The rusted trailer under the Hobie 16 had two flat tires and a frozen axle. It sat near the driveway, useless for hauling the 16 ft sailboat up from the shore. The owner was listing the Commerce house for sale and needed the white and teal fiberglass catamaran gone before the photos were taken.
Our crew brought a heavy ramps setup and our own double-axle trailer to tow it out safely. We hooked a line to the frame of the Hobie, winched it off the private lake dock, and pulled it up the grassy slope without digging into the lawn. Before we strapped it down, we pumped five gallons of varnish-smelling gas out of an old portable fuel tank the owner had stored inside one of the hull hatches.
We hauled the sailboat off the property that same morning. The fiberglass was still dry and sound, so we sold the boat to a repair yard for parts and restoration instead of cutting it up for disposal. Our price sheet lists boats under 20 feet at about $75 a foot. Call 833-658-4847 if you need a boat hauled away in Oakland County.
In our experience, water trapped inside a hull during Michigan winter freezes and thaws, splitting the outer coating and softening the wood inside the back of the boat. Heavy snow also crushes frame rails if a trailer sits unmaintained outside. We always pump out old fuel, drain the crankcase oil, and disconnect the battery for proper disposal before taking any hull for recycling.
Quick facts from this job
| Boat | 16 ft Hobie 16 catamaran sailboat |
|---|---|
| Where it sat | Private lake dock |
| Coverage area | Oakland County |
| Outcome | Sold to a repair yard because the hull was still sound |
A composite, illustrative job from Oakland County, not one customer’s record. Photos show the situation, not the specific boat.
Boat removal questions from Commerce owners
Can you remove a boat that is in the water?
Yes, we pull boats directly out of the water at a dock, slip, or marina. Our crew uses heavy winches and tow lines to bring floating hulls onto our trailer, even if the boat does not have a working motor or its own trailer.
Do I need a title to have my boat removed?
No, you do not always need a title. If you have the clear title, we take it during the pickup. If the paperwork is missing, we sign a release of liability form with you so the boat is officially off your name.
Removing boats across Oakland County
Crews cover Oakland County: Troy, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills and Novi. Late spring and early summer bring many boat owners calling for boat removal when preparing homes for sale. Old sailboats and runabouts left at seasonal lake docks often need quick haul-out work before buyers inspect the waterfront properties.
Have a boat like this in Commerce? Call 833-658-4847 or send a few photos, and we will tell you what it takes.
