A homeowner in Richmond called us because she wanted her yard back for a vegetable garden. In the back corner sat an old 21-foot sloop on jack stands, with no trailer underneath it, blocking the sunny spot. It had been sitting long enough that the battery was leaking acid onto the floorboards, and the gas in the bilge smelled like old varnish.
Because the vessel was left behind by a previous owner, we made sure the right property owners signed off on the release of liability before we touched a tool. Getting it out was tricky with lawn soft from lawn sprinklers between the boat and the paved street. Our crew laid ground boards across the mud, rolled the vessel upright, blocked it safe, and backed our trailer underneath it. I checked the drain plug first. Water in a hull can add hundreds of pounds, and if you do not check the hazardous fluids before moving a boat, you end up sloshing gas and dirty water down a quiet residential street.
We strapped the fiberglass hull down with our trailer gear and hauled it out. At the yard, we salvage what is usable from the rigging, take out the metal for recycling, and bring the rest to an approved disposal facility. The yard was left clear for planting. If you have non-running or unwanted vessels sitting in Contra Costa County, call 866-994-1769 for your boat removal.
Boat removal services, from the first photo to the last strap
Typically, we check every frame before we load a heavy hull. In winter storms, an open cockpit collects hundreds of gallons of rain, and that weight can split an old deck or bend a light axle. When a boat trailer is part of the job, I always pull the grease caps off the hubs first. Rusted bearings and dry-rotted tires will lock up on the highway, so we fix those issues on site before moving any rig.
Richmond boat pickup, the short version
| Job | Boat removal and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1999 sloop, about 21 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 | An old battery leaking and fuel in the bilge that smelled like varnish |
| Estimate | Free estimate, photos helped |
| Paperwork | Paperwork sorted first, release of liability signed |
| Area | Contra Costa County, CA |
This is how a job like this usually runs in Contra Costa County. It is an example, not a customer file, and the photos are illustrative.
How pricing works for boat removal in Richmond
How does boat disposal, recycling & salvage work?
Our boat removal process starts with a free estimate based on photos of your vessel. After the release of liability is signed, our crew hauls the boat away. We drain all hazardous fluids, salvage metal or hardware that can be reused, and dismantle the remaining fiberglass for proper disposal.
Is boat removal free?
No, boat removal services are paid, starting at our $400 minimum service charge. The final pricing depends on the size of the boat, its location, whether it is on a dock, a marina, or blocks, and if we have to dismantle the hull before loading it on our trailer.
From storage lots to docks in Contra Costa County
We pick up boats across Contra Costa County, in Concord, Antioch, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. February weather brings rain that fills open hulls and softens the ground underneath them. A junk boat resting on wet dirt can sink into the mud, making boat removal much harder if the vessel is left out on the waterfront through the wet season.
Start with a free estimate: call 866-994-1769 about the boat in Richmond.