The 2011 Clayton Auction! Auction Or Crime Spree?
As many of you may have seen, or been following, Woody Boater was on the search for a classic boat for our go to boat. We chose a magnificent 1960 Sportsman.. And could not be happier with it.. She runs like a sewing machine… that has a big block Lincoln 430 in it.. Wow, what a fun run that is…And the perfect social boat.. But, as expected, with always another boat around the corner, the inevitable.. Oh,, that boat looks cool, wonder if I should have gotten that boat pops up.. I get that.. We here are very happy with what we have.. But.. With this Clayton auction.. and the email blasts now coming in from Antique Boat America.. They all seem to feature all the boats we were looking at.. A 1959 Chris Craft 24 sportsman, a 26 Lyman Sleeper, and now a cruiser.. a beautiful $100K restoration cruiser…and all of them at no reserve.. Ahhhhhhh.. What the hell???? Peter is torturing me.. There I am going to be, watching the auction.. doing “goesinta’s” ( Thanks Jethro) in my head trying to add up and justify my purchase.. That’s the fun and hell of a no reserve auction.. Ya never know what stuff will go for. The prices set the market. Will that other 24 sportsman go for $10K… 20K? This cruiser that has all this money dumped into it..10k? that 26 Lyman.. 6K? All steals.. STEALS! Speaking of, a roamer? Or will they go for fair market value as we all expect? Is the market out there.. Seems to be, boats are selling, and under $25K seems to be the sweet spot.. I just don’t want to be sitting there saying, I could have had a v8.. a small block v8.. for 5K….So if you planning on coming up.. look for me I will be the one screaming, THIEF! You stole my boat…
The problem with an auction like that is after you buy all those $5k boats with small block V8’s, you need a place to put them all. Then there is the expense of keeping them running and varnished. The time adds up too. Just think how long it would take just to change the oil on 20-30 boats, especially if they are small blocks where you need to suck it out through a tiny straw in the dip stick tube.
I think you will find the expensive boat is cheaper and easier.
I forgot to mention, I already have small block V8s sucking my wallet dry, but if you happen to see a nice 20 ft custom with a big flathead going for under $10k, please put in a bid for me.
I’d also take a nice Rivera
Or a nice Riveria.
Oh, I’d even settle for a Riviera or two…or three. Hate to see any go unloved.
If there is one. No matter how it’s spelled we will buy it for you.. A 1k cap on bidding???
I don’t want to seem cheap. How about a $10k cap on a 20 custom, $7.5k on a 20 Riv ( all spehlings) and $5k on an 18 Riv. They need to be floating, with all the original hardware; and they need to have a working flathead. No barn finds or V8 conversions. I’d prefer a new 5200 bottom, but traditional is OK. No fiberglass or west unless it is under $1k.
Is that too much to ask?
That’s right – We have some very cool stuff coming this year!! This auction will be over 75% no reserve….get your check book, bank drafts, and credit cards ready!