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A white cabin fishing boat tied to a wooden dock on Lake Erie, with a breakwater lighthouse and open water behind

Donate a boat in Ohio

Ohio boating centers on Lake Erie, from Toledo and Port Clinton to the Lake Erie Islands, Sandusky, Cleveland, and Ashtabula, plus inland lakes like Indian Lake, Grand Lake St. Marys, and Buckeye Lake, and the Ohio River.

Start your donation here
Two answers now, the rest takes about three minutes.

Ohio rules for a boat donation

TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft
Visit the agency site
Registration
ODNR registers watercraft in Ohio.
Titles, including outboards
Ohio titles many boats and outboard motors separately through county clerk of courts title offices, based on length and horsepower. If your boat has an outboard, it may have its own title.
Trailers
Trailers are registered through the Ohio BMV.
Lost title or registration
The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft. If the boat was never retitled after a sale, or the owner has passed away, tell us and we will point you to the right forms.
Coast Guard documented vessels
Documented boats transfer through the National Vessel Documentation Center with a bill of sale, not a Ohio title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.

What Ohio boat owners call us about

Lake Erie walleye boats
Boats from anglers who have upgraded or retired.
Island and harbor slips
Cruisers in Port Clinton and Sandusky marinas.
Missing outboard titles
Owners who cannot find the outboard title.

Boats we pick up in Ohio

Fishing boats Walleye and perch boats. Motorboats Cruisers and pontoons. Sailboats Lake Erie sailboats.
We also pick up every other kind of boat in Ohio. The types above are just the ones we see most here.
Yachts Center consoles Houseboats Commercial boats Personal watercraft Classic boats Ski and wake boats Boat trailers Marine equipment

Boating in Ohio: seasons and storage

The season
Lake Erie runs May to October.
Storage and carrying costs
Winter storage and shrink wrap are common. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.
A typical Ohio donation
A walleye boat or cruiser on Lake Erie. We accept every other kind of boat here too.

Ohio by region

Pickup works the same across the state. These are the waters we hear about most.

Western Lake Erie
Toledo, Port Clinton, and the Islands.
Sandusky and Cleveland
Central Lake Erie.
Inland lakes
Indian Lake, Grand Lake St. Marys, and Buckeye Lake.
Ohio River
Cincinnati to Marietta.

Ohio boat donation questions

Does my outboard need its own Ohio title?

Many do, depending on horsepower. Check with the county title office; we can help.

Where do I replace a lost Ohio boat title?

At a county clerk of courts title office.

Can you pick up from Put-in-Bay?

It takes a ferry or a move by water. Call us.

When is the best time of year to donate a boat in Ohio?

Fall, before Lake Erie haul-outs and winter storage. That said, you can donate any time of year.

State rules change. We confirm current requirements when we handle your paperwork. We do not provide tax or legal advice.

Start your Ohio boat donation

Takes about three minutes. Your best guesses are fine, or call (888) 228-7320.

BWC Donation: General (guides, states, main pages)

Free pickup by our trusted transport team · We handle title transfer and tax paperwork · No cost to you

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