Short answer: Harbor Marine helps Alpharetta owners move boats to our Buford shop for repairs, from home, a storage lot or a Lake Lanier slip. Call or text (770) 967-8495 to plan a move.
When transport makes sense
Many Alpharetta owners tow their own boats, but not everyone has a truck that can handle it, or the time to make the trip. Some boats are too big to tow comfortably. Others have trailers that are not road-ready, or are sitting in a marina slip with a problem that needs the shop. Transport help fills that gap.
How it works
- Reach us at (770) 967-8495 with the boat's length, where it sits and the work it needs.
- Send photos of the boat and trailer.
- We plan how it gets to the shop.
- The work is done at 6516 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford.
- We plan how it gets back.
From the lake
If the boat is in a slip or at a dock on Lanier, it has to come out of the water first. The boat is pulled at a ramp or marina and loaded onto a trailer for the road. Lake level matters: when the water is low, some ramps are not usable for bigger boats. We take that into account.
Check the trailer
If the boat moves on its own trailer, check it first. Tires age even with good tread, so look at the date code on the sidewall. Spin each wheel by hand and listen for grinding. Lights, coupler, safety chains and winch strap should all be in good shape. If something looks wrong, tell us before the move.
Prepare the boat
- Remove loose gear and secure what stays aboard.
- Lower antennas and fold or remove the bimini.
- Secure or remove the cover.
- Tell us about known leaks or damage.
- Tell us if the boat cannot run.
Combining transport and repairs
If the boat is making the trip, make the most of it. Have the drive checked while it is in for engine work, or fix that chip in the gel coat at the same time. Tell us your full list when you book so we can plan time and parts.
Timing
Spring and fall are the busiest times to move boats, as owners launch and haul out. If you can, plan moves for mid-summer or mid-winter, or call early in busy seasons.
What affects transport
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Boat size and weight.
- Where the boat is and where it is going.
- The condition of the trailer, if it has one.
- Season and timing.
What to tell us when you call
Give us the length, beam and rough weight of the boat, and how it is kept: trailer, lift, slip or dock. Tell us if the trailer is road-ready and whether the boat can run under its own power. Let us know the repair it needs and any date you are working toward, such as a summer trip. Photos of the boat, the trailer and the problem area help us plan before anyone shows up.
After the repair
When the work is done, we contact you to arrange the return, whether that is back to your driveway, your storage lot or the water.
Insurance and paperwork
Before any move, check that your boat insurance covers it while on the road and at the shop, and have the registration handy. If the boat is financed, your lender may also want to know where it is kept. Ask your insurer if you are not sure what is covered.
Related and nearby
Transport often goes with drive repair in Alpharetta or gel coat repair in Alpharetta.
Up GA 400, we also cover transport in Cumming, and to the east, in Suwanee. For boats kept in the water, see transport 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.