Donating a boat to charity question. - The Hull Truth

LBI Andy · 05-29-2007, 10:51 AM

Has anyone ever donated a used boat to charity? Can you donate a boat if the engine is not working properly? Any information is appreciated.

lostmyedge · 05-29-2007, 02:36 PM

yes you can donate it even if the motor is not working, most places will require a trailer for the boat.

cegilmore · 05-29-2007, 03:14 PM

Yes - I donated a boat with a locked up engine and a rotten transom. I informed the organization of this prior to donating it and they said that it didn't matter as they were just going to auction if off as is.

I actually saw it about 6 months later with a newer engine on the back which would have required a new transom. Worked out well for everyone. I got rid of a boat that I didn't want and took the small tax deduction. The organization recieved the cash from the auction and the buyer eventually got a decent boat.

bigfoot2 · 05-29-2007, 03:38 PM

I run a brain cancer charity. We used to take boats and cars as donations, but a few years ago the tax laws changed to make it less attractive. In the old days, you could donate a boat or car in bad shape to us, and claim the blue book value of the vehicle as the tax deduction.. however, now the deduction is limited to what we actually get for the vehicle... and we (and most charities) don't have the time to actually sell the vehicles - we let a broker take it on consignment and get almost nothing on vehicles in bad shape.. so we don't encourage this now..
An alternative, if you have a charity you want to support, is to put the boat up for sale on missionfish.org and you designate the charity to get 100% (or less - up to you) of the proceeds. Describe it honestly with all of the problems so nobody is disapointed. You do the actuall sale, the charity gets much more money than if you gave them the vehicle directly, and your tax deduction is the entire amount of the sale.

05-30-2007, 12:09 AM

Yes, I donated my 25' AquaSport Cuddy with a blown 225 Seadrive, plus, a running Seadrive to replace it. Look up BOAT ANGEL, they sell alot on ebay also, just be sure to keep on them for your paper work for your taxes!!