Do you have an old boat? Are you wondering how to get rid of an old fiberglass boat? Do not worry! Let me provide safe and legal solution for you.
You may want to get rid of an old fiberglass boat if it’s not worth the labor or money to restore it. Old fiberglass boats are very brittle, and it may cost more to have them restored than the cost of a new fiberglass boat.
Fiberglass boats do not break down easily, and they should last for a long time if you take care of them. However, some fiberglass boats can be considered trash because they are beyond repair or don’t even run at all anymore.
Has an old fiberglass boat taking up space in your yard? Wondering what to do with it? I’ll show you how to get rid of an old fiberglass boat
Contents
When is the right time to get rid of the old fiberglass boats?
1. You can’t find replacement parts for your old fiberglass boat
Fiberglass is a strong and durable material that makes it perfect for boat building. Unfortunately, fiberglass is quite heavy and can be quite costly to produce, making it difficult to procure the materials needed to build your own boat.
If you can’t find replacement parts for your old fiberglass boat, you need to get rid of it.
While fiberglass boats are long-lasting, and some might argue even better than their fiberglass counterparts, fiberglass boats need to be maintained. Owners of fiberglass boats need to make sure they have a set of tools on hand in case repairs are to be made.
2. Your fiberglass boat starts to have leaks
It’s important to get rid of your fiberglass boat if you suspect there are leaks.
If you notice that the same spots on your hull always seem to collect water, you may be able to fix the problem by re-bedding the fiberglass, but if the leak is happening all over, it’s likely that the fiberglass beneath your paint is cracked or broken.
3. The cost of maintaining an old boat is becoming very expensive
Old boats are a lot of work. As time passes, the price of maintaining them goes up more and more. If you don’t give those costs some thought beforehand, you may find yourself in a difficult situation in the future.
The cost of maintaining an old boat is becoming very expensive, and so it would be cost-effective to find a way to extend its life.
4. It’s not safe to use anymore
If you have an old boat that’s made of fiberglass, it’s important to know when it becomes unsafe for use. Oftentimes, the composite materials used in fiberglass boats are not stable and are unable to support the weight.
If you have an old fiberglass boat that is no longer safe to use, you need to find a way to get rid of it
How to get rid of an old fiberglass boat
1. Donate it
Old fiberglass boats are a big problem for people who live along the coast and would like to enjoy their time on the beach as much as possible.
However, many people don’t have the resources or know-how to get rid of the old boat from the backyard. If you have an old boat and want to get rid of it without having to get rid of it yourself, consider giving it away to someone who will put it to better use.
Donating your old fiberglass boat is a great way to help someone in the local community.
There are so many people out there that have limited budgets that would be unable to purchase a boat otherwise, so when you donate your fiberglass boat, you’re really giving them something they cannot otherwise afford.
That way you preserve the environment and do something good for the charities.
2. Sell it
Selling an old boat can be quite tricky.
It is important to have good photos of the boat taken from different angles. You’ll also have to write a good ad, describing the boat and what features it has.
It is important to describe the quality of the boat and mention any damages such as holes or tearings in the cover, etc.
All you need to do is advertise your old fiberglass boat and then wait for a buyer. Usually, you’ll be able to get rid of it pretty quickly.
If you want to sell it, place a classified advertisement on local newspapers, Facebook, or Craigslist. You may also need to create a website wherein people can go look at the details of the fiberglass boat you are selling.
Note that there will be a lot less interest in fiberglass boats as that type of boat becomes more and more obsolete.
3. Auction it
One of the most fun and exciting ways to make money is by selling your old boat.
If you’re selling a refurbished boat of any kind, then you may be able to get more money if you auction it.
You can try to find a buyer yourself, which can be difficult and hard work due to the unpredictability. You can auction your boat online instead, which is a great platform for bringing potential buyers into one area and enables you to sell your boat with ease.
4. Recycle it
Recycling a boat is an amazing way to get some use out of an old fiberglass boat. It’s also an excellent way to make sure that waste materials are disposed of properly, by having them remade into new products.
If you want to get rid of an old fiberglass boat, call a local recycling center, and set up a pickup time. After recycling the old boats, they can use the recycled materials to make new boats and other products.
By recycling fiberglass boats, you are helping keep our environment clean and healthy for future generations.
5. Call the local government service
If you live in a city that offers to recycle, try contacting the government service to find out about getting rid of any old material you may have lying around. Get in touch with your local government to find disposal instructions for your boat.
How you get rid of it depends on your local laws, but a good place to start is with the local department of public works.
6. Take it to the scrapyard
A common way to get rid of a fiberglass boat is to take it to the scrapyard, where they will recycle the plastic and perhaps even melt down the metal that’s inside.
Old fiberglass boat might still be worth something at the scrapyard if it has restorable parts or useful components.
It’s important that you understand how to get rid of an old boat. You can’t just dump it in the middle of a waterway. That could attract burglars and thieves. That’s why you should take it to the scrapyard and get rid of it there.
What you should never do to an old fiberglass boat
1. Burn it
Burning a boat is not an option. It is not only illegal, it’s also a bad idea from an environmental point of view. The flame from the fire can have an adverse effect on the environment, and it could spread to the rest of your house.
Also, boat burning is a dangerous waste disposal method that releases toxic gases into the atmosphere which can damage the ozone layer.
2. Abandon your boat
It’s true that fiberglass boats don’t generally last for ages, and tend to disintegrate pretty quickly. However, you shouldn’t get rid of your old fiberglass boat by just abandoning it somewhere.
Never leave your boat abandoned on the shoreline. It’s not environmentally friendly and it’s a safety hazard.
Never just abandon it and expect it to magically disappear.
3. Sink it
Sinking a boat isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s also a serious crime.
Sinking a boat with the intent of disposing of it permanently can be devastating to ecosystems because fiberglass is difficult to digest and toxic. It’s impossible to clean up and will likely continue to impact fish and other marine life for many years.
Never sink it or stick it in the water because it will eventually disintegrate and release toxic chemicals into the water.
Fiberglass produces polluting compounds when it is broken down by environmental factors and the organisms in the water.
Conclusion
You’ve had the fiberglass boat for a few years now, and all of a sudden you realize it’s just too much maintenance. It’s old, outdated, and the market is flooded with newer, better boats. What can you do?
In this article, you will learn how to get rid of an old fiberglass boat:
- Donate it
- Sell it
- Auction it
- Recycle it
- Call the local government service
- Take it to the scrapyard
Do you have any unused things? Read my another article of how to get rid of old matress and old exercise equipment!
