Short answer: Harbor Marine helps Dahlonega owners move boats to our Buford shop for repairs, from home, storage or the north end of Lake Lanier. Call or text (770) 967-8495 to plan a move.
A longer trip to the shop
From Dahlonega, our Buford shop is at the far end of the lake. For owners with a solid tow vehicle and a road-ready trailer, that is a planned drive. For bigger boats, trailers that have sat for years, or boats kept in the water, transport help makes the trip easier.
How it works
- Phone or text (770) 967-8495 with the boat's length, where it sits in Lumpkin County or on the lake, and the repair it needs.
- Send photos of the boat and trailer so we can judge the road trip.
- We line up the haul-out, if any, and the run south.
- The repair happens in our Buford shop.
- When it is finished, we arrange the trip back up to the hills or the lake.
Mountain roads and trailers
Long grades and curves are hard on trailers. Before a move, check tire age and pressure, grease the bearings, test the lights and brakes, and look over the coupler, safety chains and winch strap. If the trailer has sat in a field or barn for a while, tell us before the move.
From the lake
A boat kept at a north-end dock or slip comes out at a ramp or marina before it moves. Lake level matters, since low water can rule out some ramps for larger boats. We take that into account.
Preparing the boat
- Clear out coolers, toys and anything that could fly loose on a curve.
- Strap down seat cushions or take them home.
- Drop the bimini frame and any tall antennas.
- Pull the cover off if it flaps at highway speed.
- Let us know about known leaks, damage or a dead engine.
Make the trip count
A long haul is a good reason to stack jobs. Engine service, a drive inspection and a gel coat or paint touch-up can all happen in one stay at the shop, so the boat only travels once.
Timing
Spring and fall are the busiest times to move boats. The end of the season is a smart time to bring a Dahlonega boat down for winter work, so it is ready by spring.
What affects transport
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Length, beam and weight.
- Distance from the hills or the north end to Buford.
- Whether a haul-out is needed first.
- How road-ready the trailer is.
Insurance
Check that your insurance covers the boat on the road and at the shop before the move, and have the registration ready.
After the repair
When the work is done, we contact you to arrange the return to your home, storage spot or the lake.
Planning around the weather
Mountain roads in heavy rain, fog or ice are no place for a boat on a trailer. We plan moves around the forecast and will move the date if conditions turn. Late fall and early spring can bring frost on shaded curves, so mid-day moves are often safer then.
Questions we will ask
We will ask about the boat's size, the trailer, where the boat sits now, whether it runs and what repair it needs. For mountain moves we also ask about the driveway, any steep or tight turns and where the boat can be loaded safely. Clear answers here keep the day of the move simple.
Related and nearby
Transport often goes with drive repair in Dahlonega or gel coat repair in Dahlonega.
Down the Chestatee toward the lake, we offer transport in Gainesville and in Cumming. Boats kept in the water are covered on our transport on Lake Lanier page, and our shop sits in Buford. For everything we do for mountain owners, see boat repair in Dahlonega. The main service page has the full process, or you can reach us here.