Historic yacht up on Trade Me - for $1 reserve

Fiona Campbell bought the 1944 schooner for her "seafaring" husband but they have since divorced. Photo/ Trade Me

A woman has put her $800,000 historic yacht on Trade Me - for a $1 reserve.

The 20m Staysail Schooner, made in 1944, is up for auction after the woman's marriage ended, landing her with a boat she wasn't using.

"I bought my seafaring husband this beautiful yacht," Fiona Campbell wrote on Trade Me.

"We had amazing trips on it and I loved sailing her. But then my husband and I divorced and I was left with the yacht.

"I love her but she is not my passion and not my area of expertise. It makes my heart sad seeing her potential go under utilised."

The Ruah has undergone 15 years of conversion to be turned from an Australian Navy yacht to a private boat.

The yacht, Ruah, had been tied up at Chaffer's Marina for too long, Campbell told Fairfax.

"It needs somebody who loves it, knows about it and is there to keep her in tip-top shape," she said.

"It should be out there in some magic bay with a family on it having a great time."

Campbell suggested the Ruah as an alternative to an Auckland home.

"Put her Bayswater Marina and have absolute waterfront living for a fraction of the cost of an Auckland house or apartment."

Campbell hopes a lover of the seas will buy her boat to give it the love it deserves. Photo/ Trade Me

Originally built for the Australian Navy, the long-distance cruising vessel has been converted over the past 15 years to become a private yacht.

A new Gardner 6LX, 175HP main engine was installed in 2013 and the yacht has six private cabins.

"Help me out," Campbell wrote on Trade Me.

"Buy my lovely old girl and see the world differently."

By 10am on Friday afternoon bids had reached more than $450,000.

Bidding ends on Monday January 16.