How to get rid of an old boat

A boat you don't use still costs money: storage or slip fees, registration, insurance, and a driveway or yard you can't use. Disposing of a large non-running boat can cost thousands of dollars; the BoatUS Foundation puts it at $5,000 to $25,000 for a 25 to 30 foot boat.

Leaving a boat somewhere isn't an option either. Many states fine owners who abandon boats and charge them for the removal.

• Sell it yourself. Usually the most money for a boat that runs and is in demand, but it takes photos, listings, calls, test drives and paperwork.
• Sell or trade it to a dealer. Fast, but dealers rarely want old or non-running boats, and the price reflects that.
• Scrap it. You pay a salvage yard to cut it up. Fiberglass is hard to recycle, so most of it goes to landfill.
• A state turn-in program. Some states, such as Washington, run programs to take in derelict or unwanted boats before they become a hazard. Eligibility is limited.
• Donate it to a charity. Some charities accept boats. If a tax deduction matters to you, ask the charity about its status and talk to a tax adviser.
• Donate it to One Dollar Boats. Free pickup nationwide, running or not, with or without a trailer. We handle the title paperwork and auction the boat from $1, so it goes to someone who'll use it or fix it up.

Whichever option you choose, it goes faster with:

• The title, or your registration if your state doesn't title boats
• The hull identification number (HIN), on the upper right side of the transom
• A few photos, and where the boat is
• What you know about its condition: does it run, when did it last run, anything broken

Lost the title? See donating a boat without a title.

1. 1
   Tell us about the boat on the donation form. It takes two minutes, and no photos are needed yet.
2. 2
   We call within one business day to confirm the details and schedule pickup.
3. 3
   We collect the boat at no cost to you and handle the title paperwork.
4. 4
   It goes to auction at $1. Buyers nationwide compete, and you get your space back.