The shared asphalt running down the side of that Canton duplex left maybe eight inches on either side of our truck mirrors. A property manager called us in January because his former tenant moved out and left an old 19-foot open-bow runabout sitting on a flat tire in the snow behind the back porch. The neighbor in the front unit needed his parking spot back, and winter was not doing the boat any favors.
When a vessel sits that long, you check the drain plug and the bilge before you even touch a winch. Old fuel smelled like cheap varnish inside the engine box, and a cracked battery was leaking acid right near the transom. We checked for hazardous fluids first to keep anything from spilling onto the property. Since the caller owned the duplex but not the boat, we made sure the right owner signed the release of liability before we backed in. Our crew pumped the nasty gas into approved cans, hooked up our trailer, and walked the junk boat down that tight driveway step by step. When trailer bearings freeze up from sitting in Michigan mud, you do not force them or you tear up the pavement.
We brought the boat back to our shop for disposal. Metal fittings were removed so steel and aluminum could be recycled, and any usable hardware was salvaged. The rest went straight to a regulated facility for proper disposal. The manager kept his signed receipt, and the snow-covered yard was completely clear. If you have unwanted vessels sitting around Canton or Wayne County, give us a call at 734-441-9417.
When we take a boat apart and when we don’t
Usually, we see hull drains plug up right before a hard frost hits Michigan. Trapped bilge water freezes, expands, and splits the fiberglass hull along the stringers, making the vessel far heavier and messier to move. Before our trailer pulls out, the owner signs the liability paperwork so there is no confusion later about who authorized the boat removal or who owns the scrap.
The Canton, MI boat removal in brief
| Job | Removal, recycling and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1970 open-bow runabout, about 19 feet |
| Where it sat | On a trailer behind a rental duplex |
| Who called | A property manager whose tenant left the boat behind |
| What was wrong | An old battery leaking and fuel in the bilge that smelled like varnish |
| Estimate | Free estimate, photos helped |
| Paperwork | Release of liability signed at booking |
| Area | Wayne County, MI |
This story is an illustrative example of boat removal in Wayne County, not a record of one customer’s job. Photos are illustrative.
Cost questions from Canton, MI owners
How do I get rid of my boat?
You start by taking a few photos of the boat where it sits and sending them to us. We review the location, calculate an upfront estimate, and set a date. Our crew comes out with our trailer, handles the full boat removal process, and takes the vessel away for responsible disposal.
How much does boat removal cost in Canton?
Our pricing starts at a $400 minimum service charge for basic boat removal. The total price changes based on the size of the boat, where it sits on your property, its condition, and whether our crew has to dismantle or cut up the hull to haul it out safely.
Boats we pick up across Wayne County, MI
We pick up boats across Wayne County, in Detroit, Livonia, Romulus and Dearborn. Sub-zero temperatures mean ice bonds boat trailers to the frozen ground and turns old tires brittle. Snow buries hidden yard obstacles, so getting non-running vessels off waterfront properties or out of backyard storage takes extra care during a winter boat removal job.
For boat removal and disposal in Canton, call 734-441-9417 or ask for an estimate online.