Short answer: Harbor Marine refinishes boats for Gainesville and Hall County owners in our Buford shop: faded hulls, consoles and helms on dock, lift and boathouse boats. Call (770) 967-8495 for a quote.
Boats that have been around
Hall County holds about 60 percent of Lake Lanier, and plenty of Gainesville boats have spent many seasons at the same dock or in the same boathouse. They run well and the owners know them inside out, but the finish shows its age. Refinishing lets you keep a boat you trust and make it look right again.
What we refinish
- Hull sides and topsides on older boats.
- Consoles and helms.
- Areas around old repairs.
- Bottom repair and painting.
How the job goes
Older Gainesville boats often carry decades of repairs. We start by finding them, testing for soft spots and checking fittings for leaks that could stain a new finish. Repairs come first, then sanding, fairing and masking. The finish goes on in the shop and cures before the boat heads back north to its dock or boathouse.
Boathouse boats
A covered slip or boathouse cuts sun damage a lot, so these boats often hold their color. But droppings, dust and moisture under the roof can stain and dull the finish over time. A refinish clears that up, and regular cleaning afterward keeps it fresh.
From the north end to the shop
Our shop is in Buford, at the south end of the lake. Boats at north-end docks come out at a ramp or marina, then travel on a trailer down I-985. If you need help, see boat transport in Gainesville.
Timing
Book over the winter so the boat is back at the dock by spring.
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.
- Haul-out and transport.
Leaks and stains around fittings
On older boats, water often seeps around cleats, rails and windows and leaves streaks down the hull. Repainting over those streaks without fixing the leak just brings them back. We rebed fittings that leak during the refinish, so the new finish stays clean.
Older gel coat
Gel coat on boats that have been around for decades can be thin in places from years of polishing. We check thickness and condition before deciding how to refinish, since thin areas need more prep or a different approach.
Back to the boathouse
When the boat goes back to a boathouse or covered slip, keep the cover handy for days when the boat sits outside, and clean droppings and dust promptly so they do not stain.
Is it worth it on an older boat?
If the engine, drive and hull structure are sound, a refinish is often a good investment in a boat you plan to keep. If the boat has deeper problems, we will tell you so you can decide what makes sense. We would rather give you a straight answer than sell a refinish the boat does not need.
Rub rails and trim
On older boats, worn rub rails and faded trim can make a fresh hull finish look out of place. While the boat is in the shop, it can make sense to replace or refresh them too, so the whole boat looks finished. Ask about it when we review the refinish plan.
What to send first
Before the trip down to Buford, send photos of each side of the boat, the deck, the helm and any streaks or damage. Tell us whether it lives at a dock, on a lift or in a boathouse, and whether you need help with the haul-out. With that information, we can plan the scope and timeline so the boat moves once and returns to the north end finished. If you are unsure whether a refinish makes sense, the photos also let us give you an honest first opinion. Owners can also call (770) 967-8495 to talk it through before sending anything. We are happy to answer questions first.
Related and nearby
Gainesville owners often pair a refinish with fiberglass work. Nearby, we also refinish boats in Flowery Branch, on Lake Lanier and in Dahlonega. Damage under the paint is handled by our gel coat repair in Gainesville team, and a detail in Gainesville keeps new paint protected. See all our boat repair in Gainesville, the main boat painting page, or get in touch.