Reclaiming the Driveway: We Remove an Old Wayfarer Dinghy and Rusty Trailer

Parking Space Reclaimed 

Hidden away in a driveway in West Sussex, a wooden Wayfarer dinghy had spent the last few years gathering moss rather than memories. While the Wayfarer is a classic design known for its durability, wood requires constant care. Unfortunately, this particular hull had passed the point of no return and was well beyond economic repair.

For the owner, the boat had transitioned from a cherished project to a “driveway blocker.” The dream of restoration had faded, replaced by the practical need to reclaim his parking space. He called Boatbreakers to handle the disposal of both the vessel and its crumbling transport.

This collection required a slightly different approach than a marina lift. The Boatbreakers team arrived with our specialist recovery trailer, backing up the driveway to meet the derelict dinghy. Because the boat’s own trailer was rusted solid and unroadworthy, we couldn’t tow it away.

Scrap Sandwich

Instead, the team winched the rotten wooden hull onto the bed of our trailer first. With the boat secured as the base, we then tackled the owner’s old trailer. It was lifted and stacked directly on top of the dinghy. It was a distinctively efficient “scrap sandwich”—wood on the bottom, scrap metal on top.

Within an hour, the driveway was swept clean and empty for the first time in years. The Wayfarer and its rusty trailer were hauled away together, destined for separation and recycling at our yard, solving two problems in one trip.

Project Highlights

• The Challenge: A wooden Wayfarer dinghy had been sitting on a driveway in West Sussex for years. The boat was rotten beyond repair, and the trailer it sat on was rusted and unroadworthy, effectively blocking the owner’s parking space.

• The Solution: The owner contacted Boatbreakers to clear the driveway completely. We deployed a team with a recovery trailer capable of handling non-rolling loads.

• The Logistics: Since the boat’s trailer could not be towed, we had to get creative. We winched the dinghy onto the bed of our recovery trailer first. We then lifted the owner’s old, rusty trailer and stacked it on top of the boat, securing both for transport.

• The Outcome: The “scrap sandwich” was hauled away safely. The owner got his driveway back immediately, and both the rotten timber and the scrap metal trailer were taken to our yard for separation and recycling.