How to Get Rid of a Fiberglass Boat? – Recycling Instruction

Fiberglass is considered as the most durable boating material available on the market. A regular fiberglass watercraft can have a lifespan averaging 50 years. However, its durability may cause some troubles for boaters in terms of boat removal.

This leads us to the question “How to get rid of a fiberglass boat?” In fact, methods for fiberglass boat disposal vary in many different aspects, from fiberglass recycling to donating for a free junk boat removal near me.

Hence, if you are looking for instructions to get rid of an old fiberglass boat, this article is perfect for you.

In this post, we will provide methods to dispose of fiberglass vessels and also compile a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it.

Keep reading and follow our article until the end for detailed fiberglass boat removal suggestions!

Different Methods of Fiberglass Boat Disposal

Depending on where you live or what your main purpose is, there are various ways to dispose of your old fiberglass vessel. These parts below will present some of the best methods to deal with boat removal.

These techniques are guaranteed to keep you out of penalties or fines. Still, as insurance, ensure to obtain verification after you complete these disposal procedures. Here are our suggestions on fiberglass vessel removal:

1. Disposing at a landfill

Since I have witnessed some boaters practice free junk boat removal near me at a landfill, this is the first option I want to recommend to you.

Landfill disposal isn’t really a removal choice, but it’s the one that won’t cause you trouble. In fact, this method was formerly the only option of boat removal.

It just means that you take your boat to a random dump yard and leave it there.

Nevertheless, nowadays, as everyone is aware of environmental issues, it might not make you feel pleasant to know that your old vessel is contributing to the degradation of the environment.

Thankfully, there have been other possibilities. Keep this as a last resort if you cannot proceed with other alternatives.

2. Donating

For individuals who live by the shore and want to spend as much time as possible on the ocean, having old fiberglass watercraft is a major issue.

Many boaters, however, lack the skills or expertise in removing old boats from their garages. In case you are one of these people, you should consider donating your old vessel to those who will put it to greater use.

Donating old fiberglass vessels to your local charity is a fantastic way to support someone in need, since there are many boat lovers with restricted budgets and are unable to purchase a craft for themselves.

Hence, donating your fiberglass watercraft is truly an act of kindness. This has a positive effect on not only the environment but also the community.

3. Recycling

Recycling a watercraft is a fantastic method to put a broken fiberglass vessel to good use. It’s also a great technique to ensure that garbage is collected and disposed of appropriately.

If you need to dispose of a fiberglass craft, contact a local recycling facility to schedule a collection. They may utilize the recycled resources to build new vessels and other items after refurbishing the old vessels.

4. Selling

It might be difficult to sell an old vessel. Hence, it’s critical to have high-quality images of the yacht shot from many angles. Also, boaters will need to develop a nice advertisement that describes the watercraft and its qualities.

It’s critical to explain the boat’s condition and to point out any flaws, such as cracks or ripping in the cover. All you have to do now is put your boat up for sale and search for a buyer.

In most cases, you will be able to sell it off pretty quickly. You might also need to develop a website where people can go to learn more about the fiberglass boat you’re offering.

It’s worth noting that when a fiberglass boat becomes increasingly outmoded, there will be far less interest in it.

How to Scrap a Fiberglass Boat

If you’ve chosen to scrap your boat by yourself in order to save money on disposal, this part below shows you steps to take and ensure that your work proceeds smoothly.

What you will need

Yet before the real procedure, boaters should pay attention to what to prepare for scrapping a fiberglass vessel. This list consists all tools needed for the process:

Now that you know the essential gadgets, here’s the step-by-step tutorial on how to recycle an old boat so you can get rid of it:

Step 1: Drain fluids

This comprises all of your boat’s internal components, such as gasoline, oil, as well as coolant. These hazardous fluids must be discarded separately and entirely if you are aiming to recycle the fiberglass materials.

While removing the fluids, bear in mind that they should not be mixed together. This might result in hazardous gasses that are harmful and toxic. Furthermore, the people at the hazardous dumpsite may give you a well-deserved scolding.

It’s also likely that larger vessels will have a drainage system onboard. Avoid emptying this system by yourself for the sake of your wellbeing and health.

Step 2: Removing all boat’s interiors

The battery should be the first item you remove. This helps you avoid any potential electric shocks and short circuits when disassembling the remaining parts of your vessel. Remove any metal components, motors, and everything not composed of fiberglass.

You can sell the recyclable pieces for a low price. However, if your yacht is older, many of the electrical components may be outdated. Hence, sending them to a junkyard is the best method.

Step 3: Cutting off the boat’s fiberglass components

Here’s where it gets tough. Unless you want to hurt yourself, you’ll really want to take it cautiously at first. That entails putting on the appropriate safety equipment when chopping up the watercraft. Make sure you have appropriate work gloves, protection eyewear, and full-face respirator.

Starting from the top of the boat, hack away and discard any structural parts that would make chopping up the bottom more difficult. After that, you may begin chopping up the hull. It’s important that the components aren’t too big or too small. The best size is as large as a regular dinner plate.

Step 4: Disposing of fiberglass pieces

Even tiny boats can create a significant amount of fiberglass. As a result, your typical trash bag may not be large enough. Call your local waste collection firm and inquire about renting a skip. They will bring it to your house and you can begin filling the skip with fiberglass materials.

When you are finished, the waste disposal firm will come back and collect the skip, including the fiberglass. They’ll also be in charge of identifying a suitable location to dispose of the remainder of your polyester vessel.

Other Tips About Fiberglass Boat Recycling

You may come across sites that recommend the following methods. However, we advise that you never consider them to dispose of your old vessel.

1. Burning

Burning fiberglass emits toxic fumes, so in many towns and nations, it is prohibited. Besides the possibility of being punished, getting rid of your old composite watercraft this way is terrible for the environment.

2. Abandoning

What if you simply leave it in the middle of nowhere? That appears to be a viable option. A boat, on the other hand, has many traits that might assist law enforcement in tracing it back to its owner. You might risk substantial jail time and hefty fines if authorities figure out you are the owner of that yacht.

3. Sinking

While some people believe that sunken vessels might provide a home for fish or even help corals thrive, the major issue is that sinking your vessel intentionally could be considered unlawful.

While searching for fiberglass vessel disposal solutions, no matter how convincing it seems to sink your boat in the ocean, avoid breaching the law.

Conclusion

How to get rid of a fiberglass boat? After reading this article, I believe that each of you have your own answer. There are so many ways to dispose of an old fiberglass watercraft, but it is essential for boaters to pay serious attention to certain regulations and laws to avoid unwanted violation.

We hope that the above information is useful for your boating experience. Did you enjoy the article? Do you want to add anything else? Please let us know and leave a comment below.