The first thing I looked at was the ground under the pontoon logs. A dark patch of battery acid had eaten into the concrete, and the bilge drain smelled like four-year-old gasoline that had turned to varnish. A storage facility owner in Fort Wayne called us after eighteen months of chasing a tenant who stopped paying rent on the bay. The 21-foot vessel sat on an old dual-axle rig with rotten tires, tucked deep inside a covered storage space.
Before we backed up, our crew checked for hazardous fluids and trapped oil so nothing spilled on the property. The hard part was the aisle out front, which gave us about two inches of clearance on either side of our trailer. Once the liability paperwork was signed by the property owner, we used heavy dollies to pivot the stern into the alley. I noticed the winch stand bow-stop was rusted clean through the frame, a common trick on pontoon trailers that have sat through five Indiana winters without fresh grease. We winched the vessel straight onto our trailer, double-strapped the aluminum deck, and towed it clear without scratching the yellow storage doors.
The battery and fuel were drained for safe processing. Usable hardware and metal from the hull were salvaged, while the rotten plywood deck and vinyl went for proper disposal at an Allen County facility. The storage owner got his bay back to rent to a paying customer. If you have an unwanted vessel sitting in Fort Wayne, call 260-527-7483.
How the boat removal process works on our jobs
Usually, we bring heavy ramps and extra blocks when a boat sits in deep mud or frozen snow. In March weather around Fort Wayne, drain holes freeze shut and trap hundreds of pounds of ice inside the hull, which snaps light trailer axles the moment you roll them. Having the release of liability completed before the haul keeps property owners clear of old lien disputes or abandoned title claims.
Boat disposal services in Fort Wayne: how it went
| Job | Boat pickup by our crew |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1999 pontoon boat, about 21 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 | An old battery leaking and fuel in the bilge that smelled like varnish |
| Estimate | Free estimate from the caller’s photos |
| Paperwork | Signed release of liability |
| Area | Allen County, IN |
Shown as an example of our boat removal work in Allen County; not a specific job record. Photos are illustrative only.
Boat removal in Fort Wayne: questions and answers
Can you remove a boat that is in the water?
Yes, we remove vessels right from a dock, slip, or shoreline, including sunken or storm-damaged craft. Our crew pulls the boat from the water, secures the hull on our trailer, and handles the boat removal process from the waterfront directly to the disposal facility.
How do I get rid of my boat?
Send us photos of the vessel and its location so we can provide an upfront estimate. Once you approve the pricing and sign the paperwork, our crew comes to your property with our trailer, checks for hazardous leaks, and hauls the boat away for dismantling and recycling.
Boat removal in Allen County and nearby towns
We pick up boats across Allen County, in New Haven, Huntertown, Leo-Cedarville and Woodburn. Early spring freezing thaws trap water inside fiberglass and pontoon tubes, adding sudden weight to non-running craft and locking up trailer wheel bearings right when you need to clear space on your land.
Send a few photos or call 260-527-7483, and we will price your boat removal in Fort Wayne.