Talk to the yard first
Before pickup, the yard will want to know who is coming and when. Most yards simply need you to sign a release or tell the office the boat is leaving. We coordinate the rest with them directly.
If the boat sits in an indoor rack or dry stack, the yard's forklift has to bring it down. That usually means scheduling the pickup during the yard's working hours.
If you owe storage fees
Many storage agreements give the yard a lien on the boat for unpaid fees, which means it can hold the boat until the balance is settled. Settle the account or agree a plan with the yard before we schedule anything.
If the balance is large compared with the boat's value, call us. We will tell you honestly whether a donation still makes sense.
What we need from you
- The yard's name, address, and office hours
- The boat's space or row number, if the yard uses them
- Confirmation that storage is paid through the pickup date
- Title or registration, and any trailer paperwork
Indoor, outdoor, and dry stack storage
Outdoor lots are the simplest: the transporter backs up, hitches, and goes. Indoor buildings and dry stacks need the yard's forklift, so pickups happen during working hours and sometimes need a day's notice. Tell us which type of storage you use.
Boats that have sat for years
Storage protects a boat from weather, but long storage still takes a toll: fuel goes stale, batteries die, seals dry out, and trailer tires crack. None of that usually rules out a donation. Describe what you know and send a few photos, even older ones.
Ending the storage agreement
Most storage contracts bill monthly and ask for notice before you leave. Once we set a pickup date, give the yard notice so you are not billed for another month. Keep a record of the date the boat left.
Questions
Do I need to be there on pickup day?
Usually not. If the yard can release the boat and your paperwork is ready, the transporter can collect it without you.
The boat has been in storage for years. Is that a problem?
Not by itself. Boats that sat covered in storage are often in better shape than boats left outside. Tell us how long it has been and whether anyone has started it.
Can I stop paying storage right away?
Give the yard notice as soon as the pickup date is set. Most yards bill by the month, so a quick pickup can save you a full month.
The yard says I owe several months. What happens?
The yard will usually hold the boat until the balance is settled. Settle it or agree a plan with the yard, then we schedule pickup.
Can you pick up from a storage unit with a roll-up door?
Often, yes, if a truck can reach the unit and the boat can be pulled out on its trailer.