Start with your insurer
If your boat is insured, file the claim first. If the insurer declares the boat a total loss and pays the claim, the insurer usually takes ownership of the boat and it is no longer yours to donate.
If the damage is below your deductible or the claim is settled with you keeping the boat, a donation may make sense.
What we can take
Boats with cosmetic damage, broken windshields, torn canvas, or minor hull scrapes often still have solid value. Boats that sank and sat underwater, or that have major structural damage, usually do not. We will tell you honestly.
Derelict vessel rules
Many coastal states have rules requiring owners to remove a damaged or sunken boat from public waters within a set time. If your boat is at risk of being declared derelict, act quickly and check your state's wildlife or boating agency guidance.
Document everything first
Before moving or cleaning a damaged boat, take photos from every angle for your insurer and your own records. Photos also help us review the boat.
Common storm damage and what it means
- Torn canvas and broken windshields: usually cosmetic
- Hull scrapes and gelcoat damage: often repairable
- Water in the engine: serious, depends on how long
- Structural cracks or broken stringers: often not a fit
- Sunk and recovered: rarely a fit
Boats blown ashore or displaced
If your boat ended up on someone else's property or in the water after a storm, local officials may set deadlines for removal. Contact your insurer and local authorities first. Once the boat is safely recovered, we can review it for donation.
Questions
My boat was flooded. Can I still donate it?
It depends on how long it was underwater and what kind of water. Freshwater flooding for a short time is different from a boat that sank in saltwater. Send photos and we will review it.
Should I clean it up before pickup?
Make it safe and remove personal belongings, but do not spend money on repairs.
Does storm damage affect the tax deduction?
The deduction is generally the sale price, which reflects the damage. Casualty loss rules are separate; ask your tax advisor.
Can you recover a sunken boat?
No. Recovery needs a salvage company. We can review the boat after it is recovered.
Is there a best time to call after a storm?
After your insurance claim is resolved and roads are clear.