Scrapping A Boat

They always say the two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it. Funny part is nobody ever says it is the day you scrap it. Scrapping a boat is a tedious task that takes precision know how, but, generally, is the only way to get anything out of your boat either after a storm that has damaged it, or it is just to old to be seaworthy and needs to go.

Just like cars and trucks, boats require proof of ownership before unloading in a scrap yard. It does not matter if the boat still runs or if it is full of holes and sinks as soon as it is placed on the water, you need some proof of ownership.

Also just like a car, there are only certain parts of a boat you can scrap, especially recreational boats.

Personal recreational boats are worth a lot especially aluminum bodied boats.

Fiberglass boats are also worth money but most scrap yards prefer that you only bring in the metal parts and pieces from these types of boats.

There is no real aftermarket for used fiberglass, and scrap yards don’t want it either. Scrapping a boat isn’t for those who are not used to getting their hands dirty.

Just like a car, you might try selling the boat out right to someone before scrapping it. Scrapping will be labor intensive and most likely won’t yield as much as you think.

Though, the sum of the parts when removed properly can be worth the effort, especially if the boat is torn apart already, and won’t require massive deconstruction.

Many boats have parts on them that are made of brass and titanium. Be sure to separate these metal types from the rest of the boat scrap if they are found within the boat. Both are highly valuable scrap metals.

Most of those metals are found in the engine, and the trim of the boat. It really just depends on the type of boat, year make and model.

Start with the engine, the interior piping and flushing systems, and then of course all ancillirary items like the anchor and so on.