How To Get Rid Of A Fiberglass Boat

Let’s find ways on how to get rid of a Fiberglass Boat and a complete guide on how to do it properly!

Top-quality material, highly durable, suitable for adverse weather conditions, and with a long lifespan is the reason why fiberglass is the most used material when it comes to building boats for decades. Fiberglass vessels that have been built over half a century ago are still in top condition to this present day.

But since the designs of such vessels have evolved over time, those designs tend to be obsolete or unappealing these days.

Also, due to lack of use or old age, the cost of making repairs within such vessels tends to be high, that is why most vessel owners today instead of incurring such expenses. They look for an alternative way of ridding themselves of their fiberglass vessels, either through sales or donations.

How To Get Rid Of A Fiberglass Boat

This article will give you a step-by-step breakdown of how to get rid of a fiberglass boat either by donation or for recycling purposes.

• Charity donations

If your boat is sinking fast into a state of repair and you are either too busy with life, or you don’t have the funds to make those repairs, then it is safe to consider donating it to a charity.

There are people who have the time and the money to take your old boat that is fast falling apart, and transform it into a masterpiece again that could help people. You could search for charities around you whose specialty is refurbishing old boats.

You could get more information about these from the marina in your locality. They could provide information on charities that renovate old boats.

Also, you could consider giving your boat to Vessel Turn-In Programs at no cost at all. You could search for these programs in your locality or state. If you are considering giving your vessel as a donation to either a school or a charity, then you should know that it comes with tax benefits.

But, if your boat is quite beyond a state of repair, then be sure that it will be difficult to find a charity that will accept it. For alternative methods to get rid of your vessel you read on for more.

• You could always recycle your Fiberglass boat
  

If after reading all the options listed above, you are still on the lookout for more information, your boat must really be totaled. If this is the case, you might consider recycling it yourself. If you have made this decision, it is advised that you are properly geared up for this procedure.

Do ensure to stay away from any equipment you do not have sufficient training to handle, especially cutting ones. Also, endeavor to get some knowledge on how to take apart an old fiberglass vessel first before proceeding.

• Gift it to someone or people who might fancy it

What you might see as unappealing is that someone else is leaving no stone unturned in their search for it. So, before you think of disposing of your boat so fast, you could go online to search for websites where you can put it up for grabs.

This method of finding a new owner, and use for your vessel is much better than any of the aforementioned ideas. Also, while transferring ownership, be sure to notify the new owner-to-be of whatever issues the vessel might have so that they will be aware of what they are taking on.

If you neglect to tell this person the entirety of what you’re offering to them, it wouldn’t be a good thing at all, and karma could come knocking sooner or later.

• Dispose at the landfill.

Here is a good option for getting rid of your old junk vessel; Disposing at the landfill is a good idea, but be sure to notify the associated authorities ahead of time, about what you intend on doing. There are some necessary precautions or guidelines to follow before you can successfully dispose of it there.

This might cost a pretty penny, but it is the only lawful way you can dispose of your old boat just like that. When you have brought your boat for disposal, they will get to work on it and tear it apart.

• Sinking it (Not a great option though)

This might offer a fast and easy way to get your problem solved, but it is rather a selfish act, it could lead to jail time or incur extravagant fines with regards to the area in which you carried it out.

Sinking your boat intentionally poses a huge threat to the aquatic ecosystem, especially if you did not do due diligence in thoroughly cleaning it out and getting it rid of toxic and harmful substances.

If in the process of sinking your vessel, you manage to take the trawler’s net down with it, be certain that you will be tracked, and you will have to pay for damages. Though a seemingly fun and quick remedy, it often isn’t fun when the repercussions coming.

Also, sinking your vessel poses a threat to skippers who will definitely be unaware of your vessel underneath them. To summarize it all, sinking your fiberglass vessel is totally not worth the trouble and the harmful effects it is going to bring to both the marine ecosystem and other sea users, and your finances too when the consequences begin to start coming.

• Abandoning it (a wrong idea also)

Since you cannot sink it or burn it as you have been thinking, then the next option that might come to mind is to abandon it; Please do not do this. It is not a nice way of getting rid of your vessel. Also, it attracts fines for unlawful desecration.

Just as you would not want anyone to desecrate your front yard, you don’t want to do the same thing to the environment. It is actually irresponsibility, leaving your mess for someone else to clean up.

Another thing to note is that you can be traced easily as the perpetrator of that act through your HIN or VIN identification number.

Quick fact: Quite a huge amount of taxpayers’ money is being spent on the recovery and disposal of abandoned vessels. As much as $4500 for every ten feet of the vessel!

• Sell if off (either in parts or whole)

Selling in parts or whole can entail selling it either to a salvager, or someone who wants the vessel for themselves.  When you call for a salvager, as per procedure they will have to come and evaluate the vessel first to determine its worth, after which you will be compensated accordingly and you will be rid of it for good.

Some pretty good stuff could be gotten out of your vessel by skillful salvagers. But if your vessel has really gone to the dumps, then they might not even spare it a second glance even at no charge.

However, there could be someone on the lookout to purchase an old vessel for refurbishing purposes. You could put the word out on the internet, and it will surprise you the amount of interest it will generate.

• Burning it up (also, a wrong option).

A lot of websites and YouTube channels advocate burning your fiberglass vessel as a way to get rid of it. This is not a good solution due to various reasons.

• It requires quite a high amount of energy to be completely burned up. If it is not totally burned up, the residue left (strands and short-fibers of the fiberglass) could be carried up in the wind, and this can pose a serious health hazard if breathed in. You surely don’t want to do this.
• Upon burning your vessel, it will leave behind a huge mess to clean up. Those fibers left behind are really harmful to the environment, and if by chance, you decide to carry out the burning in a secluded area, it will leave a trail that will track back to you. In all, it is a wrong move to make.

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