Where do sailboats go to die?

[Witchi-Tai-To]

I have a 23 O'Day that I plan to sail a couple of more years before moving up. I suspect that the 23 will be about worthless at that point due to some significant delamination on the coach roof forward of the mast. Its been residing off-season on a trailer, but I'm relocating to a new berth and will no longer really need it. Furthermore, the trailer is out of inspection and in need of some work.

So here's my question: if I can find no one willing to take the 23 off my hands, what does one do with an old boat? Are there salvage yards? If so, will I need the trailer to get it to one? I'd like to sell it for whatever I can get, but I need to think through the end game here first.

Any help would be appreciated - thanks, gang.

 

[RECESS]

One option is take it to a landfill. They will have you go across the scales on the way in. They put a strap on the back of the boat and pull it off the trailer and drag it back to crush it. Then you go across the scales on the way out. Ours charges $47 a ton. I did this recently to acquire a trailer for my C22. I did not want the boat just the trailer. Cost me $67 and all of a half hour.

 

[Kermit]

You can donate your boat to charity. Try this link for now. http://www.boatangel.org/ You can also check in your own state and see what non-profit organizations accept old boats. National Public Radio takes donations, too. I would hate to see a boat with any value at all go to a landfill when someone out there could possibly use it.

Kermit

 

[bruce1309]

I sold a trailer - with a 26' boat on it - to a guy who donated the boat, complete with the holes in the decking, to a Boy Scout Camp on a lake. They restored it and learned all about fiberglassing, boat structure, etc. Neat deal and I broke even on the trailer!

 

[Joe]

Donate it to the Sea Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America. You'll get a tax deduction for charity contribution. Go to this website and find the nearest squadron or flotilla and give them a call. http://www.seascout.org/

 

[Ron20324]

I sold a 222 with a trailer you would not want to take on the road empty, never the less with the boat on it- but it was okay to launch/haul the boat. The owner did sail the boat home, and the dealer took the trailer by road. The trailer was usefull to pull the boat out and store it at the new marina. Maybe a local dealer would take your on such a basis- marina use only?

 

[Kermit]

Speaking of the trailer, the guy in the slip next to mine is looking for a trailer for his O'Day 23. I'll be in touch with him and see if he's interested in taking a road trip to Maryland. I suspect he'll at least want to be in touch with you.
Kermit

 

[Kermit]

OK, I just talked to the guy docked next to me. He is interested in talking to you about your trailer. I'm gonna send the link to this thread to him. I have his email address and phone number, too. I don't feel real comfortable posting that info here right now. But let's see if y'all can get together.
Kermit

 

[shemandr]

Saws All and a dumpster?

 

[WayneH]

A friend of mine says a sawsall is the BEST thing to use on a free boat. Perferably before you start putting money into it.

 

[Steve Dion]

Chain saw it and haul it to the dump. If there happens to be any lead in the keel that brings a good price.

The owner at our marina has done 3 or 4 of them in the last year. (That is what happens when you don't pay your rent).

You may be able to sell the rig & miscellaneous on ebay/craigslist etc.

 

[IanJ]

Give it to the Boy Scouts. You get a write off too.

 

[mark_swart]

How bad is the delamination really? I hate to see an O'Day 23 get hacked up and I hope you go the donation route, whether to a charity or just someone who wants a boat and isn't afraid of some restoration work. It's a Good Old Boat and it could probably give someone a chance to sail who otherwise might not be able to afford to.
What year is it?