Well, the other bidder was probably the guys buddy
Yep, same here on the recent prices increasing. When I seen the prices spiking on this at the end of the auction, I couldn't believe it. Propellers have really went up a lot too, three or four years ago, they were going for 50 or so, bought two for that price, now it seems they all start around 200 for anything large and usable. The fee increases from Ebay may have something to do with it too. 10% on the first $1000.
That's why I decided to make my own whistle. I bought about four of off Ebay and don't really like the sound of any of them, too "tooty" for a tug. The prices they are drawing are ridiculous. I just want a whistle that sounds right, don't care if it's a collectors item or not. That one guy (whistleman?) has or did have walls full of them. Same for the drip oil collectors, I don't get it
-Ron