Short answer: Harbor Marine details boats and applies ceramic coating for Gainesville owners at docks, lifts and driveways: waterline stains, oxidation, polish and cockpit care. Call (770) 967-8495.
What the lake does to a finish
A boat kept at a Gainesville dock spends the season in the sun and in the water. The sun breaks down gel coat until it looks chalky. The lake leaves a brown or yellow line at the waterline that gets harder to remove the longer it sits. Leaves, pollen and bird droppings collect on the deck, and spiders love covered docks. On top of that, cockpits take a beating from sunscreen and spilled drinks.
A good detail brings the finish back and adds protection, so the next cleaning is easier.
What a full detail covers
- Hull, deck and topside wash.
- Waterline stain removal.
- Oxidation removal and machine polish.
- Wax, sealant or ceramic coating.
- Vinyl cleaning and conditioning.
- Carpet, mats and storage lockers.
- Glass, metal and helm.
Detailing at the dock or lift
Most details can be done where the boat lives through mobile service in Gainesville. A boat on a lift is ideal, because the hull and waterline are out of the water and easy to reach. At a dock, we can do the topsides, deck and interior, and work on the waterline from the dock or a small platform. Let us know about dock power and water when you book.
Ceramic coating
A ceramic coating forms a hard, slick layer over polished gel coat. It helps resist UV and staining, and water and grime rinse off more easily. It takes careful prep: wash, decontaminate, polish and wipe down. Coatings also need dry weather to cure, so we plan coating work around the forecast.
Wax, sealant or coating
Wax is affordable and adds shine, but in full sun it may only last a couple of months. A polymer sealant lasts longer. A ceramic coating lasts the longest and costs the most. For a boat that sits at a dock all season, a sealant or coating usually makes more sense. We will help you choose based on how the boat is used and kept.
Mildew in the cockpit
Humid summers and covered boats are a recipe for mildew in seat storage and on vinyl. We clean it out and suggest ways to keep it from coming back, like leaving lids open to dry and using a vented cover.
Upkeep between details
Rinse the boat with fresh water after trips, wipe the waterline every few weeks so stains do not set, and keep the cover on between uses. Use soap made for boats. These small habits stretch the time between full details.
What affects a detail
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Boat size and layout.
- How much oxidation and staining there is.
- Wax, sealant or ceramic coating.
- Whether the boat is on a lift, at a dock or on land.
Covered docks and boathouses
Many Gainesville boats live under a covered dock or in a boathouse. A roof cuts sun damage a lot, which helps the gel coat last. But covered slips bring their own mess: spider webs, droppings from birds and bats in the rafters, and dust that settles on the deck. A quick rinse after each trip and a regular wipe-down keep it from staining. When we detail a boat under cover, we also pay close attention to the bimini and canvas, which collect the most debris.
Before you list it
Selling a Gainesville lake boat? A full detail first helps it photograph well and look cared for when buyers come down to the dock. Clean vinyl and a bright hull make a strong first impression.
Related and nearby
If the detail turns up chips or dock rash, our gel coat repair in Gainesville can fix them. Before winter, book winterization in Gainesville.
Heading south toward our shop, we also offer detailing in Flowery Branch and in Buford. Owners on the Forsyth shore can look at Cumming, and the lake-wide page covers detailing on Lake Lanier. Everything we offer Hall County owners is on our Gainesville boat repair page. For how the work is done step by step, see the main service page, or get in touch.