Harry potter boat goes under the hammer - 14/04/2010

Film enthusiasts will be able to bid for some of the waterborne stars of famous movies at an online auction based in Kent.

Over 200 boats are going under the hammer at Thames boat builders in Chatham following the advent of computer-generated imagery in films, meaning that the boats are no longer required, the BBC reports.

Some of the boats have been used in Harry Potter, while others were featured in 1974 film Swallows and Amazons.

Richard Turk, Thames' director, told the news provider that vessels are being auctioned following dramatic changes in the film industry.

"I've had a lot of luck, I've been to India, Africa, China, so I've had some good times and some bad," he commented.

Starting prices for the boats begin at £0 and the highest bidder will become each vessel's new owner.

Apex Auctions, the company managing the auction, said it has received enquiries from all around the world, including interest from specialist groups.

Yesterday (April 13th), Bonhams in New York auctioned a Curtiss MF Seagull Flying Boat, which was described as being in "remarkably good order", the Financial Times reports.