Alabama has 264,000 registered boats split between two very different boating environments. The Gulf Coast — Mobile Bay, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Perdido Bay — is saltwater and brackish. Inland Alabama is freshwater, anchored by Lake Martin’s 750 miles of shoreline, Lake Guntersville, and Wheeler Lake on the Tennessee River.
The Mobile area is the centre of Alabama’s parts market, anchored by two operations connected through three generations of the same family. Inland, Talladega covers the Lake Martin and Logan Martin corridor. Parts from Gulf Coast yards carry saltwater exposure comparable to Florida; parts from inland Alabama lakes carry the same low-corrosion advantage as Tennessee or Georgia. You can also browse the Boat Salvage Yards Directory to find marine recyclers across the United States.
Alabama Boat Salvage Yards — Quick List
| Yard | Location | Phone | Specialty | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBR Parts and Marine | Semmes | 251-645-2050 | Remanufactured powerheads, gearcases, sterndrives — national dealer network | Remanufacturer + dealer supply |
| Outboard Repair & Salvage | Mobile | 251-341-0384 | New and used outboard parts, all major brands | Outboard parts specialist |
| Alabama Boat Salvage | Talladega | 912-398-3215 | Outboards, trailers, propellers, mixed marine/auto | Salvage yard |
1. OBR Parts and Marine, Inc. — Semmes, AL
Address: 7851 Crary Station Rd, Semmes, AL 36575
Phone: 251-645-2050
Fax: 251-645-2084
Email: [email protected]
Website: obrparts.com
Founded: 1982 (BBB filed 1986)
OBR Parts and Marine is the largest marine parts operation in Alabama and one of the most significant remanufacturers in the southeastern US, operating from Semmes — a Mobile suburb — since 1982. The company describes itself as the industry leader in new and remanufactured outboard powerheads, gearcases, and sterndrive units, supplying a nationwide network of authorised dealers under the “DealerNet” programme. Revenue is estimated at $7.9 million annually with 20–49 employees.
OBR also operates under the Red Rhino Marine Parts brand, supplying both new and used power packs to dealers across the country. The remanufacturing focus means components come with a different quality assurance than raw pulled parts — gearcases and powerheads are rebuilt to a dealer-grade standard before resale. Steve Chambless has run the operation for over four decades.
For Gulf Coast boaters and dealers needing a remanufactured powerhead, gearcase, or sterndrive unit rather than a used pull, OBR is the primary Alabama source and ships through its dealer network nationally. Email [email protected] or call 251-645-2050 with the engine model and application.
2. Outboard Repair & Salvage, Inc. — Mobile, AL
Address: 2397 Wolf Ridge Rd, Mobile, AL 36618
Phone: 251-341-0384
Website: outboardrepairandsalvage.com
Founded: March 1993 (BBB filed 1999)
Outboard Repair & Salvage has operated on Wolf Ridge Road in Mobile since March 1993, founded by brothers Mike and David Chambless — part of the same family network as OBR Parts and Marine in nearby Semmes. The shop carries new, used, and remanufactured parts across Johnson and Evinrude, Mercury and Mariner, Chrysler and Force, Mercruiser, OMC sterndrives, and Yamaha, alongside Red Rhino Marine power packs sourced through the family’s Semmes operation.
Reviews consistently highlight deep outboard knowledge — customers describe owner David Chambless as someone who “knows more about outboard motors than any boat motor mechanic” they have dealt with, and the shop’s standard response to a parts enquiry is to either have the part in stock or locate one. The 4.2-star rating across 61 reviews reflects strong technical reputation, though as a small owner-operated shop, scheduling can occasionally run behind — call ahead to confirm availability before driving out.
For Mobile Bay and Gulf Coast boaters, Outboard Repair & Salvage is the walk-in counterpart to OBR’s wholesale remanufacturing operation — together the two Chambless family businesses cover both the dealer-supply and direct-to-boater sides of the Mobile area outboard parts market.
3. Alabama Boat Salvage — Talladega, AL
Address: 146 Broadleaf Dr, Talladega, AL 35160
Phone: 912-398-3215
Website: alabama-boat-salvage.business.site
Founded: 30+ years operating
Alabama Boat Salvage is a family-owned marine and automotive salvage yard in Talladega, at the geographic centre of Alabama and within reach of the Lake Martin and Logan Martin lake corridor. The yard has specialised in the sale, repair, and salvage of boats, boat parts, and marine equipment for over 30 years, with an inventory covering outboard motors, trailers, propellers, and motor mounts.
Like many smaller Deep South salvage operations, Alabama Boat Salvage operates a mixed marine and automotive yard — used auto parts, engines, transmissions, and scrap metal are stocked alongside the marine inventory. On-site repairs and installations are available for both boats and vehicles. The Google Business listing shows the yard open until 5:00 pm with same-day responses.
For inland Alabama boaters around Lake Martin, Logan Martin Lake, and the Birmingham-Anniston corridor, this is the most accessible salvage yard for general outboard and trailer components. Call 912-398-3215 to confirm current inventory before visiting — the listed number carries a Georgia area code but is the business’s confirmed current contact.
