Short answer: Harbor Marine details boats right in their Lake Lanier slips and docks, from waterline stains and oxidation to interiors and ceramic coating. Call or text (770) 967-8495.
Lake life is hard on a finish
Lanier draws more than 7.5 million visitors a year, according to the Corps of Engineers, and a lot of them are out on boats on summer weekends. That means long hours in direct sun, lake water drying on the hull, and plenty of sunscreen, snacks and wet towels aboard. All of it shows up on the finish and the upholstery by the end of the season.
The waterline line
Boats kept in the water pick up a scum line at the waterline. When the lake level moves, that line moves with it, leaving a band of staining where the hull sat for weeks at a time. After heavy rain, runoff can add a brown tint. Removing that line without scrubbing through the gel coat is one of the first things we do on a Lanier detail.
Sun, oxidation and coating
Hours on open water fade gel coat. If a hand rubbed across the hull comes away chalky, the finish is oxidized. Compounding and polishing bring back the gloss. A ceramic coating over the corrected finish helps it stay that way. It sheds water and grime and slows sun fading.
For a slip-kept boat, a coating also makes the regular wash-down much quicker.
Detailing at the slip
- Hull and deck washed, waterline cleaned.
- Oxidation removed and the finish polished.
- Ceramic coating applied if you choose it.
- Vinyl, carpet and helm cleaned, with mildew treated.
Most of that work can happen where the boat sits. Some hull work below the waterline is easier with the boat out, and we will tell you if that applies.
Keeping it clean between details
A few habits stretch the time between details on a slip-kept boat. Rinse the deck and hull with fresh water after each trip. Wipe down vinyl so sunscreen does not bake in. Keep a cover on when the boat is not in use. Clean the waterline every few weeks before staining sets. On a coated boat, a gentle wash is usually all it takes to bring back the shine.
End-of-season detail
Before the boat is winterized or wrapped, a detail removes a summer of grime so it does not sit all winter. It is also the best time to spot chips and cracks, because the hull is clean and easy to inspect.
The swim platform and non-skid
On Lanier, the swim platform gets a workout: wet feet, sandals, coolers, tubes and wakeboards, all day long. Platforms and non-skid decks collect a mix of lake grime and sunscreen that sets in the texture. We give these areas a proper scrub as part of a Lanier detail, so the boat feels clean where people actually walk.
What affects a Lanier detail
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- How long the boat has been in the water, and how heavy the waterline line is.
- Sun exposure in the slip, which drives oxidation.
- Interior condition after a summer of use.
- Whether you add a ceramic coating.
Nearby and related
If the detail turns up chips or gouges, those go to gel coat repair on Lake Lanier. At the end of the season, a detail is a good time to book winterization on Lake Lanier.
Owners close to the shop can see detailing in Buford or Flowery Branch, and boaters on the Forsyth side can see Cumming. Our main detailing and ceramic coating page has more on the process. Contact us to schedule.