A trailer tells you how long a vessel has been sitting before you even look at the deck. When I stepped up to this 23-foot pontoon in La Crosse, the trailer tires were sunk four inches into the dirt driveway and the leaf springs were rusted into one solid chunk of metal. A couple called us because they were moving to a condo downtown and the home buyers wanted the yard clear. They had a faded bimini top flapping in the April breeze and a non-running boat they had not launched in six years.
Getting a derelict pontoon off a waterfront lot takes a plan. Before we hooked up, our crew checked for hazardous fluids and found an old battery leaking acid into a tub and half a tank of fuel that smelled like old varnish. We pumped the tank dry and pulled the battery so nothing would spill on the grass. The title was missing, so we helped them gather the registration and a bill of sale to prove ownership, while the release of liability was signed by the owner during booking. Since the lawn was soft from lawn sprinklers and spring rain, we used our own gear and heavy plastic pads to roll our rig past the soft spots without tearing up the turf. We winch-loaded the vessel onto our trailer and strapped it down tight.
The boat traveled whole to a salvage facility. Our crew stripped off the aluminum pontoon tubes and clean metal for recycling, while the rotten plywood deck and foam went to a proper disposal site. We raked the driveway flat, picked up two loose straps, and left the dirt looking neat. If you have unwanted vessels sitting in La Crosse or anywhere in La Crosse County, call 866-994-1769 for a boat removal estimate.
What I check first on every boat
Typically, we see hulls come out of storage after the spring thaw in Wisconsin with deep cracks from ice expansion. Rain fills every low pocket, making a heavy fiberglass hull or pontoon deck weigh twice what it should. Having the property owners sign a release of liability before our crew winches any junk boat protects everyone if a rotted frame gives out during loading. Our team knows how to secure weak frames before pulling them onto our trailer.
What this boat removal in La Crosse, WI involved
| Job | Boat removal with salvage and recycling |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1990 pontoon boat, about 23 feet |
| Where it sat | On a trailer at the end of a long dirt driveway |
| Who called | A couple downsizing to a condo with no room for a trailer |
| What was wrong | An old battery leaking and fuel in the bilge that smelled like varnish |
| Estimate | Free estimate, photos helped |
| Paperwork | Paperwork sorted first, release of liability signed |
| Area | La Crosse County, WI |
Composite example from La Crosse County, not one person’s job. The photos are illustrative.
Questions about boat disposal in La Crosse, WI
Do you handle hurricane-damaged boats?
Yes, we remove storm-damaged vessels from docks, yards, and storage lots. Our crew brings the equipment needed to haul broken hulls, cracked fiberglass, and wrecked pontoon boats after heavy storms, making sure the wreck is winched up safely without damaging your property.
Are your haulers in La Crosse licensed and insured?
Yes, our crew is fully licensed and insured for boat removal and transport. We handle the loading, towing, and hazardous fluid checks using our own trucks and trailers, so you do not have to worry about injury or property damage during the job.
Where we remove boats near La Crosse, WI
We pick up boats across La Crosse County, in Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem and Bangor. Spring rain and melting snow fill bare bilges with hundreds of pounds of water, turning a dry vessel into a mud-caked weight that sinks deep into soft soil. We bring pads and winches to pull heavy hulls out of muddy yards before the tires sink to the axles.
Want the yard or the slip back in La Crosse? Call 866-994-1769 and our crew will plan the pickup.