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A white center console boat on a mooring in a Cape Cod harbor, with weathered gray-shingled fish shacks on pilings, a stone bulkhead and a dune-grass spit at dusk

Donate a boat in Massachusetts

Massachusetts boating is coastal first: Boston Harbor, the North Shore from Gloucester to Newburyport, the South Shore, Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Center consoles for striped bass, sailboats on moorings, and cruisers in marinas are all common.

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

Massachusetts rules for a boat donation

TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY
Massachusetts Environmental Police, Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration
Visit the agency site
Registration and titles
The Massachusetts Environmental Police register boats, and some boats are also titled. Which applies depends on the boat's size and motor; we confirm with you.
Excise tax
Massachusetts collects a boat excise tax through the city or town. After you donate, you stop owing it.
Trailers
Trailers are registered through the Massachusetts RMV.
Lost title or registration
The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from Massachusetts Environmental Police, Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration. 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 Massachusetts title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.

What Massachusetts boat owners call us about

Striped bass boats
Center consoles from anglers who have upgraded, like John and Nicki in Boston.
Moorings and winter storage
Owners paying for a mooring in summer and a yard in winter.
Cape houses
Boats left behind when a Cape Cod house is sold.

Boats we pick up in Massachusetts

Fishing boats Center consoles for striped bass and tuna. Sailboats Sailboats on Buzzards Bay and the North Shore. Motorboats Cruisers and runabouts.
We also pick up every other kind of boat in Massachusetts. The types above are just the ones we see most here.
Yachts Personal watercraft Houseboats Floating homes Commercial boats Boat trailers Classic boats Marine equipment

Boating in Massachusetts: seasons and storage

The season
Boating runs May to October; striped bass season peaks in early summer.
Storage and carrying costs
Moorings and winter yard storage are the norm. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.
A typical Massachusetts donation
A center console on a Cape Cod mooring. We accept every other kind of boat here too.

Massachusetts by region

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

Boston Harbor
Boston, Quincy, and Hingham.
North Shore
Gloucester, Marblehead, and Newburyport.
South Shore and Buzzards Bay
Plymouth, Marion, and New Bedford.
Cape Cod and the Islands
Falmouth to Provincetown, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard.
Inland
Quabbin area and the Berkshire lakes.
We upgraded to a bigger fishing boat and my husband was unable to sell our other boat as easy as he was thinking it would be. I think he spent around $500 in gas and too many hours of his time over the last 5 months and it started feeling like everyone was just looking for a free boat ride or something. I found you online, filled out the fishing boat donation form and within 2 hours someone called back and arranged for the free pick up. Everything was very professional and we received a nice tax break. Thanks again!
John and Nicki · Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts boat donation questions

Do I stop paying boat excise tax after I donate?

Yes, for future years once the boat is transferred. Tell your town.

Can you get a boat off Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard?

It takes planning with the ferry or a move by water. Call us.

My boat is on a mooring in Marblehead. Can you pick it up in October?

Yes. We time it with haul-out.

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

At fall haul-out, before mooring fees and winter storage renew. 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 Massachusetts 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

OTHER STATES IN THE NEW ENGLAND
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