Hurricane-salvage boats at auction: somebody talk me out of it
Asked by saltydog_frank in Buying & Selling Advice on May 27, 2026
Auction sites are full of barely-damaged-looking boats at 30 cents on the dollar after last season. I know, I know — but SOME of them have to be deals, right? Who's actually done it?
3 replies
perkins4108 · May 28, 2026
Surveyed dozens post-storm. The visible damage is never the problem. Saltwater in the harness, in the foam, behind the liner — boats 'fixed' from auctions come through my dock two years later as someone's regret. The 30% price IS the market being efficient.
hatterashank · May 29, 2026
Exception: trailer boats that flooded with FRESH water and got dried fast. Outboard swap + harness + done. Anything that sat in salt: run.
saltydog_frank · May 29, 2026
This is why I post here before bidding. Wallet closed, thread delivered.