Buying Boats and Marine Equipment at Auction

Thousands of boats and marine gear get sold through an auction every year in Australia and for those hunting for a discount on retail, or a restoration project, it should be on your radar.

Where to find Boat and Marine Auctions

Firstly it’s worth understanding why these items are at auction which includes repossessions, seizures, manufacturer and boatyard clearances, insurance salvage, business closures, and ex-gov to name the major sources of stock at auction.

Many, but not all, boat auctions are unreserved, especially salvage auctions (more on that below) and ex-gov sales held at Pickles and Manheim. While I rarely see unreserved sales at other auctioneers they do offer a greater level of inspectability and testing with many boats still being on the water.

The next question is to know where.

The major boat auctioneers in Australia are Pickles and Manheim which handle ex-lease, repo, salvage, and ex-gov, then, Grays which has been ramping up its marine auctions which mostly seem to be manufacturer/yard clearance and finance company stock, another major player is Marine Auctions based out of Brisbane.

See our listing of auctioneers by state and if you know which model boat you are chasing, give our auction search engine a try.

You can also find random boats for auctions as part of larger sales and for these, you’ll need to keep your eye on local auctions in your area. When we come across relevant sales we add them to our Boats and Marine category

Current and upcoming auction notices

Upcoming Boating and Marine Auctions in Australia > 31/01/25 - Upcoming boat auctions in Australia as of 31/01/25 including police seized, salvage, general sale, and liquidation. Auction Finder collates and… ...
National Ex-Military Online Auction - Pickles will hold their National ex-Military Auctions on behalf of Australian Frontline Machinery. Featuring a huge range of ex-Military Industrial… ...
Vehicles, Plant & Equipment Liquidation Auction - MGS Auctions of SA will hold a Vehicles, Plant & Equipment auction scheduled for Tuesday, 26th November 2024 at 10:30… ...
Upcoming Sales at Slattery Auctions - Upcoming Sales at Slattery Auctions inc. machinery, trucks, hardware, IT, Opals, Boats and much more   Mt. Gambier and Regions… ...
General Auction – Cars, Trucks, Trailers, Forklifts, Tractors, Jetski, Boats and More - ONLINE / ONSITE GENERAL and MOTOR VEHICLE AUCTION SATURDAY 4TH MAY COMMENCING 9.30AM 205A SHELLHARBOUR RD, KEMBLAWARRA, PORT KEMBLA VIEW… ...
Major Rooms Auction – Boats; HSV Clubsport; XC Falcon Ute; Tools & More - AUCTION SALE MAJOR ROOMS AUCTIONS Bidding NOW open - Closing Wednesday 8th May from 10am ALUFARM MARINE 6.5M FISHING/SURVEY BOAT,… ...
Light Vehicles, Boats, Caravans, ATV, Trailers & More Light Vehicles, Boats, Caravans, ATV, Trailers & More - AUCTION ON NOW Sale 4029 - Light Vehicles, Trailers & More Featuring: Toyota Prado 4X4 Wagons, Toyota Landcruiser & Hilux… ...

Insurance and Salvage Boat Auctions

Pickles holds regular “recreational salvage” sales which include a large number of boats and jetskis among the caravans and bikes all being cleared without reserve for insurance companies. Manheim also has marine sales although not quite as regularly as Pickles.

I probably don’t need to tell you what a risky and expensive experience buying a boat from the auction can be, but, for the well-trained (or overly adventurous and fortunate) it can be hugely rewarding.

Boat Auction Buyers Guide

Most auctions have preview days, visiting the auction site to inspect the boats gives you a chance to see which boats are of interest so you can check on their realistic value for condition/age.

Talking to boat dealers/technicians is also valuable because they may know of problems with a certain model/s.

Check the classified ads to see what similar models sell for on the open market to use as a guide. Remember to assume the worst as repairs can be expensive – seized engines, rusted electronics, etc. Boat auctions can be a bargain way into that dream boat with research and diligence to see that come true.

Defining the boat for your needs and lifestyle

  • What size of boat, do you want a small boat or a larger boat?
  • Do you want to water ski? Fish? Cruise?
  • Do you want a boat you can pull on a trailer? For use on inland waterways? Coastal waterways?
  • Do you want a larger boat for sailing, entertaining, extensive cruising, ocean fishing, or diving?
  • Do you plan to berth your boat in a marina? Larger boats are not usually trailered.
  • How often do you plan to use your boat, will you use it seasonally or year-round?
  • Can you park your boat at home or will you rent storage space?
  • What are your boating skills, are you an experienced mariner or just starting out?
  • Do your boating skills match the boat you want to buy or do you need instruction/training?
  • How much do you want to pay, what is your price range?
  • What will your marine insurance cost?
  • Have you accounted for licensing, registration, permits, safety equipment etc.?
  • How much will you need to spend for annual boat maintenance and or repairs?

Many boats are purchased each year without adequate research into the cost of ownership and suitability, get this right and you’re sure to have a less costly recreation machine.

Rodney

Rodney is the developer of Auctionfinder.com.au, with over 30 years experience in the auto trade working with Ford Motor Company, and later I.T. He is a motor mechanic by trade who greatly enjoys restoring the value in used items and returning them to service. He did this for several years, purchasing used cars from Pickles and Manheim auctions, in both Melbourne and Brisbane, carrying out repairs, and finding new homes for them. In his mid-years, he studied Computer Science at the RMIT, began building websites and dabbling in buying bulk lots of computers at auction and sending them out to new homes via eBay and local marketplaces. He also enjoys travel, the outdoors, and the history of ancient empires.

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