A white cabin cruiser running across blue Lake Michigan in evening light, with a red-and-white pier lighthouse, sand dunes and distant sailboats behind it

Donate a boat in Michigan

Michigan has more coastline than any state but Alaska and more registered boats than almost anywhere. Lake St. Clair cruisers, Lake Michigan sailboats, Grand Traverse Bay runabouts, and pontoons on inland lakes all share one problem: a short season and a long, expensive winter of storage.

Call (888) 228-7320

Michigan rules for a boat donation

TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY

Michigan Secretary of State

Visit the agency site

Titles and registration

The Michigan Secretary of State titles and registers watercraft. Many boats are titled, depending on length and whether a motor is permanently attached; we confirm with you.

Trailers

Trailers are titled and registered through the Secretary of State as vehicles.

Winter storage

Storage in Michigan often runs from October to May. Many donors call in the fall.

Lost title or registration

The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from Michigan Secretary of State. 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 Michigan title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.

What Michigan boat owners call us about

Winter storage costs

Owners paying for indoor storage or shrink wrap every year.

Up North cottages

Pontoons and runabouts at cottages that changed hands.

Great Lakes cruisers

Cruisers in Lake St. Clair and Lake Michigan marinas.

Boats we pick up in Michigan

Motorboats Pontoons, runabouts, and cruisers. Sailboats Great Lakes sailboats. Fishing boats Walleye and salmon boats.

We also pick up every other kind of boat in Michigan. 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 Michigan: seasons and storage

The season

The season runs Memorial Day to early October.

Storage and carrying costs

Winter storage is a major cost, often indoors or shrink-wrapped. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.

A typical Michigan donation

A pontoon or cruiser in winter storage. We accept every other kind of boat here too.

Michigan by region

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

Lake St. Clair and Detroit River

Harrison Township, St. Clair Shores, and Grosse Pointe.

West Michigan shoreline

Grand Haven, Holland, and Muskegon.

Northern Michigan

Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Petoskey.

Inland lakes

Houghton, Higgins, Gull, and Torch.

Upper Peninsula

Marquette and the Straits.

Michigan boat donation questions

Can you pick up a shrink-wrapped boat in January?

Yes, weather permitting. Leave it wrapped.

Does Michigan title my boat?

The Secretary of State can tell you; we will confirm too.

My trailer has a Michigan plate. Is it titled?

Most are. Sign it over with the boat.

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

Late September or early October, before winterization and 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 Michigan boat donation

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

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

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

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