The photos the farmer sent from Capital showed a mossy aluminum deck sitting in tall grass, but they missed the deep mud along the fence line and the frozen creek bed you had to cross to get behind the barn. He bought the land last fall and found this 22-foot pontoon boat upside down in the weeds when he cleared the brush. It was a 1976 model with a rotted bimini top and a non-running outboard motor attached to the transom.
Since the vessel was not his, we helped sort out the right property owners to sign the release of liability before our crew rolled in. In the February cold of Illinois, the boat sat frozen to the earth. We checked the fuel tank and cracked fuel line first to make sure no hazardous fluids would leak into the soil. With that clear, our crew rigged lines, rolled the vessel upright, blocked the frame, and backed our trailer straight under the deck. A rusted trailer axle will freeze solid in a damp field, so having our own haul rig ready saved hours of winching.
We hauled the pontoon away for dismantling and proper disposal. Usable hardware went to salvage, the metal deck went for recycling, and the crushed hull debris went to a licensed facility. The farmer kept his signed receipt and clear land, leaving his farm track open for spring planting. If you have an unwanted vessel anywhere in Sangamon County, call us at 217-589-8733.
How our boat removal process really starts
Typically, we see deep winter frost turn trapped rainwater into solid ice inside a fiberglass hull, adding hundreds of pounds to the load. That ice locks up wheel bearings on old boat trailers until the tires drag. Before our crew arrives, clearing a straight five-foot path through brush and disconnecting battery cables speeds up our boat removal process.
The facts of the Capital job
| Job | Boat removal and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1976 pontoon boat, about 22 feet |
| Where it sat | Upside down in a field behind a barn |
| Who called | A farmer who found it when he cleared the fence line |
| What was wrong | An engine that had not turned over in years and a fuel line cracked through |
| Estimate | Estimate up front, no charge |
| Paperwork | Release of liability with the deposit |
| Area | Sangamon County, IL |
Shown as an example of our boat removal work in Sangamon County; not a specific job record. Photos are illustrative only.
What boat removal costs in Capital, IL
Is boat removal free?
No. Boat removal is a paid service. Our pricing starts at a $400 minimum service charge. Total cost depends on vessel size, location, condition, and if we must dismantle it. We offer a free estimate first based on your photos, but the actual pickup and removal carry a fee.
Are your haulers in Capital licensed and insured?
Yes. Our boat removal team carries full licensing and insurance for every job we handle in Capital. We bring our own truck, trailer, and winch gear to load your boat, pontoon, or jet ski safely without putting any risk or extra labor on you or your property.
Junk boat removal around Capital, IL
We pick up boats across Sangamon County, in Springfield, Chatham, Auburn and Riverton. Deep freeze winter weather seals derelict boats directly into the frozen mud and packs snow around the hull. That bitter cold makes plastic fittings brittle, locks rusted winch drums, and turns a simple pull into a slow job requiring heavy gear.
Send a few photos or call 217-589-8733, and we will price your boat removal in Capital.