Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a long history?

Our company Marine GRP Recycling Ltd,  was registered with Companies House in 2020 (reg no 13100399). You can read our Google reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aJdSu5ZWohK912Ng8 and our Facebook page history  here: https://www.facebook.com/boat.disposal.

What is Boat Re-Homing?

Re-homing is a  way to dispose of an unfinished project or an old boat at minimal cost to her current owner. It is done by passing the boat on to a new owner, who takes the boat for free but covers lifting, transport and any other expenses.

Why should I pay to give my boat away?

Giving a boat away even for free is time consuming and stressful: timewasters and dreamers are many. We will market your boat among the right audience, make contact with relevant charities and select prospective new owners shielding you from all the hassle. Using our services drastically diminishes the number of timewasters diverting your attention.

Why do we ask for a deposit on free boats from prospective owners?

When people see free boats, in many cases they get overexcited and promise to remove the boat. The time passes, they fail to follow through and stop responding to messages. To avoid such situations, we ask for a deposit which is refunded if the boat is removed or taken over within an agreed period of time.

How do we choose a new owner for a free boat?

Some boats get very popular, and we receive dozens of applications for re-homing. Our first priority is to offer the boat to the charities that follow us. Sometimes, people make monetary offers on the free boats, and we are happy to accept those on behalf of the boat owners. Finally, some people are willing to reserve a boat by putting down a deposit without a viewing, and they are always given priority as conducting viewings can be labour-intensive for the owner who simply wants to pass on the boat.

Are you a charity helping homeless people?

While we sympathise deeply with people in distressful situations, we are not such a charity. We are a for-profit limited company aiming to save sailing, motor and narrowboats from being abandoned or scrapped. We do work with specialised charities who use boat to help people with housing, like The Forces Veterans Afloat Charitable Trust. Please contact them if you need help of this kind.

Any Alternatives to Re-Homing?

If the boat is good enough you might wish to sell her either by yourself or with a broker.  If the boat is beyond re-homing the only other option is scrapping her. It is much more expensive and harms nature, that's why we try to avoid doing it: the problem is that GRP (fibreglass) boats cannot be properly recycled.

Can a Fibreglass Boat be Recycled?

Unfortunately, fibreglass boats cannot be recycled. The hull material, also known as GRP (glass-reinforced plastic), is not recyclable. The most environmentally-friendly option for disposing of fibreglass is to send it to Waste-to-Energy incineration plants, which is what Responsible Boat Disposal does.