Short answer: Harbor Marine repairs gel coat and fiberglass for Cumming boats: dock rash, chips, cracks and strike damage. Small fixes can sometimes be done at the dock, and larger repairs go to our Buford shop. Call (770) 967-8495.
Two kinds of hull damage in Cumming
Lakefront boats in Cumming pick up dock rash: rub-rail scuffs, chafe at the waterline and chips at the bow from months against fenders and pilings. Trailer boats pick up a different set: keel and bow scrapes at the ramp, road-debris chips and bunk marks. Both are common on the Forsyth side of the lake, and both are worth fixing before water gets into the fiberglass underneath.
What we repair
- Rub-rail and hull-side scuffs from docks and fenders.
- Chips at the bow and transom.
- Stress cracks around cleats and rails.
- Keel scrapes from loading.
- Gouges and impact damage, including the fiberglass beneath.
How the repair goes
- Inspect the damage and check the fiberglass beneath.
- Clean and grind back to solid material.
- Fill, adding fiberglass where the damage goes deep.
- Fair the area to the hull's shape.
- Apply gel coat matched as closely as possible, then sand and polish to blend.
At the dock or in the shop
Some small chips and scuffs can be handled at your Cumming dock or in your driveway. Repairs that need grinding, glass work and curing time go to our shop at 6516 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford. Trailer boats can come straight in. For boats at a dock, ask about boat transport in Cumming.
Keeping the damage from coming back
For dock boats, adjust fenders as the lake level changes, because contact points move. For lift boats, check the bunks and cradle. For trailer boats, replace worn bunk carpet and load slowly on shallow ramps. A coat of wax or a ceramic coating in Cumming helps the finish handle light contact.
What affects a repair
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- How deep the damage goes.
- Where it is on the hull, and whether it is below the waterline.
- How faded the gel coat is, which affects color matching.
- Whether the boat needs to come to the shop.
A close-up photo, a wider shot and one with something for scale help us plan.
Lift and dock wear
Many Cumming boats sit on lifts, and a lift that is set up wrong can wear on the hull every time the boat goes up or down. Bunks that are too far apart or worn through, or a boat that sits crooked, can leave marks along the bottom. Docks cause their own damage: fenders that ride up in the wind, lines that let the boat swing into a piling, and docks that shift as the lake rises and falls. We point out the likely cause when we see the repair, so it does not happen again.
Before and after the repair
Before you bring the boat in, wash the damaged area so we can see it clearly. Send a few photos, including one from far enough away to show where on the hull it is. After the repair, give new gel coat a few weeks before applying wax, and avoid hard scrubbing on the spot while it settles in.
When it is more than gel coat
Most dock rash only touches the gel coat. A hard hit can go deeper and crack the fiberglass layers underneath. Signs include a spot that flexes when pressed, cracks that spread out like a star, or water weeping from the damage. Those need the damaged glass cut out and rebuilt before the finish goes back on. We will tell you which kind of repair your boat needs after we see it.
Related and nearby
If a strike also hit the drive, see sterndrive repair in Cumming.
Boaters on the Forsyth side can also see gel coat repair in Alpharetta or Suwanee, or on Lake Lanier for the whole lake. Owners near our shop can see Buford. Everything we do in town is on our Cumming boat repair page, and our main service page explains the process. Contact us anytime.