February in Bloomington had dried out the old mahogany planks until you could see daylight through the hull, and the varnish was gray as gravel. A storage facility owner called us because the guy paying for the stall stopped sending checks months ago. He had a derelict boat taking up prime space, and he was tired of chasing a ghost down.
Before our crew loaded anything, we made sure the facility owner had the legal right to clear the stall, and he signed the release of liability when he booked us. We checked the bilges for hazardous fluids, draining a little old fuel into a container so nothing leaked onto the concrete. The trailer tires were cracked through, and when I looked at the hubs, the grease had turned to dusty rust. Those trailer bearings were locked tight. Instead of dragging it and tearing up the floor, our crew jacked up the axle, put our own dollies underneath, and winched the boat and its trailer right onto our haul rig.
We strapped the vessel down for transport. At our yard, salvageable hardware was removed so metal could be recycled, and the hull was taken apart for proper disposal. The facility owner got his stall back ready for a paying customer. For boat removal in Hennepin County, call 952-243-0735.
What I check first on every boat
Typically, we expect cold Minnesota weather to lock up brake drums and freeze trapped water inside a hull, turning an easy roll into a sled pull. Before we ever hook up to a frame, we inspect the tire sidewalls for dry rot and check if the grease caps have let water in. Seeing those signs tells us right away whether the rig can roll or if our trailer takes the weight.
The facts of the Bloomington job
| Job | Boat pickup by our crew |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1976 mahogany utility boat, about 18 feet |
| Where it sat | In a covered storage space whose renter had stopped paying |
| Who called | A storage facility owner tired of chasing a renter |
| What was wrong | Planks shrunk apart and the varnish gone gray |
| Estimate | Free estimate, photos helped |
| Paperwork | Release of liability with the deposit |
| Area | Hennepin County, MN |
Shown as an example of our boat removal work in Hennepin County; not a specific job record. Photos are illustrative only.
Bloomington owners ask about boat removal
Do you handle hurricane-damaged boats?
Yes, we do. Our crew takes storm-damaged and sunken vessels off docks, waterfront yards, and marinas. We bring the equipment needed to winch crushed hulls or broken frames onto our trailer, even if the vessel is in pieces or full of water.
Can I get rid of a boat without title?
Yes, in many cases you can. If you are the property owner and an abandoned junk boat was left on your land or at your dock, we work with you on the paperwork required before booking so the disposal moves forward legally.
From storage lots to docks in Hennepin County
We pick up boats across Hennepin County, in Minneapolis, Corcoran, Plymouth and Maple Grove. Winter here brings deep snow and sub-zero temperatures that freeze water inside fiberglass hull layers and rust leaf springs solid, making boat removal a job where having the right winch gear matters.
Got a boat that needs to leave Bloomington? Call 952-243-0735 for a free estimate.