Big cabin cruisers rarely get smaller while sitting in a driveway. A landlord in Herrin called us about a 28 ft Carver Riviera in burgundy and white that a previous tenant left behind. It sat on a double-axle trailer in a narrow side yard right next to the garage. The owner needed the property cleared before the next rental lease started.
Our crew pulled up with a winch truck and block gear. The biggest problem was a wooden side gate that gave us only three inches of clearance on each side of the trailer tires. We hooked a snatch block to a heavy tree trunk across the driveway, set guide boards along the fence line, and eased the trailer out inch by inch using controlled winch tension. Moving a heavy sterndrive through a gap that tight takes two workers spotting the tires while a third handles the cable feed. Once the trailer cleared the gate posts, we hitched it directly to our truck for transport.
We hauled the cruiser to our yard, stripped the cabin trim, and pulled the sterndrive for metal recycling. The empty fiberglass hull was cut into manageable pieces and brought to a landfill that takes heavy fiberglass waste. Large cabin cruisers over 20 feet are priced over the phone because the boat size and yard access dictate the heavy equipment we bring. Call us at 833-658-4847 to clear a vessel from your lot in Williamson County.
In our experience, Midwest winters wreck neglected cabin cruisers when trapped water freezes, splits the gelcoat, and rots the wood core inside the back of the hull. Before any hull recycling begins, we strip out hazardous materials like fuel, engine oil, and lead-acid batteries. We handle the paperwork by taking the title, or signing a release of liability so the vessel is officially off your name.
Quick facts from this job
| Boat | 28 ft Carver 28 Riviera cabin cruiser |
|---|---|
| Where it sat | Side yard next to the garage |
| Coverage area | Williamson County |
| Outcome | Fiberglass hull cut up and hauled to a landfill that takes it, metals recycled |
A composite, illustrative job from Williamson County, not one customer’s record. Photos show the situation, not the specific boat.
Boat removal questions from Herrin owners
How much does it cost to remove a boat?
Small boats on good trailers cost less, while large cabin cruisers stuck in tight yards require more labor and specialized gear. We look at the length, location, and condition to give you an honest price over the phone before we head out.
Can you take a boat to the junk yard?
Yes, our crew hauls old vessels away for complete disposal. We do not just drop a hull at a scrap yard. We strip out the metals for recycling and transport the remaining fiberglass structure directly to a landfill authorized to accept it.
Where our crews work around Herrin
Crews cover Williamson County: Marion, Carterville, Johnston City and Pittsburg. Early summer is a busy time for boat removal across Southern Illinois as property owners clear out yards and landlords prep rental homes for new occupants. Heavy spring rains often expose leaking hulls that are no longer worth saving.
Boat in Herrin that is not going back in the water? Call 833-658-4847 and we will walk you through it.
