How to Donate a Boat Without a Trailer

Donating a boat can get you a tax write-off and help a charity. If you intend to buy another boat, you can even keep your trailer and donate the boat without it, regardless if the boat is still in the water, in storage or on your property. Visit the boat donation website of your choice. Fill out the forms. Follow a few simple steps to prepare your boat for pickup.

Things You'll Need

• Hoist
• Marina slip or storage

Instructions

1. Alert the boat donation charity of the trailer status. Some have an area on their donation form to mark if the boat comes with a trailer or not.

2. Remove all personal items from the boat and have the keys available at the boat's location. Or meet the donation trailer when it comes to pick up your boat.

3. Tell the marina where you dock or store your boat that a company will be coming to pick up the boat. Alert them to the time the truck will arrive if your boat is on a hoist or rack so they can have it available. Request a lift to put the boat on the charity transport trailer.

4. If the boat is on your property, be prepared to have the means to get your boat from the trailer, blocks or jacks to the charity transport trailer.

5. Rent temporary storage space at a local marina until the donation company picks up the boat. The marina can hoist the boat to a temporary block, or rack, and transfer it to the charity transport trailer.

6. Arrange to meet the charity transport at a local marina. Arrange a time to have a hoist available to transfer the boat from your trailer to the charity transport trailer.

References

• Boats with Causes
• Boat Angel