The first thing I looked for was the drain plug. An open boat sitting in the February rain gathers heavy water fast, but this 2005 mahogany utility boat had bigger problems. A sudden storm had lifted the 17 foot vessel off its resting spot and slammed it straight into a Fontana, CA backyard hedge. The homeowner called us after finding this stranger’s boat wedged tight in the branches, its non-running engine dead for years and a fuel line cracked straight through.
Because the title was long gone, we helped sort out the registration details and a bill of sale first. The property owner signed the release of liability when booking, which kept everything square before our crew backed in. Heavy wooden hulls take a beating in a storm, but the real trouble was the hedge wrapped around the hardware. I checked for loose fuel and oil before we moved a thing. Once the hazardous fluids were safe, we cleared the broken limbs, rolled the vessel upright, blocked the keel, and slid our trailer right beneath it.
Anything reusable on the boat was set aside for salvage, and the leftover frame went to a disposal facility that takes old hulls. We swept the driveway clean of wood chips and leaves before rolling out. If you have derelict vessels or unwanted boats blocking your yard in Fontana or anywhere in San Bernardino County, call 866-994-1769 for our boat removal services.
How our boat removal process really starts
Usually, we see rain turn dry leaves into heavy muck inside an open hull, doubling the weight before we even hook up. Mild winter weather in California tricks folks into leaving a vessel outside, but winter storms quickly fill the bilge. For an accurate free estimate, clear photos help us see what we are up against. Send clear shots of the hull condition, the tires on the trailer, and the path out to the street.
Boat disposal services in Fontana: how it went
| Job | Boat removal and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 2005 mahogany utility boat, about 17 feet |
| Where it sat | Tossed into a neighbor’s hedge by a storm |
| Who called | A homeowner after a storm put a stranger’s boat in the hedge |
| What was wrong | An engine that had not turned over in years and a fuel line cracked through |
| Estimate | Free estimate from the caller’s photos |
| Paperwork | Signed release of liability |
| Area | San Bernardino County, CA |
Shown as an example of our boat removal work in San Bernardino County; not a specific job record. Photos are illustrative only.
Fontana owners ask about boat removal
How does boat disposal, recycling & salvage work?
Our boat removal process starts with a free estimate based on photos of the vessel. After the release of liability is signed, our crew hauls the boat away. Useful metal is recycled, salvageable parts are removed, and the remaining hull goes to a licensed facility for proper disposal.
Can you get a boat out of my backyard?
Yes, our crew handles backyard boat removal, even in tight spaces. Pricing starts at a $400 minimum service charge and depends on the size of the vessel, where it sits, its condition, and if we have to dismantle it to get it out.
Junk boat removal around Fontana, CA
We pick up boats across San Bernardino County, in Apple Valley, Victorville, Hesperia and San Bernardino. Local wind and winter rain storms push light craft into fence lines or dump water into neglected decks, making a simple tow much heavier. We pull non-running craft from docks, yards, and storage lots across the area year-round.
Start with a free estimate: call 866-994-1769 about the boat in Fontana.