“Do I need the original title to get this off my property?” That was the first question the Esopus homeowner asked us. Her house was going up for sale, and an old 22 ft Godfrey Sweetwater 2086 pontoon boat sat along the tree line behind the lawn. It had a white hull with a faded navy blue stripe and an old outboard on the back. It had sat in the weeds for years, completely forgotten.
The main obstacle was the plywood floor. Moisture had rotted the wood so badly that stepping onto the deck meant falling through. Our crew could not walk on it to reach the front cleats. I used a long aluminum hook to run strap lines underneath the deck frame directly to the main aluminum tubes. We hooked the winch line to those straps and pulled the boat slowly out of the brush onto our flatbed trailer.
We hauled the pontoon away for proper disposal. Our crew stripped the outboard motor for scrap metal salvage, saved the trailer, and crushed the aluminum deck and tubes at a scrap yard. Boats over 20 feet are priced over the phone, because size and setting change the work. Call us at 833-658-4847 to clear out an old vessel anywhere in Ulster County.
In our experience, heavy winter snow loads crush old boat covers, letting rain soak deep into wood decks and floorboards. That trapped water goes through freeze and thaw cycles every winter, rotting the structure from the inside out. Before we haul any pontoon to a recycler, we drain all fuel and motor oil into catch pans and pull the battery to safely manage hazardous materials. We take the title, or we sign a release of liability so the boat is off your name.
The job at a glance
| Boat | 22 ft Godfrey Sweetwater 2086 pontoon boat |
|---|---|
| Where it sat | Tree line behind the house, half in the brush |
| Coverage area | Ulster County |
| Outcome | Engine and trailer salvaged, hull crushed at a scrap yard |
Shown as an example of how a job like this goes in Ulster County; not a record of a particular customer. Photos are illustrative.
Two questions we hear on jobs like this
What happens to my boat after removal?
We tow the boat to our processing area or a recycling center. We drain fuel, oil, and fluids first. We save reusable metal, engines, and parts, then break down the remaining hull material so it can go to a landfill or scrap facility.
Is my old boat worth anything?
Most old hulls that sit outside for years lose all resale value. Water damage ruins the floor, wiring degrades, and old engines lock up. While some metal parts have small scrap value, the cost to haul, dismantle, and dispose of the hull usually offsets any return.
Where our crews work around Esopus
Crews cover Ulster County: Ellenville, Kingston, Saugerties and New Paltz. Early summer brings a lot of boat removal requests from property owners getting their land ready for market. Years of rain, humidity, and winter weather leave neglected vessels stuck in the dirt, making professional cleanup necessary before a sale.
Ready to have your boat gone from Esopus? Call 833-658-4847 or use the estimate form.
