What our boat removal service covers in Chicago
At Captain Tom's, we know that removing a boat is rarely as simple as it sounds. A vessel sitting at a Chicago marina or taking up space on private property turns into a real headache fast, with fees stacking up and no clear way forward. Whatever type of boat you're dealing with, we offer professional boat removal services that take the stress off your hands and handle everything the right way.
We manage the job from start to finish, and we keep you in the loop the whole time. Our boat removal service leaves the site clean and the job done. No loose ends, no surprises.
How our boat removal process works, start to finish
Here's exactly how our removal process works, from the first call to final cleanup.
Site check and planning
Before anything moves, we come out and look at the actual situation. Dock access, water depth, surrounding structures, whether you're at a marina or a private slip — all of it factors into how we plan the job. Removing a boat from a tight urban waterway like Chicago's is different every time, and we size up the type of boat and site conditions before we commit to a timeline.
Removal and boat hauling
Once we know what we're working with, we coordinate the right equipment and crew for the lift and transport. Boat hauling in Chicago means dealing with city permits, tight roads, and sometimes tricky loading angles. We handle all of that. The goal is getting your boat off the water and onto the trailer without damage to the dock, the vessel, or anything nearby.
Dismantle and material handling
Some boats aren't worth transporting whole. When that's the case, we dismantle the vessel on-site and sort the materials by type — metals, fiberglass, fluids, hardware. We dismantle carefully so hazardous materials don't end up in the water or left behind on your property. Everything gets hauled off properly. Nothing gets dumped.
Closeout and proof of completion
When the work is done, we walk the site with you. We want you to see the slip or yard exactly as it was left, cleared and clean. You get documentation confirming the boat is gone and disposed of correctly. No loose ends, no follow-up calls chasing paperwork. You're done, and you've got proof of it.
Why Chicago trusts our professional boat removal
Frequently Asked Questions: Boat Removal in Chicago
The price depends on three things: the size of the boat, its condition (whether it's still floating or sitting on land), and how easy it is for our equipment to reach it. Before we do anything, we give you a free, honest, upfront written estimate so you know exactly what to expect. No hidden fees, ever.
We remove powerboats, sailboats, pontoons, jet skis, and abandoned hulls. It doesn't matter what type of boat it is or what shape it's in, whether it's on a trailer, sitting in the water, or parked in a backyard. If you've got an unwanted boat taking up space, we'll come get it.
Yes. Tight marina slips, backyards without direct road access, muddy shorelines, we've worked in all of them. We assess the site ahead of time and bring the right equipment and plan to complete the removal safely, no matter what the conditions look like.
Very little is needed on your end. Just remove any personal belongings from the boat and make sure we have clear access on the scheduled day. We handle all the technical preparation from there.