Whalers at Auctions

A conversation among Whalers
quickenberger
Posts: 90
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 8:48 pm

Whalers at Auctions

Postby quickenberger » Wed Sep 20, 2017 2:00 pm

After having a successful restoration of a 19ft Sentry, I find myself without a project and have been wondering about how people stay in the loop for when state/gov property goes up for auction. I would like to pick up another whaler project in the next year or so and have been keeping my eye out on the government auction websites, but I hear of auctions that are offline.

These are probably vague questions, but I'll throw them out there just for fun:

How do people get in the loop for offline or online state/government auctions?

Do states/government have to post items that they will auction (whether the auction is online or offline), and are there resources available to find that listing?

I understand people don't like to divulge secrets, but if any of you know of auctions where 19 to 25-feet-long Boston Whaler boats are [sold] then maybe you [can share the information]. I like the Sentry, but something with a walkaround cabin would be nice too.

Thanks all.

Wavehopper
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2016 1:41 pm

Re: Whalers at Auctions

Postby Wavehopper » Sun Sep 24, 2017 1:45 pm


A good source for retired government boats is the GSA (Government Surplus Auction)
They frequently post auctions with Boston Whalers from the Navy, Parks Department, and Coast Guard.
https://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/

"Bar None Auctions" is auctioning off a Boston Whaler Guardian 25’ on October 13th.
http://www.barnoneauction.com

There is a very nice Boston Whaler Sentry 22’, on “CraigsList”.
Unfortunately it is up in Kodiak Alaska.
https://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/d/boston-whaler/6306584979.html

The other search website that I make use of is “Search Tempest”.
It will search “EBAY” and every “CraigsList” across the country for the item that you are looking for.
https://www.searchtempest.com/

You need to be cautious of Scam’s on “CraigsList”.
There are currently 3 Boston Whaler Scams that I am aware of.
I flag the fraudulent postings and notify the “CraigsList” Fraud Department.
“CraigsList” is either unwilling or unable to remove these 3 obvious Scams.

https://wichita.craigslist.org/boa/d/31-boston-whaler-2003sport/6284171910.html
https://lincoln.craigslist.org/boa/d/03-boston-whaler-che/6284214447.html
https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/boa/d/2003-boston-whaler-rage-with/6284306021.html

All 3 Scams show a single photograph of a 31’ Boston Whaler with a description that does not match the boat.
They all have an asking price in the $4,000 range and the contact phone numbers are suspect.

I post my own “Boston Whaler Buyers Beware” warnings, on “CraigsList”, for every Scam that I find.
I post them in the same city with the same photograph that the scammer uses.

“I had a dream”
We gather up low-life Scammers and ambulance chasing attorneys then place them all on a derelict freighter.
Have the Navy make use of it for target practice and then scuttle it to create a new artificial reef.
Both Marine Life and Mankind would benefit.

quickenberger
Posts: 90
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 8:48 pm

Re: Whalers at Auctions

Postby quickenberger » Tue Sep 26, 2017 11:37 am

Thank you,
That is a very informative reply.

A 27ft Sentry recently went for ~$3300 in Miami on govdeals. https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=M ... cctid=7167

It would have been a bigger project than I would have wanted, but someday I might be adventurous enough to tackle something like that. Its one of those things where you keep cash on hand and when a good opportunity presents itself, then you pounce.

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Whalers at Auctions

Postby porthole » Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:07 pm

Wavehopper wrote:[b][i]
A good source for retired government boats is the GSA (Government Surplus Auction)
They frequently post auctions with Boston Whalers from the Navy, Parks Department, and Coast Guard.
https://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/




During my 20+ years stint at a local TowBoatUS company we bought used whalers on the GSA auction from all three of the above listed government agencies.

Boston Whalers from 17's to a 27' (and a USCG 41 UTB that went to work with just 2 weeks prep). All are commercial hulls and some have had some very stout hardware on them.

All have required work, but we were not at after bristol yachts, rather workhorses, which the Whalers are.
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF