What to Do With an Abandoned Boat?

Question

This guy was waiting for us in the back yard of a rehab project we just bought. I have no experience buying and selling boats so I am looking for a little guidance.

From my research it looks as if I am supposed to reach out to the previous owner and give them a chance to claim the boat. We bought this house from an estate, the gentleman had no heirs to pass property to. So I'm assuming I am off the hook there. Also it looks like the titling process could take a while, maybe longer than I'll have the house. In this case I wonder if it would be worth it to try and sell it with a salvaged title.

Any advice helps, thanks.

For the record it looks to be a late 80's model Catalina 22 sail boat. Retail from $4-8k in good condition.

Charlie MacPherson · Answer

@Ethan Perry They say that the two happiest days of a boat owner's life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it.  That is a stone cold fact.

I'd do whatever you can to dump it. FAST.

Ethan Perry · Answer

Thank you all for the feedback. I should have been more clear, my goal is not to make money here, I was just giving an approximation of it's value.

I would be happy to donate it to a charity or give it to someone who wanted it, I just didn't know if I was able to without titling it and such.

Jill F. · Answer

I'd put it on craigslist for $500. You might get someone interested in a project boat.

Brian Pulaski · Answer

I love boats, have owned a few over the past years. With that said boats like what you have are tough to get rid of. You can try and donate, although it depends on what kind of ownership papers are needed where you are, and what you have. I spent a long time giving away a 25' boat years ago. It ended up working, but was a lot of tire kicking and wasted time.

Jaysen Medhurst · Answer

@Ethan Perry, why not just donate it? Red Cross, NPR, lots of nonprofits will take it off your hands. Take the tax write off and be done with it.

What to Do With an Abandoned Boat?

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