What, my luck I finally stumbled on that
gold mine I've been dreaming of all my life?!!! ;-)


Not specifically, but consider: If the boat is worth $20K, or $15K, or
even $8K, why doesn't the owner sell it himself, pay off his
liens/fees, and pocket at least a little profit?

My guess was that he (they) can't, he doesn't have the money to get his
boat out of the impound first so he can sell it. He let the payments
slide for too long.

Abandoned vehicles of
any sort are usually in poor condition. But, like I said, it's always
possible that you could wind up with a fabulous deal.

I guess the marinas make the renters put up their boats as collateral
upon failure to pay as happens with cars and car payments, and plenty of
good cars get repo'd, right? They don't fit in the same category as
"abandoned." The boat or car gets taken even when the owner badly
doesn't want it to, unlike abandoned vehicles.

Their misfortune is my fortune! cough

...snip...

insurance, maintenance, repairs, etc.

Again, my nutty idea: If I get the right boat at the right price, like a
neglected, quality boat with some age, that has value, I'll get my money
back from maintenance and repairs won't I? or a good chunk of it?
Meanwhile I can have fun sailing and cruising around the massive
shoreline that is Puget Sound with my family. Even if it needs a few
thousand for a new motor and a few thousand for new sails, I can put my
elbow grease into it, etc, and have it worth more in five years or so,
if I want to move up in boats, or if I want to get out of boats altogether.


My short answer is, "No." Maybe after a lucky deal on a used Swan or a
"collectible" boat or something, but not for a Hunter or most any boat
you're looking at. As always, there could always be a specific
exception and/or I could simply be be wrong. But that's my $.02.

Hmm, I guess I'll have to re-gauge my estimation of Hunters. They don't
make Catalina's look like MacGregors, then? I figured since I heard good
things about them and couldn't find cheap ones anywhere on the internet,
they were a cut above the other stuff I've been looking at. Like, what's
better, a Hunter or a Ranger? I'm leaning toward the lighter/faster
boats for more speed and because I don't need as much seaworthiness,
since I'll probably never get out of Puget Sound.

Good luck! Keep us informed of your progress.

Thanks!

Stephen