The moment that tired trailer finally rolled out of the St. Cloud snow, everyone on the driveway took a breath. A couple downsizing to a condo had called our crew to clear an 18-foot 1970 open-bow runabout sitting in an estate yard. The family was settling the place, but relatives’ cars and a large moving truck blocked the drive, leaving us a narrow slot to haul the junk boat clear.
Before touch, we sorted the paperwork. The vessel belonged to the estate, so we verified who had legal authority to sign the release of liability at booking. Once cleared, we checked the hull for hazardous fluids. The old battery was leaking acid, and the bilge held fuel that smelled like ancient varnish. Our crew drained the tank, pulled the battery, and prepped the boat for the road. The trailer hubs were iced shut, a classic Minnesota winter headache, but we freed the wheels, winched the rig onto our trailer, and strapped it down tight.
Metal parts and the engine went for salvage to be recycled, while the non-usable fiberglass hull was taken to an approved disposal facility. The owners got a clean yard and a signed receipt showing the boat was off their hands. If you have unwanted vessels on your property in St. Cloud or Stearns County, call us at 320-318-2661 for your boat removal.
Why we look for leaks before anything else
Typically, we see sub-zero cold freeze trapped hull water into solid ice blocks, adding hundreds of pounds and locking up wheel bearings. Cold weather turns aged fiberglass brittle, so winching requires slow pressure. Signing the release of liability before our trailer pulls away protects property owners from future claims once the boat removal process transfers custody to us.
What this boat removal in St. Cloud, MN involved
| Job | Boat pickup by our crew |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1970 open-bow runabout, about 18 feet |
| Where it sat | On a trailer in the yard of an estate the family was settling |
| 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 | Signed release of liability |
| Area | Stearns County, MN |
Illustrative case from Stearns County. It does not describe a particular customer, and the photos are examples.
Cost questions from St. Cloud, MN owners
Can you remove a boat that is in the water?
Yes, we haul out non-running and derelict boats from a dock, marina, or waterfront location. Sunken or partially submerged vessels are pumped out or secured before we load them onto our trailer for proper disposal.
How much does boat removal cost in St. Cloud?
Our boat removal services start at a $400 minimum service charge. Final pricing depends on the size of the boat, where it sits, its condition, and if we must dismantle it. We provide a free estimate from your photos before booking.
Where we remove boats near St. Cloud, MN
We pick up boats across Stearns County, in St. Augusta, Rockville, Waite Park and St. Joseph. Deep winter frost freezes tires into the dirt, meaning our licensed and insured crew must thaw or break the ground around the tires before hauling a pontoon or sailboat out of a yard.
Ready to let the boat go in St. Cloud? Call 320-318-2661 and we’ll walk you through it.