Post the Worst "For Sale" Picture You've Seen.

[Opie91]

People are actually bidding on it now!!!!!!

Solar Electric Sailing Yacht - Ocean Bird - with Mariner 20hp Auxillary | eBay

[Olddan1943]

I have late to this parade of "broken dreams."
Most of the pictured boats should have been sold years before they deteriorated. The buyer could get some enjoyment before passing it on to the next buyer.
There are also more than a few non-profit organizations, for resale, that will accept your boat as a tax deduction. Give it to a boating school for a tax write off.
The person who ties up his boat and walks away more than likely doesn't have a mortgage on the boat.
If a person is that desperate to sell his boat, price it at a 'give away' price and go drink up the money you got for the boat.
If it's an estate sale, one of your survivors must quickly give it to a 'reputable' broker.... while it is still in good shape.
Have some respect for your boat. Just don't leave the boat around and let it deteriorate.
Your boat can still bring pleasure to someone.

[CaptTom]

Apologies in advance to those who will cringe at re-opening this thread.

While innocently looking for a specific piece of equipment, I stumbled across a site for government auctions called publicsurplus.com. They have a section enticingly titled "marine." Of course, I clicked.

Like a wreck on the highway, I couldn't stop myself from looking at some of the derelict boats. Note the "reserve not met" flag next to the "current price $500" on many of them.

I also find some of the pictures hauntingly beautiful. There's something compelling about the juxtaposition of the mundane or new-looking among the decay and destruction. A pair of neatly-folded, monogrammed towels. One boot. A ketchup bottle. A vase in the cabinet above a destroyed galley. Carefully spun spider webs at the helm station.

Looking at ordinary boat porn is forgivable. When you start getting into derelict boat porn it may be time to admit you have a problem.

[senormechanico]

I took a look at a couple of those boats.

After looking at the wood Grand Banks, I got the feeling there are ghosts aboard.

https://publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1964231

[Olddan1943]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

I took a look at a couple of those boats.

After looking at the wood Grand Banks, I got the feeling there are ghosts aboard.

https://publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1964231

I've seen abandoned mansions in greater disrepair. Only solution, salvage the the metal and engines, burn the rest.

Whoever was there last forgot to clean up.

I suspect the $500 is the broker's fee.

[Mirage35]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

I took a look at a couple of those boats.

After looking at the wood Grand Banks, I got the feeling there are ghosts aboard.

https://publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1964231

They're clearly visible in photo 11 of 13.

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by AnglaisInHull

They're clearly visible in photo 11 of 13.

Yes! I wondered where they got that pic of the boat in its glory days. Are the couple on deck the sellers? Their estate? What would they think if they saw the condition it's in now?

And picture 10 in the same series, the one with the vase over the galley. Makes me want to hear the rest of the story! Clearly there was work going on at one point. Did someone actually try to start a renovation? Does that can of beans hold a bunch of fasteners, or was that from someone's lunch? The coffee cup; is it still half-full of coffee? How long have the jar of peanut butter and box of crackers been there?

[senormechanico]

As Cap't Tom said,
"Looking at ordinary boat porn is forgivable. When you start getting into derelict boat porn it may be time to admit you have a problem."

It's of some comfort I realize I'm not the only one with a problem !

[Olddan1943]

Maybe to owner died on board and the family wanted nothing to do with a boat that smelled bad. SHRUG

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Yes! I wondered where they got that pic of the boat in its glory days. Are the couple on deck the sellers? Their estate? What would they think if they saw the condition it's in now?

And picture 10 in the same series, the one with the vase over the galley. Makes me want to hear the rest of the story! Clearly there was work going on at one point. Did someone actually try to start a renovation? Does that can of beans hold a bunch of fasteners, or was that from someone's lunch? The coffee cup; is it still half-full of coffee? How long have the jar of peanut butter and box of crackers been there?

Vase? That looks more like an URN!

[senormechanico]

Interesting thought.

The "vase" is perfectly centered and the boat is a complete mess everywhere EXCEPT that shelf !

[Therapy]

Probably wanted to be scattered at sea but boat is not sea worthy,eh?
Passing that on to a new owner is......umm...........strange.

[hpeer]

My old marina had a elderly live aboard gentleman pass away on his boat. Found him a few days latter. Apparently he had some hygiene issues for awhile prior to his demise.

I knew him, but was not close. Heartbreaking for all.

[john61ct]

Premise for a cool script:

"Free boat, must fulfill PO's list of last wishes"

At the end the secret executor reveals the mega-boat-bucks set aside, conditional on her performance with the list. . .

[Pete7]

Another e bay special. This once very popular wooden cruiser has been re-planked with tongue and groove probably floor boards on the inside and unbelievably the outside

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/boat-project-/112613009337

Hull; this is the main area which needs doing if you want to put her in the water. Just to live on as a land boat I have used tongue and grove inside and out, with some polystyrene as insulation, so I could keep her dry and warm. If you have the skills and want to re-plank her, obviously you can work on her at this location and finish her or move her to your own place. When she was lifted out of the water, she had been on her side for months, and I thought she would snap- but she didn’t, - but a crack down one side that needs attention -showing she has a strong frame. After drying her out it was apparent some of the ribs to the frame are rubbish, so those will either need to be made or you use a new-ish technique; using high density polyethylene. (See YouTube videos to see how this is done by boat builders – it’s pretty cool). I have already spent hundreds of pounds on having this all cut to size and is all new and boxed, ready to use. This will save time and money and is simple and clever. Another option – instead of replanking with expensive wood is to use marine ply then fibreglass over it. The choice is yours.