Long Beach Boat Auction

[kjsailingSpring]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with/has attended the Boat Auctions that Long Beach has a couple times a year. I'm looking to buy a solid, used blue water cruising sailboat (33' to 40') at some point during this year and I'm wondering if it would be worth my time and the plane ticket to go. My questions are along the lines of:

Are the "deals" that auctions offer worth the risk of getting a lemon? (I'm very handy at fixing up most anything but 1 hours time to examine for structural problems in possible purchase is risky for an amateur).

Is the possibility of getting a steal on a great boat prolific or marginal at best?

How many boats do they auction, typically?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!