BoatBid, an auction system for boats, launched on Saturday at the world famous Cowes Week. This highly innovative, totally secure and brilliantly simple system has been developed by Boatshed.com, so has the backing of nine years of yacht brokerage experience. BoatBid

Neil Chapman, MD of Boatshed said after the launch "There was a real buzz about this announcement, everyone seemed genuinely pleased to be offered another way of buying boats and of course we are all looking forward to a busy auction in November."

The first auction will take place at the 2008 Sail, Power and Watersports Show at Earls Court from 26-30 November where 100 boats from personal watercraft through to highly specified racing yachts will be available to buy through the bidding process.

Neil Chapman added “There are more second hand boats on the market than ever before and BoatBid offers an exciting addition to traditional yacht brokerage that we have been offering since we launched. Second hand boats continue to provide tremendous value and benefits compared to new boats and as with our traditional yacht brokerage service, BoatBid will give potential owners security when they buy their boat.”

“The auction parameters that surround the bidding process are transparent and are part of a proven formula that Boatshed has developed. The auction will work a bit like eBay but this is a bespoke service specifically designed for the boat market. At the show there will be an Auction Pod and brokers to handle the logistics and administration plus visitors will be able to talk to the brokers handling the sale. Visitors will also be able to chat about all aspects of buying and owning a boat including insurance, finance, storage, transportation and mooring.” Neil concludes.

BoatBid has been developed over two years and is a technologically advanced, secure and innovative system. Boatshed, the yacht brokers behind BoatBid, pride themselves on old fashioned values powered by modern technology. Established for nine years and currently with 67 offices around the globe, every boat on the Boatshed books has been visited by a broker which means that up to 70 photographs of every element – from bilges to mastheads – are available for scrutiny.

FACTS:
The BoatBid auction operations Pod will be onsite at Earls Court from the 26th - 30th November 2008 to handle the logistics and administration plus visitors will be able to talk to the brokers handling the sale.

The auction catalogue will include up to 100 boats available in the following categories:

Personal Water Craft
RIBS

Sail boats under 27 foot
Sail boats 27 to 34 foot
Sail boats 35 to 50 foot
Sail boats over 50 foot

Motor boats under 27 foot
Motor boats 27 to 34 foot
Motor boats 35 to 50 foot
Motor boats over 50 foot

BoatBid auctions are all operated along established Boatshed.com yacht brokerage standards and systems operating under the terms and conditions of the British Marine Federation (BMF).

The auction will be available to potential bidders across the world.

Boatshed systems are renowned for their long distance selling power with 1000's of boats been sold across Europe and now in USA plus as far afield as Japan.

The auction catalogue will be officially open 30 days prior to the opening of the show (27th October 2008) and will be available up to 24hours prior to the close of the show. Auctions will close at 17.00 each day of the show.

Selection of boats will be available onsite at the Sail Power & Watersports 2008 at Earls Court in a totally new auction area.

A full detailed specification and extensive photographs on all vessels will be available to all prospective bidders, plus the opportunity to talk direct to the experienced broker who has been onboard.

The Auction catalogue will be updated in real time with the vessel location, price and current Bid.

A comprehensive listing auction service is being undertaken by BoatBid backed by Boatshed.com Yacht Brokers and its 67 International Yacht Brokerage offices.

To get full information on the bidding process or to place your boat at this event please contact info@boatbid.com or phone us on +44 2392 523 992