The first thing I checked was the bilge. It smelled like sour varnish, which tells you the fuel went bad a couple of winters ago and nobody drained it. The marina office in Birmingham called us because this 22-foot fishing vessel was sitting at their dock taking up room while the slip fees kept piling up. The owner had moved away, the title was missing, and spring launched the busy season. We worked through the registration records, got the bill of sale set, and had the release of liability signed before we brought our truck down.
Getting that hull off the dock was tricky. The wooden walkway had loose, spongey boards, so there was no safe spot to stand a crew or set heavy rigging gear. Our crew pulled up, checked for hazardous fluids first, and pumped out the bad gas and the acid leaking from an old battery into sealed containers. Since the engine was dead, we hand-guided the boat through the slip, warped it down along the sea wall to the main ramp, and winched it right onto our trailer. When a boat sits in fresh water that long, the bunk carpets on the trailer turn to slick slime, so you have to double-strap the stern before you move a foot.
We brought the boat back to our yard to dismantle it properly. We salvage what is usable from the aluminum rails and stainless fittings for recycling, and the stripped fiberglass hull went to an approved disposal facility in Jefferson County. The marina got its slip back for paying customers, and the paperwork was cleared out completely. If you have non-running pontoon boats, jet skis, or junk boat setups tied up anywhere in Birmingham, call 205-729-7978.
Boat removal services, from the first photo to the last strap
Typically, we see hulls full of rainwater this time of year because April thunderstorms hit Birmingham almost every afternoon. Rainwater pools in the hull, which adds thousands of pounds of dead weight, rusts trailer frames from the inside out, and turns launch areas to deep mud. Before we issue an estimate, we ask for clear photos showing the hull condition, the tires and winch on the trailer, and the path out to the street.
The facts of the Birmingham job
| Job | Boat pickup by our crew |
|---|---|
| Boat | 2005 walkaround fishing boat, about 22 feet |
| Where it sat | In a marina space with a stack of overdue bills |
| Who called | A marina office that needed the space for the season |
| What was wrong | An old battery leaking and fuel in the bilge that smelled like varnish |
| Estimate | Estimate up front, no charge |
| Paperwork | Paperwork sorted first, release of liability signed |
| Area | Jefferson County, AL |
Composite example from Jefferson County, not one person’s job. The photos are illustrative.
What callers in Birmingham want to know
Can you get a boat out of my backyard?
Yes, we pull boats out of backyards across the city. Our crew handles non-running vessels stuck behind houses, off their trailers, or sitting on rotted blocks. As long as we have a path to back our trailer in or winch the boat out, we can tackle the boat removal process.
Can I get rid of a boat without title?
Yes, you can dispose of a vessel without a title. We assist property owners and marina operators with the required paperwork to confirm legal possession or abandoned status before boat removal. Once the release of liability and bill of sale are sorted, we proceed with the pickup and proper disposal.
Junk boat removal around Birmingham, AL
We pick up boats across Jefferson County, in Bessemer, Adamsville, Gardendale and Hueytown. Heavy afternoon thunderstorms in late spring constantly fill open boats with water, making an unwanted pontoon or sailboat much heavier to haul out. That extra weight can sink a tire deep into softened ground, so getting derelict vessels off waterfront properties early in the season keeps the job straightforward.
Ready to let the boat go in Birmingham? Call 205-729-7978 and we’ll walk you through it.