We have purchased 2 boat at the auction 4 years ago and it was a real gamble. Ours have paid off, but we really didn't save a ton of money. We still have both of our boats. A 25' pontoon party barge and a 3 seater yamaha jet ski. The ponton boat we purchased for about 3 to 4k under blue book, but it need about $1.5 k worth of work like a toon up/ battery and upholstry (it sat uncovered in the bow). The jets ski just needed a toon up and a new battery. We paid 1K under blue book.
So if you do the math we did not steal any of these boats. Pretty much paid what we could of talked a person down
The inventory even back 4 years ago was somewhat crappy. Not much to see. We went two different time getting one boat each time. Remember it is "AS IS" and sometimes that can cost you. Unless the batteries are charge or even if a battery is there, you might not get to see how many hours are on the boat. If they are a repo, those repo guys snag anything of value to them. Batteries, emblems, rear view mirrors, board racks, biminis ect. Out pontoon boat still does not have a stereo in it, but I hardly use it. The jek ski didn't have any keys if I recall.
If I were you I would go and check it out. See the auction in action and if there is something that comes down the line that you could live with buy it. Know the price of the boat 1st. Low trade in value as the true price.
Then set what price you are willing to pay for it and listen to you gut.
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