Marine & Boatyard Scrap Metal in South Florida
Boats are full of high-value, corrosion-resistant metal: bronze propellers, through-hulls and fittings; 316 stainless rigging and rails; marine-grade aluminum hulls and superstructure; lead keel ballast; and copper wiring. Copper and bronze pay the most per pound; aluminum pays less but adds up by the ton. Scrap City buys marine metal and arranges boatyard pickup across South Florida from Pompano Beach and Delray Beach.
South Florida has one of the highest concentrations of boats in the country, and every marina, boatyard and repair shop generates marine metal — from a single replaced propeller to a whole vessel at the end of its life. The metals on a boat are chosen to survive saltwater, and that is exactly why they hold real scrap value long after the hull is done.
What metals are on a boat?
The valuable metals on a boat are bronze and brass (propellers, through-hulls, seacocks and fittings), 316 stainless steel (rails, cleats, rigging and fasteners), marine-grade aluminum (hulls, masts and hardware), lead (keel ballast and batteries), and copper (wiring). Each is bought by alloy, so sorting pays.
| Component | Typical metal | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Propeller | Bronze / NiBrAl (or stainless, aluminum) | High |
| Through-hulls, seacocks, fittings | Bronze / brass | High |
| Rails, cleats, rigging, fasteners | 316 stainless steel | Premium stainless |
| Hull, mast, superstructure | Marine-grade aluminum | Volume |
| Keel ballast | Lead | Heavy, steady |
| Wiring & harness | Copper | Highest per pound |
| Batteries | Lead-acid | Core value |
Why marine metal resists saltwater (and why that matters for value)
Manufacturers alloy marine metals to resist corrosion. They add molybdenum to Type 316 stainless steel, giving it much better resistance to saltwater pitting than standard 304 stainless steel (Industrial Metal Supply). That’s why boat hardware typically uses Type 316 stainless steel, and why recyclers pay premium prices for it. Manufacturers also produce marine bronzes and silicon- or manganese-bronze alloys that resist both corrosion and biofouling. They design marine-grade aluminum to withstand constant exposure to water. Because these alloys offer exceptional durability, recycling them makes far more sense than sending them to a landfill.
Which marine metals pay the most?
Copper wiring usually pays the most per pound, followed by bronze and brass propellers and fittings, then 316 stainless, with aluminum lower per pound but valuable in hull-sized quantities (industry pricing). Lead ballast is heavy and carries steady value by weight. A single large bronze propeller can be one of the most valuable pieces to come off a boat — and if it is still serviceable, it may be worth more resold than scrapped.
How to prep marine scrap
A little sorting turns a messy pile into a clean, well-paid load:
- Separate by metal — bronze, stainless, aluminum, copper and lead — into labeled containers.
- Remove batteries and drain fuel, oil and other fluids; handle hazardous fluids properly.
- Strip copper wiring where practical (see our how-to-strip-scrap-wire guide) to sell it as clean copper.
- Keep propellers and bronze fittings separate — they are high-value and easy to misplace in a mixed pile.
- Remember that fiberglass is not metal: on a whole boat the metal is stripped out and the fiberglass hull is disposed of separately.
Boatyard pickup in South Florida
If you manage a marina or boatyard, schedule a pickup for accumulated marine scrap or a stripped vessel instead of hauling it yourself. Scrap City provides bulk pickup and certified weighing throughout the coast from our Pompano Beach and Delray Beach locations. Turn a yard full of old propellers, rails, and wire into one convenient scheduled pickup.
PRICE ESTIMATE — NOT A QUOTE. Marine metal prices move daily with global markets and depend on alloy and cleanliness. Any figures are sector estimates, not an offer. Contact Scrap City for today’s price on your bronze, stainless, aluminum, copper or lead.
Dockside questions, answered
Where can I scrap a boat or marine metal in South Florida?
At a yard that buys marine alloys by type. Scrap City buys bronze, stainless, aluminum, lead and copper and offers boatyard pickup from Pompano Beach and Delray Beach.
What is the most valuable metal on a boat?
Copper wiring per pound, then bronze propellers and fittings, then 316 stainless; aluminum is lower per pound but adds up by weight.
Is a boat propeller worth more than scrap?
A bronze or stainless propeller in serviceable condition can be worth more resold than scrapped. If it is damaged, it is sold by alloy weight.
What do I do with the fiberglass hull?
Fiberglass is not metal and has no scrap value; the metal is stripped out and the hull is disposed of separately.
Why is 316 stainless worth more than regular steel?
A: It is a nickel- and molybdenum-bearing stainless built to resist saltwater, so it is priced as premium stainless, not as steel (Industrial Metal Supply).
Clearing a boatyard or scrapping a vessel? Sort the bronze, stainless, aluminum and copper and ask about pickup. Call or message Scrap City at (+1) 954 330 9472 for today’s marine-metal pricing.
English 
Español 