Donate a Boat

Select, ready-to-use vessels put Houston youth on the water

A Boat Can Be Your Biggest Gift

Next Century Sailing owns and maintains the vessels used by Houston-area Sea Scout units and youth programs. The right donated boat goes straight into service teaching young people seamanship and water safety — and your donation is tax-deductible.

Because we are a small, volunteer-run nonprofit, we can only accept boats that are ready to use. We are not able to take on restoration projects, and we cannot accept vessels without a title.

Boats We Can Accept

🚤

16' Jon Boat

  • • Mod-V or V-hull
  • • Sound hull and solid floors
  • • Needed for a special program project
🛥️

Ski Boat

  • • Capacity of 9 or more persons
  • • Inboard/outboard (I/O) drive
  • • Engine ready to go — starts and runs
  • • Clean, with solid floors
  • • Upholstery in good condition

Requirements for All Donations

  • ✓ Clear title in hand — we cannot accept a vessel without its title.
  • ✓ No restoration needed — the boat must be usable as-is, with no hull, floor, engine, or upholstery work required.
  • ✓ Photos before acceptance — please email current photos of the hull, floors, interior, and engine.
  • ✓ Inspection — acceptance is final only after we inspect the vessel in person.

We appreciate every offer, but to be good stewards of donor funds we must decline boats that don't meet these criteria. If your boat doesn't fit, a cash donation of any size still puts youth on the water.

Tax Deduction

Boat donations to Next Century Sailing, a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 99-4044233), are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We provide written acknowledgment for your records, including IRS Form 1098-C when required. Consult your tax advisor about how vessel-donation rules apply to your situation.

Have a Boat That Fits?

Email us photos and a short description — year, make, model, and where the boat is located — and we'll get back to you quickly.

Email Us About Your Boat