Ten million dollars? Not quite, but getting very close

by Bob Wonders on 25 May 2011 The magnificent motor yacht (superyacht in reality!), ‘Masteka 2’ went to auction here on the Queensland Gold Coast last week, after being ‘deluged’ with admirers when it was displayed at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Marine Auctions, the local company rapidly winning fame as the leading auction firm on the eastern seaboard, was hopeful of attracting bids in the region of $10 million for the stunning vessel.

Adrian Seiffert, CEO of Marine Auctions, said he believed ‘Masteka 2’ was the largest superyacht ever to go under hammer in Australia.

The company has about 50 craft of all shapes and sizes ready for bids at the Runaway Bay Marina and a sizeable gathering turned out to watch the action; there were certainly genuine bidders on hand, but doubtless there were many there curious as to what ‘Masteka 2 would fetch.

‘Masteka 2’ is a Monte Fino-built, 37.0-metre motoryacht with a 3000 nautical mile range on her dual 1675hp Caterpillar diesel engines.

Describing her interior and accommodations as luxurious does not do her justice.

The master suite not only includes a fabulous en-suite (as one would expect) complete with a Jacuzzi, but its own study.

Guests do ok, too, with four VIP suites all en-suited and finished and fitted out just as superbly as the remainder of the ship.

Not surprisingly, Adrian Seifert opened the auction with the superyacht and bidding began at $6 million.

It moved very quickly to $7 million and with the experienced Adrian on the microphone soon jumped to $8 million and then, a little more slowly, to $9 million.

Despite what might be termed ‘pleading’ from the auctioneer he was unable to extract another $100,000.

The vessel was passed in $9 million; mid week I was able to catch up with Adrian and contracts had been prepared for a possible sale of Masteka 2’ at $10.5 million.

''I should be able to confirm any day now,' he said.

For those able to afford a $10.5 million boat, ‘Masteka 2’ definitely rates as ' a bargain.'; it cost $20 million to build two-years ago and has been maintained in showroom condition.

For most of us, ownership of such a vessel could be termed very distant indeed.

The remainder of the auction proceeded in its usual efficient manner and although final sales had not been confirmed by mid week, Marine Auctions believed 55 to 60 percent of the craft offered would be going to new owners.

Many bidders tend to wait until the auction draws to a close before outlining their interest in a particular vessel.

Some sales are done ‘on the quiet’, people preferring to remain anonymous for various reasons.

Five boats were sold post-auction in this manner.

The craft up for bids ranged from personal watercraft through to the dominant ‘Masteka 2’ and included power and sail.

A quantity of chandlery items, some brand new, were also offered for sale, ranging from bilge pumps to life jackets, anchors to stainless steel Jerry cans and 3.8-metre inflatables (without engines).

For further information contact Marine Auctions, telephone (07) 3268-3614 or visit the Marine Auctions website