A small aluminum jon boat will sit on a trailer for ten years without asking for a thing. This 14 ft white Lowe with a faded navy stripe sat on a gravel driveway beside a house in Bay City. The owner bought a newer craft and needed that space back. He called our crew to handle the boat removal.
We backed our truck up to the trailer, but wasps had built a large nest under the steering console. Before we could hitch up or secure the small outboard, we had to clear the insects with spray and wait them out. Once the area was clear, we checked the tires on the single axle trailer. They held enough air for a low speed tow, so we hooked up the safety chains and strapped the hull down tight.
We brought the craft to our yard to inspect the aluminum hull. The metal was still sound with no cracks, so we sold it to a repair yard for reuse instead of taking it to a scrap recycling facility. Our price sheet lists boats under 20 feet at about $75 a foot. If you need boat removal in Bay County, call us at 833-658-4847.
We often see aluminum hulls survive Michigan winters better than fiberglass, but left outdoors, freezing water still damages internal fittings and transom boards. Rain accumulates, freezes, and expands against the transom wood inside the metal casing. Before any hull leaves our hands for salvage or scrap, our crew drains all fuel and engine oil and removes the battery. We handle the paperwork by taking the title or signing a release of liability.
Case summary
| Boat | 14 ft Lowe 1448 jon boat |
|---|---|
| Where it sat | Gravel driveway beside the house |
| Coverage area | Bay County |
| Outcome | Sold to a repair yard because the hull was still sound |
This is an illustrative case built from the kind of work we do in Bay County, not a record of one customer’s job. The photos are illustrative as well.
What Bay City boat owners ask us
Is my old boat worth anything?
Most old boats have little resale value due to age and condition. If the hull is sound or the motor runs, a salvage yard or repair shop might buy it. Otherwise, the value is in the scrap metal after our crew handles the haul and labor.
What happens to my boat after removal?
We drain all hazardous materials like fuel and oil first. Sound boats or working parts go to repair yards for reuse. Usable metal goes to a recycling plant, while stripped fiberglass hulls go to a landfill that accepts them for proper disposal.
Boat removal throughout Bay County
Crews cover Bay County: Essexville, Auburn and Pinconning. In June, local boat owners often clear out older aluminum craft and skiffs to make room for the summer fishing season. Heavy snows from the previous winter often push owners to finally dispose of unused craft.
If a boat like this is taking up space in Bay City, call 833-658-4847. Tell us the length and where it sits.
