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A pontoon boat with a bimini top at a small dock on a misty Northwoods lake, with birch and pine on the shore, a green cabin and canoes

Donate a boat in Wisconsin

Wisconsin boating spans Lake Michigan and Door County, Lake Geneva, the Madison lakes, Lake Winnebago, the Mississippi, and hundreds of Northwoods lakes around Minocqua and Eagle River.

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

Wisconsin rules for a boat donation

TITLING AND REGISTRATION AGENCY
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Visit the agency site
Titles and registration
Wisconsin DNR registers boats and titles larger ones, generally 16 feet and over.
Trailers
Trailers are registered through the Wisconsin DMV.
Winter storage
Most boats spend six months in storage.
Lost title or registration
The owner on record can usually get a duplicate from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin title. Some documented boats are also registered with the state for use here.

What Wisconsin boat owners call us about

Northwoods cabins
Pontoons and fishing boats left at cabins.
Lake Geneva boats
Cruisers and classics.
Storage bills
Owners paying winter storage.

Boats we pick up in Wisconsin

Motorboats Pontoons and cruisers. Fishing boats Walleye and musky boats. Sailboats Door County sailboats.
We also pick up every other kind of boat in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin: seasons and storage

The season
The season runs Memorial Day to early October.
Storage and carrying costs
Winter storage is standard. Every month a boat sits unused, those costs keep adding up. Estimate yours.
A typical Wisconsin donation
A pontoon or fishing boat. We accept every other kind of boat here too.

Wisconsin by region

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

Door County and Green Bay
Sturgeon Bay and Sister Bay.
Lake Geneva and Southeast
Lake Geneva and Milwaukee.
Madison lakes
Mendota and Monona.
Northwoods
Minocqua and Eagle River.
Mississippi River
La Crosse.

Wisconsin boat donation questions

Is my boat titled in Wisconsin?

Boats 16 feet and over generally are.

Can you pick up from a Northwoods cabin?

Yes.

Where do I get a duplicate title?

Wisconsin DNR.

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

Late September, before winterization. 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 Wisconsin 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 GREAT LAKES AND UPPER MIDWEST
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