Short answer: Harbor Marine repairs and services boat engines for Alpharetta owners at home, in storage lots, at Lake Lanier slips and at our Buford shop. Call or text (770) 967-8495 to book.
Engines that wait for the weekend
An Alpharetta boat often sits for a week or more between trips, whether on a trailer in a storage lot or in a slip up at the lake. Engines do not like sitting. Fuel ages, batteries drain, seals dry out and moisture builds up. The first sign is usually on a Saturday morning, when the engine cranks slowly, runs rough or will not idle.
The fix is steady, simple care: a yearly service, treated fuel, a healthy battery and an eye on the cooling system. We handle all of that, and we track down the cause when something has already gone wrong.
Where we do the work
For trailer boats parked at home or in a lot, our mobile service in Alpharetta can usually do oil changes, impeller work, belts, battery tests and diagnostics on site. For boats in a Lanier slip, many of the same jobs can be done at the dock. When the engine needs to come out, needs a bench or needs time in the shop, it comes to us at 6516 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford.
Hard starts and rough running
Most hard-start calls come down to a few things: a weak battery or bad connection, stale fuel, a clogged fuel filter, or ignition parts that are worn. Rough running at speed can be fuel, ignition or air. We test before we replace parts, so you pay to fix the cause, not to swap parts until the problem goes away.
Overheating
If the temperature climbs, the most common causes are a worn raw-water impeller, a stuck thermostat or a blocked intake. Trailer boats can pick up sand and debris at the ramp. Boats that sit in a slip can grow weeds and shells around the intake. If you see the gauge rise, slow down, shut down when it is safe and let it cool. Then call before running it hard again.
A yearly service covers
- Oil and filter change.
- Raw-water impeller and cooling check.
- Thermostat and gaskets.
- Belts, hoses and clamps.
- Fuel filter and fuel-water separator.
- Battery and charging test.
- Spark plugs and ignition, where due.
Battery and charging problems
A battery that dies at the slip is a common complaint. Bilge pumps, stereos, lights and electronics all draw power, and short runs on the weekend may not put it all back. We test the battery, the charging output and any parasitic drains. On boats kept in the water, a battery switch turned off when you leave and a small solar or shore-power charger can help.
Running the engine on the trailer
Never start a raw-water-cooled engine without water to the cooling system, even for a few seconds. The impeller can be destroyed almost at once. If you test the engine at home, use flush muffs or a test tank and keep it at idle. We bring what we need to test engines safely on site.
What affects an engine job
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Routine service versus finding a fault.
- Where the work can be done: home, lot, lake or shop.
- Engine type and how easy it is to reach.
- Parts we find worn along the way.
Warning lights and alarms
Newer engines log fault codes when something goes wrong. If a light or buzzer comes on, write down what it showed and when, and whether the engine lost power. That helps us find the fault faster when we plug in.
Related and nearby
If the boat has a sterndrive, have the drive checked at the same time with sterndrive repair in Alpharetta. In the fall, book winterization in Alpharetta.
Up GA 400, we also cover engine repair in Cumming, and to the east, in Suwanee. For boats kept in the water, see engine repair on Lake Lanier, and if you are near our shop, see Buford. Our Alpharetta boat repair page lists everything we do for owners in town, and the main service page covers the details. You can always reach us here.