Government boat auctions are big business and included under the general heading are disposals of police and coastguard seizures. These arrests may often be drugs-related smuggling (one of my own was seized by customs with drugs aboard - before I bought her, I hasten to add, and sold through a government boats auction). vessels at auction may also come from the Navy, which has fleets of sail and power craft which they use for training ratings and officers. These boats may be well-used but are usually well maintained. When replaced they come up on offer at government surplus auctions. You will usually be buying 'sold as seen' and that is a risk unless you really take some care and advice. Government auctions boats - not a headline you see in the press, as there is an auction somewhere most days, but what are the risks of finding your dream boat at auction? 'Sold as Seen' can be a daunting phrase. It is not easy to have a full survey and sue the government after the event. With an auto auction you may have a few hours after buying to return the car if it has an undeclared fault - with a tacht you may have a few days, you may not - it all depends on the auction 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 is leaking. If she's ashore then it's easier, though you obviously can't easily tell if she's watertight. Either way, you will certainly be able to check her out beforehand. It may be worth hiring a boat surveyor if you are not an expert yourself. Good auction companies will declare known problems in advance. If the boat been used by the government itself (or an agency), then the vessel will have had a lot of use - on a yacht, rigging and sails may need replacement (not easy to judge rigging 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. If the vessel is a seizure, then it can be even harder to judge. Where was she berthed? Where was she arrested? If a vessel has been used for drugs transportation, then it is likely that it will be sound though a drugs search could have resulted in damage. Smugglers don't put a load of drugs in a vessel that's either likely to sink or have a failure and need a tow into harbour. Not good business. If you have picked out the boat you want to bid on, and she is a recognised design (maybe say, a Chris Craft), then search the web to find out if there is an owners club. There may be forum discussions too, maybe on a boating magazine website. These enquiries may give you clues as to the possible problems that you should check on with that particular brand or model. So, why on earth (or on the sea!) would anyone buy a power boat or yacht at a yacht auction? Simple - price. You can get the best bargains that way.
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