I've bought and sold a bunch of canoes in the past few years but the couple I have worked on I have sent to the auction.
Since it is a no-reserve auction I usually hope to break even or come close to the value I have into the canoe. The experience I get from working on them is what I get out of it.
I now own a bandsaw and a router so the next canoe I "practice" on will be a little better.