The Canary Islands port authority, Puertos Canarios, has announced a public auction of 12 abandoned boats, with starting prices ranging from as little as €100 to €20,000. The auction, which is set to generate a minimum of €34,700 for public funds, offers an eclectic mix of vessels, from small recreational boats to a historic ship with a documented past.
Maintaining a boat is no small feat, and despite the recent surge in demand for boats as alternative living spaces, many of the vessels up for auction bear histories and characteristics that significantly influence their value.
The 12 boats vary widely in size and condition. Some are small recreational boats, others are larger vessels intended for tourism, and there are also small fishing boats available.
Six of the boats are moored in Fuerteventura (three in Corralejo and three in Morro Jable), two in Gran Canaria (one in Arguineguín and one in Las Nieves), one in Lanzarote (Playa Blanca), one in La Graciosa (Caleta del Sebo), and one in Tenerife (Garachico).
According to the official notice published in the Canary Islands Boletin Oficial (BOC), potential buyers can visit the boats in their respective ports until 2:00pm on 10th April 2025. Offers must be submitted at the Puertos Canarios registration offices, either in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Calle Luis Doreste Silva nº 2, Edificio Tamarco) or in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Calle La Marina nº 53, Edificio Europa).
The auction will follow a sealed bid process, meaning bidders will not know how much others are offering. The only guidance available is the starting price for each boat, leaving a degree of uncertainty until the bids are opened.
A Historic Ship with a Century-Long Legacy
Among the boats up for auction, the Ora et Labora stands out for its rich history. Built in 1888 in Germany, this sailing ship was originally used for fishing along the African coast. Over the years, it found its way to Mallorca and then to Fuerteventura before finally settling in Lanzarote.
Currently located in Playa Blanca, the Ora et Labora suffered a fire 27 years ago. In 2015, its then-owner, Ramón Martín Umpiérrez, attempted to restore the ship with an investment of €160,000, including €93,000 from a Canary Islands Government grant. The plan was to transform it into a unique maritime museum.
However, this is not the first time the Ora et Labora has faced abandonment. Last year, it was put up for auction with a starting price of €130,000, but a lack of interest saw its value drop dramatically to the current opening bid of €20,000. Whether the historic vessel will find a new owner remains to be seen, with its fate hanging in the balance until the auction concludes on 10th April.
