In the past 15 years of writing about the high-performance powerboat world, I’ve been invited to and attended countless “media day” events. Some are real news, like the introduction of a new catamaran or V-bottom. Others are manufactured news, like the stunning debut of a new CNC machine at a boat plant. But the invitation I received yesterday definitely puts all of them—in terms of flat-out weirdness—to shame.

Seems that VSE Corporation and Rick Levin & Associates are hosting a media day this Wednesday, May 26 for the preview of items in a June 3, “Specialty Auction of seized and forfeited luxury vehicles and vessels formerly owned by Scott Rothstein and others.”

If you’re well-connected to the go-fast boat world, you’ve likely heard of Scott Rothstein. But if you haven’t, Rothstein is a high-profile, soon-to-be-ex South Florida attorney who plead guilty to five felonies in a $1.4 billion Ponzi scheme. Yet to be sentenced, he faces up to 100 years in prison.

I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass on this particular media day. First, it’s happening in less than 36 hours in Florida. Second, I live in California. So there’s a slight logistical, to say nothing of financial, issue. Third—and this is the important one—I’m not exactly sure what I’d do at “media day” featuring seized assets, much less what I’d write about it. But for those of you who are interested, here are boats that will be auctioned:

•2007 87’ Warren Yacht

•2005 33’ Riva Aqua Riva Super

•1998 55’ Sea Ray Sundancer

•2006 Nor-Tech Supercat

Oh yeah, there’s also a few Yamaha “Jet Skis” on the block, though Yamaha’s personal watercraft brand actually is “Wave Runner.” Kawasaki, on the other hand, makes the “Jet Ski” line. But I digress.

Used to be that at this time of year boating writers were getting invitations to dealer meetings for new-model roll-outs. Now, we’re getting invites to seized asset auctions. Sign of the times, I guess.

Times that cannot change soon enough