Short answer: Harbor Marine refinishes boats for Dahlonega owners in our Buford shop: hulls, consoles and helms, often as a winter project while the boat is off the water. Call (770) 967-8495 for a quote.
A winter project for a mountain boat
Dahlonega boats often spend long winters in a barn, garage or lot. That downtime is the perfect window for a refinish. Bring the boat to our shop at the end of the season, and it can be repaired, prepped and refinished well before the first warm weekend.
What we refinish
- Faded or chalky hull sides.
- Consoles, helms and dash panels.
- Patchy old repairs.
- Outdrive prep and painting.
How the job goes
When a Dahlonega boat comes in at the end of the season, we wash off storage dust and lake film, then inspect for damage from towing and the season on the water. Repairs, sanding and masking follow, and the finish is applied and cured over the winter. By spring, the boat is ready to head back up the mountain or straight to the lake.
Why not paint it in the barn?
Cold, dust and humidity make it hard to get a good finish outside a controlled space. Paint and gel coat need the right conditions to go on and cure. That is why refinishing is done in our shop.
Getting the boat down the mountain
From Dahlonega, our Buford shop is at the far end of the lake. Many owners drop the boat off on the way home from the last lake trip of the year. If you cannot tow, see boat transport in Dahlonega.
Bundling work
Since the trip is long, plan as much as you can for one visit: engine service, drive work, fiberglass repair and the refinish all at once.
Pricing
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- The area being refinished.
- Repairs first.
- Prep.
- Transport, if needed.
Cure time and cold weather
Paint and gel coat need the right temperature to cure well. A cold barn in the hills is a tough place for that. In our shop, the finish cures in controlled conditions, which is why a winter refinish there works so well.
Interior touches
While the boat is in, think about the helm, dash and other surfaces you see from the seat. Refinishing these at the same time as the hull gives the boat a consistent look inside and out.
Storing a fresh finish
Back home, keep the boat dry and covered with a vented cover. Clean off pollen and leaves in spring so they do not stain the new finish.
Planning the trip
Many Dahlonega owners bring the boat down after the last trip of the season and pick it up in spring on the way to the lake. That keeps the boat off mountain roads in winter weather and gives the refinish plenty of time.
Repairs from the season
A season of towing and launching leaves its marks: stone chips on the bow, ramp scrapes and bunk wear. These are repaired before the refinish so the new finish starts on a clean surface.
Rub rails and trim
While the boat is in for a refinish, look at the rub rail and trim. Cracked or loose rub rail lets water in and can scuff a new finish. Replacing or resecuring trim during the refinish gives the boat a clean, finished edge.
What to send first
Send photos of each side of the boat, the helm and any damage, and tell us where the boat is stored. If it is in a barn or garage, a photo of the space helps us plan pickup if transport is needed. We will outline the scope and a realistic timeline, so the boat can come down after the season and go back up ready for spring.
Related and nearby
Dahlonega owners often book a refinish with winterization. Nearby, we also refinish boats in Gainesville, in Cumming and on Lake Lanier. Damage under the paint is handled by our gel coat repair in Dahlonega team, and a detail in Dahlonega keeps new paint protected. See all our boat repair in Dahlonega, the main boat painting page, or get in touch.