A homeowner in Mount Prospect called us because she wanted her yard back for a tomato garden. Sitting right where the sun hit best was a 1976 20-foot open-bow runabout on rusty jack stands, with no trailer underneath it. The windshield was cracked, the gelcoat had turned chalky white, and winter weather had split the vinyl seats down to the yellow foam.
Getting this non-running junk boat out meant working around a locked gate and a very narrow path along the house. Before moving the vessel, our crew drained the fuel tank and engine block so no hazardous fluids leaked onto the lawn. The owner signed the release of liability when booking, so all the paperwork was set. Since there were no tires to roll, we tipped the fiberglass hull upright, raised it with blocks, and backed our trailer straight beneath it.
We hauled the vessel to a facility equipped for proper disposal. We stripped the structural steel and aluminum for metal recycling, while the heavy fiberglass hull went to a designated landfill section. The lawn was left clear and ready for spring planting. If you have unwanted vessels sitting on your property in Cook County, call 866-994-1769.
Boat removal services, from the first photo to the last strap
Usually, we inspect the tires and wheel bearings on old boat trailers before we attempt any haul. Flat spots on the rubber mean a rig sat too long in one spot, while dry, rusty grease around the dust cap tells us the hubs will freeze up the moment they spin on the road.
Job summary: boat removal in Mount Prospect
| Job | Boat removal and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1976 open-bow runabout, about 20 feet |
| Where it sat | On jack stands in a back corner of the yard, no trailer under it |
| Who called | A homeowner who wanted the side yard back for a garden |
| What was wrong | Faded gelcoat, sun-split seats and a cracked windshield |
| Estimate | Estimate up front, no charge |
| Paperwork | Release of liability with the deposit |
| Area | Cook County, IL |
We tell this as a typical Cook County boat removal, not as a customer’s actual record. Photos are illustrations.
Cost questions from Mount Prospect, IL owners
Is boat removal free?
No, boat removal is a paid service. We provide a clear estimate up front at no charge before any work begins. Pricing starts at a $400 minimum service charge and varies depending on the size of the boat, its location, and if we must dismantle the hull.
How does boat disposal, recycling & salvage work?
Our licensed and insured team inspects the vessel for hazardous materials, draining all fuel, oils, and batteries first. Usable metal parts go to a scrap yard for recycling. The remaining hull materials are taken to an approved disposal facility that accepts large fiberglass structures.
Boat removal in Cook County and nearby towns
We pick up boats across Cook County, in Arlington Heights, Glenview, Des Plaines and Palatine. Deep cold changes the boat removal process in February. Water trapped inside a forgotten hull freezes into heavy ice, while snowdrifts around a yard obscure hidden stumps and make maneuvering heavy equipment much harder for our crew.
Call 866-994-1769 with the boat’s size, where it sits and whether it has a trailer, and we’ll take it from there in Mount Prospect.