Marine Auctions comes to the Queensland Gold Coast

by Bob Wonders on 8 Apr 2010 Adrian Seiffert, CEO of Brisbane, Queensland-based Marine Auctions, is presenting a broad range comprising 20 vessels for the company's inaugural auction at the Runaway Bay Marina, at the northern end of the Gold Coast on Saturday (April 10).

The company intends to make the Runaway Bay event a regular occurrence and has already planned its second auction for May 22, to coincide with the influx of potential buyers on the Gold Coast for the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

'We have also opened an office at the Horizon Shores Marina, further north and we're looking at additional facilities with a Sydney office likely to be the next Marine Auctions base,' Adrian explained.

'At this stage, we intend to run our Brisbane auction at Rivergate alternately with Runaway Bay, probably bringing in another at Horizon Shores perhaps on a monthly basis,' he explained.

Being the company's first Runaway Bay auction, Adrian was unsure what attendance to expect.

'However, Bill Fankhauser, who runs our Runaway Bay office, tells me inquiries have been excellent, so we're hoping for a strong turnout,' he explained.

Vessels up for auction on Saturday range from a 12' canoe through to a 4200 Mustang Sports Cruiser with only 180 hours on its engines.

There's also a bit of history on sale in the form of a 1981 Mariner Pacer and a 1987 Jenkscraft.

Five inflatable boats are up for auction, including a former Surf Life Saving Association 3.80-metre Achilles and a superb 2005 Zodiac 470 Pro Centre Console with a 90hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard.

Other interesting craft include a 2008 22' Harris Sunliner Party Pontoon, complete with a 115hp Mercury four-stroke outboard and a 1997, 34' steel hulled houseboat powered by dual (and brand new) 25hp Mercury outboards.

Sailors, too, will find something of interest; there's a Swanson Dart, a 21' day sailer, a 24' Chesapeake Bay Sharpie ketch and, for the handy man, a 15.5-metre alloy sloop, an unfinished project that only needs lining and finishing.

It sports a Perkins diesel with only 200 hours on its since a complete re-build and comes with VHF and HF radios, four double berths, 400 litre fuel tankage and 200 litres water, refrigeration and 12 volt and 240 volt electric stove.

Adrian Seiffert himself is the auctioneer and has told me several of the vessels have no reserve price.

'Some carry a reserve, but I'm sure there's going to be a real bargain somewhere along the line for an astute buyer,' he said.

Marine Auctions sells a large number of vessels on behalf of the finance industry, including banks.

'And we take on auctions on behalf of boat manufacturers, importers, dealers, in fact anyone who has a boat and they want to download it, then come and see us,' he added.

Marine Auctions has already booked in more than 20 vessels for its planned May 22 auction at Runaway Bay, and that event will include a couple of million dollar-plus craft.

For further information, contact Marine Auctions, telephone (07) 3268-3614 or visit the website, www.marineauctions.com.au