Donate a boat in South Carolina
South Carolina boating spans Charleston Harbor and the Lowcountry, Hilton Head and Beaufort, Myrtle Beach and the Waccamaw, and big lakes like Murray, Marion, Keowee, and Hartwell.
South Carolina rules for a boat donation
TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Visit the agency site
Titles and registration
SCDNR titles and registers boats and outboard motors.
Outboard motors
South Carolina titles outboard motors separately, generally above a small horsepower. If your boat has an outboard, it may have its own title.
Property tax
South Carolina counties tax boats. Tell your county after you donate.
Lost title or registration
The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from South Carolina 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 South Carolina title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.
What South Carolina boat owners call us about
Hurricane season in the Lowcountry
Owners on the coast after storms.
Lake Murray slips
Owners near Columbia.
Missing outboard titles
Owners who cannot find the outboard title.
Boats we pick up in South Carolina
Fishing boats Bay boats and center consoles.
Motorboats Pontoons and wake boats.
Sailboats Sailboats in Charleston.
We also pick up every other kind of boat in South Carolina. The types above are just the ones we see most here.
Boating in South Carolina: seasons and storage
The season
The coast boats most of the year; hurricane season runs June through November.
Storage and carrying costs
Dry stack and marinas are common on the coast; lake homes have docks. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.
A typical South Carolina donation
A bay boat or center console. We accept every other kind of boat here too.
South Carolina by region
Pickup works the same across the state. These are the waters we hear about most.
South Carolina boat donation questions
Does my outboard need its own title in South Carolina?
Most do. Sign both titles.
Do I need to tell my county I donated my boat?
Yes, to stop property tax.
Can you pick up from a Charleston marina?
Yes.
When is the best time of year to donate a boat in South Carolina?
Fall, after hurricane season on the coast and before lake slip renewals. 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 South Carolina boat donation
Takes about three minutes. Your best guesses are fine, or call (888) 228-7320.
Free pickup by our trusted transport team · We handle title transfer and tax paperwork · No cost to you
OTHER STATES IN THE SOUTHEAST