The first thing I looked at on that 23-foot wakeboard boat was the drain plug. In an Ankeny overflow lot in February, if ice fills the hull, you are trying to move a block of frozen concrete. Water had backed up and turned to solid ice inside, but the hull was intact. An HOA board member called us after sending three warning letters to the owner. The motor was non-running, the fuel line was cracked clean through, and snow was packed around the trailer tires.
Working around strict HOA lot hours, our crew came in right on schedule. Before we hooked up, we checked for fuel and oil leaks so no hazardous fluids spilled onto the lot. The old trailer had locked bearings, so we bypassed it, pulling the entire rig onto our trailer and securing it with heavy straps. The property owner signed the release of liability before we pulled out, clearing the association of any further trouble with the derelict vessel.
We brought the boat in for dismantling and disposal. Clean metal and reusable mechanical hardware went for salvage and recycling, while the useless fiberglass hull went to an approved facility that takes old boats. The board got their parking spot back, and the neighborhood had one less eyesore. If you have unwanted vessels on your waterfront or lot in Ankeny or Polk County, call our team at 866-994-1769.
How the boat removal process works on our jobs
Typically, we see trailer wheel bearings freeze up completely during Iowa winters, making a standard tow impossible without custom equipment. Cold weather cracks old fiberglass fast once trapped water expands. When dismantling a boat, we sort out high-grade metal, bronze fittings, and usable hardware for recycling and salvage, while contaminated foam and raw fiberglass must go to regular solid waste disposal.
Job summary: boat removal in Ankeny
| Job | Removal, recycling and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1980 wakeboard boat, about 23 feet |
| Where it sat | On a trailer in an HOA overflow lot |
| Who called | An HOA board member who had sent three letters already |
| What was wrong | An engine that had not turned over in years and a fuel line cracked through |
| Estimate | Free estimate before the date was set |
| Paperwork | Release of liability signed at booking |
| Area | Polk County, IA |
Shown as an example of our boat removal work in Polk County; not a specific job record. Photos are illustrative only.
What boat removal costs in Ankeny, IA
Do you handle hurricane-damaged boats?
Yes, we remove storm-damaged and sunken vessels from docks, yards, and marinas. Our crew inspects the hull for structural damage and checks for hazardous fluid leaks before lifting or hauling the boat away on our trailer.
Is boat removal free?
No, boat removal is a paid junk removal service. We provide a free estimate up front based on boat size, location, and condition, with a $400 minimum service charge for every pickup job we handle.
Boat removal and disposal near Ankeny
We pick up boats across Polk County, in Johnston, Altoona, Bondurant and Pleasant Hill. Midwest winter storms bring heavy snow packs and sub-zero freeze cycles that crack open gelcoats and freeze boat hulls to the ground. That freeze makes quick boat removal services vital before spring thaw causes further property damage or drainage issues.
Got a boat that needs to leave Ankeny? Call 866-994-1769 for a free estimate.