Perth Voice Interactive

Paddle steamer owner Chas Cox is offering a $50,000 spotter’s fee to anyone who can find a buyer for his vintage Decoy.

Mr Cox has been trying to flog the Decoy for $1.8million for the last two years, but aside from a few casual inquiries from businessmen in China and an inspection by mining mogul Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, interest has been scant.

He’s also approached the WA government about incorporating the steamer into the Elizabeth Quay project as a tourist attraction or floating restaurant, but has had no bites.

He has now reduced the price to $1.2m and started using social media to generate interest.

“The low interest is partly down to the economy and the fact that nobody really puts paddle steamer into Gumtree or eBay—it’s a very specialised item to sell,” said 68-year-old Cox.

“I’d like it to stay in WA and would be open to a half-share option, but I’m in semi-retirement and getting too old to run it on a day-to-day operational basis.”

Mr Cox said the paddle steamer has a liquor and gaming license and was profitable during it 20 year-run. The Decoy was built in Fremantle in 1986 using a 106-year-old engine.

According to Mr Cox, the only other operational sea-going paddle steamer in the world is the Waverley in Glasgow, used for nostalgic cruises “doon the water” on the River Clyde.

Sea-faring millionaires can contact Chas at http://www.psdecoy.com.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK