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A bowrider and a pontoon boat tied at a small dock on an Iowa prairie lake, with a red barn and grassy shoreline at sunset

Donate a boat in Iowa

Iowa boating centers on the Iowa Great Lakes, Okoboji and Spirit Lake, Clear Lake, Saylorville and Red Rock near Des Moines, and the Mississippi River along the eastern border. Pontoons, fishing boats, and wake boats are the common trio.

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

Iowa rules for a boat donation

TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Visit the agency site
Titles and registration
Iowa boat registration and titling are handled by county recorders under Iowa DNR rules. Whether your boat needs a title depends on its size and type; we confirm with you.
Trailers
Trailers are registered through the county treasurer.
Out-of-state lake homes
Okoboji boats are often owned by out-of-state families and registered elsewhere.
Lost title or registration
The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 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 Iowa title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.

What Iowa boat owners call us about

Okoboji lake-house boats
Boats from lake homes that sold or passed to the next generation.
Mississippi River fishing boats
Aluminum boats from Dubuque to Burlington.
Farm storage
Boats stored in machine sheds for years.

Boats we pick up in Iowa

Motorboats Pontoons and wake boats. Fishing boats Walleye and river boats. Boat trailers Trailers left over after a sale.
We also pick up every other kind of boat in Iowa. The types above are just the ones we see most here.
Sailboats Yachts Personal watercraft Houseboats Floating homes Commercial boats Classic boats Marine equipment

Boating in Iowa: seasons and storage

The season
The season runs from May to September.
Storage and carrying costs
Most boats are stored in garages, machine sheds, or storage units. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.
A typical Iowa donation
A pontoon or fishing boat on a trailer. We accept every other kind of boat here too.

Iowa by region

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

Iowa Great Lakes
Okoboji and Spirit Lake.
Clear Lake and North Iowa
Clear Lake and Mason City.
Central Iowa
Saylorville and Red Rock.
Mississippi River
Dubuque, Davenport, and Burlington.

Iowa boat donation questions

Where do I get a duplicate title in Iowa?

From the county recorder in the county where the boat was titled.

Can you pick up from an Okoboji boathouse?

Yes, with access for a trailer or a ramp nearby.

My boat is registered in Minnesota but kept in Iowa. Which rules apply?

Minnesota's, since that is where it is registered.

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

Early fall, before boats go into sheds for the winter. 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 Iowa 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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