At first glance, many of the ships offered via online auction still look reasonably intact. And in fact, some were written off as total losses by the insurance companies simply because they were full of water up to the cabin ceiling - salt water!
On 29 October last year, Hurricane Sandy hit the US East Coast and left a trail of devastation in its wake. Not only entire towns and villages were affected. Thousands of ships, including many sailing yachts, also suffered damage, some of it severe.
Several auction houses have now specialised in auctioning off boats that are no longer being repaired by their owners. The question arises as to whether it is worthwhile for local interested parties to place bids and possibly acquire a boat very cheaply in this way.
We looked at the offers and spoke to experts. The result and the answers can now be read in the new YACHT (issue 8/2013, available from newsagents now).
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
