When we pulled up to the property in World Golf Village, FL, the sea-foam green hull was sticking out of the brush behind the house. It was a 20 foot Chaparral Sunesta deck boat with an outboard motor and severe gelcoat oxidation. A home builder bought the lot and needed the vessel gone before the heavy equipment arrived.
The vessel sat deep in the tree line. Getting our winch line to the bow eye meant cutting away wild vines and sweetgum saplings first. Our crew hooked the trailer, but pulling it out meant backing up a steep driveway and turning onto a very narrow street. We used a snatch block to change the pull angle, slowly bringing the trailer up the slope without scraping the pavement or the neighbor’s mailbox.
Our crew hauled the rig away and salvaged the outboard motor along with useful metal from the trailer frame. The ruined fiberglass hull went to a scrap facility to be crushed for proper disposal. Boats over 20 feet are priced over the phone, because size and setting change the work. If you have an unwanted vessel in St. Johns County, call 833-658-4847.
In our experience, vessels left in the Florida sun lose value fast as summer storms fill the floor and cause heavy algae growth. Before we haul any craft for scrap or recycling, our crew pumps out remaining fuel, removes the crankcase oil, and disconnects the lead-acid battery to control hazardous materials. When you hand the boat over, we take the signed title or complete a release of liability.
Job notes
| Boat | 20 ft Chaparral Sunesta 200 deck boat |
|---|---|
| Where it sat | Tree line behind the house, half in the brush |
| Coverage area | St. Johns County |
| Outcome | Engine and trailer salvaged, hull crushed at a scrap yard |
A composite, illustrative job from St. Johns County, not one customer’s record. Photos show the situation, not the specific boat.
Two questions we hear on jobs like this
Is my old boat worth anything?
Most old fiberglass hulls have zero cash value because recycling them costs money. If the outboard motor, stainless hardware, or trailer are still usable, our salvage crew can offset some of the transport costs. We assess the condition of the vessel when you call us.
What if my boat is on a trailer?
We can tow the rig directly if the trailer tires hold air and the axle turns freely. If the frame is rusted through or the wheels are frozen, we load the whole setup onto our flatbed. You do not need to buy new tires for us to remove it.
Where our crews work around World Golf Village
Crews cover St. Johns County: St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Nocatee and Fruit Cove. June heat and sudden afternoon rainstorms force many property owners to clean up their yards. Land buyers and developers in this region often discover old hulls hidden in dense tree lines when site preparation begins.
If a boat like this is taking up space in World Golf Village, call 833-658-4847. Tell us the length and where it sits.