Types of Boat Salvage Sources in Alabama
Remanufacturers with dealer networks — Operations that rebuild powerheads, gearcases, and sterndrive units to dealer-grade standard and supply a national network. OBR Parts and Marine in Semmes is the primary example in Alabama and one of the larger such operations in the southeast.
Outboard parts specialists — Walk-in shops carrying new, used, and remanufactured outboard components with strong brand-specific knowledge. Outboard Repair & Salvage in Mobile covers the Gulf Coast market.
Mixed marine and automotive salvage yards — Smaller family-owned yards that combine boat parts with general automotive salvage, common across the Deep South. Alabama Boat Salvage in Talladega serves the inland lake corridor this way.
Boat removal and disposal contractors — Covered separately in the boat removal section below.
Best Areas in Alabama to Find Used Boat Parts
Mobile / Semmes — Gulf Coast — The strongest cluster in the state. OBR Parts and Marine in Semmes and Outboard Repair & Salvage in Mobile are run by members of the same family and together cover both wholesale remanufactured parts and walk-in outboard service for Mobile Bay, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and the broader Alabama Gulf Coast.
Talladega / central Alabama — Lake Martin and Logan Martin corridor — Alabama Boat Salvage in Talladega is the primary inland resource, roughly equidistant from Birmingham, Anniston, and the Lake Martin shoreline. Lake Martin’s 750 miles of shoreline make it one of the largest reservoirs by shoreline length in the US.
Huntsville / Decatur — Wheeler Lake and Guntersville Lake — No verified active marine salvage or parts yard was identified in the Huntsville-Decatur corridor at the time of research, despite Wheeler Lake and Guntersville Lake being among Alabama’s largest and most heavily used reservoirs. Boaters in this region are best served by Alabama Boat Salvage in Talladega or by Tennessee’s TVA-area operations across the state line.
Birmingham — No dedicated marine salvage yard was found in the Birmingham metro at the time of research. Alabama Boat Salvage in Talladega, roughly 50 miles east, is the nearest verified option.
When to Use an Alabama Boat Salvage Source
- When sourcing a remanufactured powerhead, gearcase, or sterndrive unit for a Gulf Coast boat
- When replacing Johnson, Evinrude, Mercury, OMC, or Yamaha outboard components at below-dealer pricing
- When a Lake Martin or Logan Martin area boat needs trailer, propeller, or motor mount parts
- When sourcing Red Rhino Marine power packs for an older outboard
- When a derelict or unwanted boat needs to be removed from a Gulf Coast marina or inland lake property responsibly
Tips for Buying Used Boat Parts in Alabama
- Match the source to the water — Gulf Coast parts carry saltwater exposure comparable to Florida; inspect electrical connectors and drive components carefully. Inland Alabama lake parts (Lake Martin, Logan Martin) carry lower corrosion risk similar to Tennessee or Georgia.
- OBR for remanufactured components — If a raw used gearcase or powerhead feels risky, OBR’s remanufactured units come with dealer-grade rebuild standards. Email [email protected] with the engine model.
- Outboard Repair & Salvage for Gulf Coast walk-in service — Call 251-341-0384 ahead of visiting; the small owner-operated team works best with advance notice on specific parts.
- The Chambless family connection — OBR (Semmes) and Outboard Repair & Salvage (Mobile) are run by members of the same family and both carry Red Rhino Marine parts. If one doesn’t have what you need, mention you’ve already checked with the other — there may be informal cross-referral.
- Alabama Boat Salvage for inland trailers and props — Call 912-398-3215 before driving to Talladega to confirm current stock for trailer and propeller needs.
- Bring engine model and application details — All three Alabama operations work faster with exact engine model, horsepower, and the boat type the part is going onto.
Yards No Longer Operating in Alabama
Alabama’s dedicated marine salvage market is thinner than its 264,000 registered boats might suggest, particularly away from the Mobile area. No verified active salvage or parts yard was found serving the Huntsville-Decatur Wheeler Lake corridor or the Birmingham metro — both significant boating markets.
A Google Maps listing for a “Ray’s Marine” near Huntsville, close to Wheeler Lake, appears on the map but returns no business records, no reviews, no phone number, and no website in any directory. The listing may represent a yard that has changed ownership, closed informally, or never operated as a registered business — without any way to verify or contact it, it is not included in this guide. Boaters in north Alabama are best directed to Alabama Boat Salvage in Talladega or to Tennessee’s TVA-area operations across the state line.
Boat Removal Services in Alabama
If you need a boat removed rather than parts sourced, Boats with Causes accepts Alabama vessels statewide with free pickup and offers donors a potential tax deduction: 888-228-7320 / boatswithcauses.org
Nearby States with More Boat Salvage Yards
If you can’t find what you need in Alabama, neighbouring states offer additional options. Florida has 11 yards covering the Gulf Coast and Atlantic side, including Don’s Marine Surplus in Clearwater across 15+ acres. Georgia has Lanier Marine Liquidators near Lake Lanier — one of the largest inland salvage operations in the southeast, accessible for boaters near the Alabama-Georgia border. Tennessee covers the TVA lake system with Bunch Marine in Harriman serving the broader Tennessee Valley, useful for north Alabama boaters on Wheeler Lake and Guntersville Lake near the state line.
