A center console boat idling in a sound behind a dune with sea oats and a wooden pier, with a striped lighthouse on the horizon on the Outer Banks

Donate a boat in North Carolina

North Carolina boating spans the Outer Banks and the sounds, Pamlico and Albemarle, the Crystal Coast, Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, and a string of Piedmont lakes including Lake Norman, Jordan, Falls, and High Rock.

Call (888) 228-7320

North Carolina rules for a boat donation

TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Visit the agency site

Titles and registration

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission titles and registers vessels. Many motorized boats are titled.

Trailers

Trailers are titled and registered through the NCDMV.

Hurricane season

Coastal owners should settle any storm insurance claim before donating.

Lost title or registration

The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 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 North Carolina title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.

What North Carolina boat owners call us about

Coastal hurricane risk

Owners on the coast tired of storm prep.

Lake Norman slips

Owners with slips around Charlotte.

Sailboats on the sounds

Sailboats in Oriental and New Bern.

Boats we pick up in North Carolina

Fishing boats Center consoles and sportfishers. Sailboats Sailboats on the Pamlico. Motorboats Pontoons and wake boats on Lake Norman.

We also pick up every other kind of boat in North Carolina. The types above are just the ones we see most here.

Yachts Center consoles Houseboats Commercial boats Personal watercraft Classic boats Ski and wake boats Boat trailers Marine equipment

Boating in North Carolina: seasons and storage

The season

The coast boats most of the year; the lakes are busiest April to October.

Storage and carrying costs

Dry stack storage is common on the coast; lake homes have docks. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.

A typical North Carolina donation

A center console on the coast or a pontoon on Lake Norman. We accept every other kind of boat here too.

North Carolina by region

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

Outer Banks and the sounds

Manteo, Hatteras, and the Albemarle.

Crystal Coast

Morehead City and Beaufort.

Wilmington and Cape Fear

Wrightsville Beach and Southport.

Piedmont lakes

Norman, Jordan, Falls, and High Rock.

Mountains

Fontana and Lake Lure.

I inherited a center console from my dad and didn’t know where to begin. Stephanie answered every question, handled the paperwork, and arranged transport from the marina. I felt taken care of the whole time. Peace of mind is the best way to describe it.

Chad M. · Morehead City, NC

North Carolina boat donation questions

Where do I get a duplicate North Carolina boat title?

From the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Can you pick up from Oriental?

Yes.

My boat is on a lift on Lake Norman. Can you get it?

Yes, from a nearby ramp.

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

Fall on the lakes; on the coast, after hurricane season. 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 North Carolina boat donation

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

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

Name

Phone

Preferred contact method

Best time to reach you

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

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