The first thing I looked for was a dark stain under the hull. Old gas smells sharp when it sits in a plastic tank for five years, and I will not load a vessel until I know where the fluids are. A couple in Merced called us while clearing out a family estate in January. They were downsizing to a condo, the moving truck was sitting right in the middle of the driveway, and their relatives had parked three cars around this ten-foot jet ski. The fiberglass hull had a deep crack along the bottom, and the jet pump was locked up solid.
Before our crew backed into the yard, the family completed the release of liability paperwork when booking. Since the original title was lost over the years, we helped them sort through the state registration and a clean bill of sale. To handle the removal and disposal, we checked for fuel and oil leaks first. The tires on the small trailer were rotted flat, but the wheel hubs still turned. We used our trailer to load the whole rig intact, winched it up, and strapped it tight without bumping any of the family’s cars.
We hauled the junk boat out to begin the salvage process. Our team pulls off usable hardware for recycling before sending the cracked fiberglass shell to a permitted disposal site. The owners kept their signed receipt and cleared out the driveway for the movers. If you have non-running watercraft sitting on your land, call 209-580-0395 for our boat removal services.
How our boat removal process really starts
Usually, we inspect the tire sidewalls and grease caps on boat trailers before moving them an inch. Hairline cracks in the rubber or rust flaking around the bearings show that the axle will bind up under load. That quick check tells our crew whether a trailer can roll onto our rig or if we need to lift the vessel off its frame right where it sits.
Removal and disposal in Merced, CA: the details
| Job | Boat removal with salvage and recycling |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1993 jet ski, about 10 feet |
| Where it sat | On a trailer in the yard of an estate the family was settling |
| Who called | A couple downsizing to a condo with no room for a trailer |
| What was wrong | A cracked hull and a seized pump |
| Estimate | Estimate first, free |
| Paperwork | Release of liability kept by the owner |
| Area | Merced County, CA |
Shown as an example of our boat removal work in Merced County; not a specific job record. Photos are illustrative only.
Before you book boat removal in Merced
Can you remove a boat that is in the water?
Yes, we handle sunken and partially submerged vessels at docks, marinas, and waterfront properties. Our crew secures the craft, addresses any pump or lift needs, and hauls it out safely using our heavy equipment and trailer setup.
Can I get rid of a boat without title?
Yes, you can dispose of a vessel without a title in many cases. We guide property owners through the necessary registration checks and bill of sale documents required to clear the vessel for legal removal and disposal.
Boat removal and disposal near Merced
We pick up boats across Merced County, in Los Banos, Atwater, Livingston and Gustine. Winter storms in the valley drop steady rain into uncovered hulls. A small hull fills up fast, adding hundreds of pounds of water weight that makes hauling harder and can split weakened fiberglass if left sitting in cold weather.
Got a boat that needs to leave Merced? Call 209-580-0395 for a free estimate.