Do you have all the papers you need for a boat that sat ten years? That was the first thing the homeowner asked when she phoned our office. She and her husband were packing up their place in Bloomington, IL to move into a condo, but this 25 foot sloop on its trailer was blocking the side yard behind a padlocked gate. It had a non-running inboard motor with a cracked fuel line, and a low power line ran right over the driveway.
Before our crew moved the vessel, we sat down at their kitchen table to sort out the old title documents and sign the release of liability. My guys checked for hazardous fluids and drained the fuel tank so nothing leaked during the boat removal process. Getting that mast cleared under the overhead power wire took two spotters. I could tell right off the wheel bearings had seized up from winter moisture, so instead of towing the derelict rig on its own rotten tires, we winched the whole assembly straight onto our trailer and used heavy straps to bind it fast.
We took the junk boat apart at our lot. Anything usable was salvaged, steel hardware went to metal recycling, and the fiberglass hull was hauled off to a licensed facility for proper disposal. The property owners got a clean yard for their home sale, and we left the grass swept up. If you have unwanted vessels sitting around McLean County, call us at 309-893-9007.
What fifteen years of boat storage taught me
Typically, we check the condition of trailer tires and grease seals before moving any boat. If a wheel hub feels rough or shows red rust around the dust cap, those bearings are shot and the axle will lock up on the road. Deep freeze winters freeze trapped bilge water, splitting old fiberglass seams and locking up mechanical parts. That is why our crew carries extra winches to haul full rigs safely.
Our Bloomington boat job on one page
| Job | Boat removal and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1976 sloop, about 25 feet |
| Where it sat | On a trailer along the side of a house, behind a locked gate |
| Who called | A couple downsizing to a condo with no room for a trailer |
| What was wrong | An engine that had not turned over in years and a fuel line cracked through |
| Estimate | Free estimate from the caller’s photos |
| Paperwork | Signed release of liability |
| Area | McLean County, IL |
This is how a job like this usually runs in McLean County. It is an example, not a customer file, and the photos are illustrative.
Questions about boat disposal in Bloomington, IL
Can you take a boat to a junkyard or salvage yard?
Yes, we handle complete boat removal and disposal. Our crew pulls the vessel from your dock, yard, or marina, checks for fluids, and takes it to a proper disposal or salvage facility. You get a clear space without making extra trips yourself.
Do you handle hurricane-damaged boats?
Yes, we do boat removal for damaged craft, including storm-damaged hulls on waterfront property, sunken craft, or vessels smashed off their blocks. We bring specialized gear to lift, load, and dispose of the wreckage safely.
Boat removal and disposal near Bloomington
We pick up boats across McLean County, in Normal, Heyworth, Downs and Chenoa. March in Illinois brings thaw cycles that fill old hulls with water, making a pontoon or sailboat far heavier to pull out than it was in summer. Cold weather also makes frozen soil cling to flat bottoms, so our crew plans every boat removal with heavy winches ready.
Got a boat that needs to leave Bloomington? Call 309-893-9007 for a free estimate.