The owner bought this 25-foot sloop back in 2005, sailed it out of the harbor for a few seasons, and then set it on jack stands in his Aliso Viejo back yard. That was the last time it saw water. A couple called us in February because they were downsizing to a condo and needed the yard cleared. Rain had pooled inside for years, rotting the floor and pulling the transom away from the stringers.
A low power line crossed the driveway, so we could not bring in a high crane. Since the vessel had no trailer under it, our crew set ground plates, rolled the hull upright, blocked it safely, and slid our trailer right beneath the fiberglass. Before any winch moved, fluids were checked and drained so nothing leaked on the concrete. The property owner signed the release of liability when booking, and we checked his title against the hull number. The boat removal process went smooth without touching that wire overhead.
Anything salvageable went for recycling, usable hardware was set aside, and the remaining hull went to an authorized facility that handles vessel disposal. The owners kept their signed release form, leaving the side yard empty and clean. If you need boat removal in Aliso Viejo or anywhere in Orange County, call us at 949-528-8811.
What fifteen years of boat storage taught me
Usually, we see rain turn an open hull into a heavy bathtub, stretching the wood inside and swelling old fiberglass. In mild winter climates broken by heavy downpours, a non-running vessel sitting outside gets heavy fast. To speed up boat removal services on pickup day, clear away loose trash inside the cabin beforehand and make sure the path from the yard to the street stays open for our truck.
Our Aliso Viejo boat job on one page
| Job | Junk boat removal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 2005 sloop, about 25 feet |
| Where it sat | On jack stands in a back corner of the yard, no trailer under it |
| Who called | A couple downsizing to a condo with no room for a trailer |
| What was wrong | Soft spots across the floor and a transom that had pulled away from the stringers |
| Estimate | Free estimate before the date was set |
| Paperwork | Signed release of liability |
| Area | Orange County, CA |
Representative example of boat removal in Orange County, not a record of a single client. Pictures are illustrative.
Cost questions from Aliso Viejo, CA owners
Is boat removal free?
No, boat removal is a paid service with a $400 minimum service charge. The overall pricing depends on the size of the boat, where it sits, its condition, and if we must dismantle it. Send us photos for a clear upfront estimate before we start.
Do you handle hurricane-damaged boats?
Yes, we take storm-damaged boats, derelict hulls, and sunken or partially submerged vessels at docks, waterfront lots, or yards. Our crew brings our trailer, heavy winch gear, and straps to handle crushed, broken, or waterlogged hulls that cannot be towed on their own wheels.
Our boat removal service areas in Orange County
We pick up boats across Orange County, in Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Huntington Beach. Winter storms bring rain that collects in abandoned cockpits, adding thousands of pounds to a junk boat and weakening rotten decks. That extra water makes boat removal harder when a boat rests on soft dirt or tight side yards near the coast.
Got a boat that needs to leave Aliso Viejo? Call 949-528-8811 for a free estimate.