Boatauction

Boatauction is a Dutch specialist selling nothing but vessels, from small sloops to large motor yachts. Lots run with a visible countdown and a current price, and the fleet is spread across the Netherlands, Belgium and further afield — recent lots have lain in places as far apart as Amsterdam, Livorno and the Croatian coast.

What you can buy

• Motorboats — consistently the largest category.
• Sailing boats, including open sailing dinghies.
• Speedboats and sloops.
• Workboats and houseboats.
• Budget lots, listed as their own category.

How the bidding works

Sales are timed online auctions with a published closing moment per lot. Part of the supply is executory — court-ordered sales — which are catalogued separately from ordinary consignments. The boat stays where it lies until you collect it, so the location field on the lot is a logistics fact, not a formality.

What to check before you bid

Where the boat lies decides your real cost: transport over land for anything above trailer size is a serious expense, and berth fees may be accruing until you move it. Executory lots are sold as they stand, with less recourse than a private sale and often without sea trial. Check what papers come with the hull — registration, CE marking and engine hours — because a vessel without documents is much harder to insure and resell than the price suggests.