Donate a sailboat
Daysailers, weekend cruisers, catamarans, and boats that have not left the mooring in years. If your sailboat has real resale value, we can take it, whether the mast is stepped, the keel is on stands, or the sails are still in their bags.
Sailboats we accept
Is my sailboat worth donating?
Sailboats hold value differently than powerboats. A well-built 1980s fiberglass cruiser with a sound deck can be worth more than a newer boat that was neglected, because hull and rig condition matter more than the year on the title.
The things that shape our answer: soft spots or delamination in the deck, the age of the standing rigging, the condition of the sails, whether the auxiliary engine runs, and any known keel or rudder issues. Tired sails and an old outboard are normal and rarely a dealbreaker.
Where we usually say no: boats with major structural damage to the hull, boats that have sunk and sat, and small older sailboats whose moving costs would exceed what they sell for. We will tell you that on the first call.
Not sure? Call (888) 228-7320 and describe it. That is often the fastest answer.
How pickup works for sailboats
Sailboats take more planning than most boats because of the mast and keel. We work through these details with you and the transporter before pickup day. Pickup is free, and timing depends on both sides' availability: sometimes a couple of days, sometimes a couple of weeks.
Paperwork for a sailboat
You will sign over the title, or the registration in states that do not title boats. Sailboats with an outboard auxiliary may have a separate outboard title in some states. Your state guide lists which ones do.
Many larger sailboats are Coast Guard documented rather than state titled. That is common and fine: the transfer runs through the National Vessel Documentation Center, and we handle the forms. If you are not sure which your boat is, look for an official number carved or fixed inside the hull.
State-by-state rules are in our state guides. Lost the title? Read donating a boat without a title.
The tax deduction
For most sailboat donations, your deduction is the amount the boat sells for, reported on the Form 1098-C we send you. Boats fall under the same IRS rules as donated cars.
The full tax guide covers the exceptions, what happens when a sale runs into the next year, and a worked example.
We do not provide tax or legal advice. Consult your own advisor.
Read the tax guideSailboat builders we see often
Catalina, Hunter, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Pearson, O'Day, C&C, Island Packet, Tartan, Sabre, Cape Dory, Bristol, Ericson, Islander, Hobie, MacGregor, Com-Pac, Lagoon, and many more.
Not on the list? It is here to help you find your boat, not to limit what we take. We accept every make and model of sailboat, listed or not, including rare builders and companies that closed decades ago. A donation depends on the boat's condition and paperwork, never the name on the hull, so enter yours on the form even if you do not see it here.
My family somehow accumulated 4 sailboats here in San Diego and we obviously didn't need them all. I found your website on google and compared you to a couple other charities. I called you up and we spoke and the donation was arranged. I explained to you that the 3rd boat had to be moved because it was illegally moored here in the San Diego Bay. Within 24 hours the boat was moved and we feel relieved. Thanks!
Sailboat donation questions
My sails are old and blown out. Does that matter?
Less than people expect. Buyers of used sailboats plan on replacing sails. Tell us the age and condition in the form so we can factor it in, but worn sails rarely change the answer.
The mast is already down and stored separately. Can it come too?
Yes. Tell us where the mast, boom, and rigging are stored. The transporter can carry a mast on the same load in most cases, or we arrange a second pickup.
My sailboat has an old outboard that does not run. Is that a problem?
Not usually. Many sailboats are sold with a nonrunning auxiliary. It matters more for a boat with an inboard diesel, so tell us what happens when you try to start it.
Can you pick up a boat that is on a mooring?
Yes. We coordinate with the harbormaster or marina to bring it in for a haul-out. If the mooring itself is yours, it is not part of the boat donation.
Start your sailboat 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