Short answer: Harbor Marine helps Flowery Branch owners move boats from docks, lifts and marina slips to our nearby Buford shop when a repair needs it. Call or text (770) 967-8495.
From the dock to the shop
Most Flowery Branch boats live in the water, and plenty of owners do not keep a trailer. When a repair needs the shop, the boat has to come out, go on a trailer and travel to Buford. Our shop at 6516 Lanier Islands Parkway is close by, which keeps the move short.
When we recommend transport
- Sterndrive and outdrive rebuilds. See sterndrive repair in Flowery Branch.
- Structural or below-waterline fiberglass repairs. See gel coat repair in Flowery Branch.
- Engine repairs that need a bench and time.
Routine work usually stays at the dock through mobile service in Flowery Branch.
Planning around the water
Getting a boat out of the water depends on where it is and what the lake is doing. Lake levels change through the year, and a shallow cove or a ramp that is fine in summer can be tricky in a dry fall. We plan the timing around the boat's location and the conditions.
What we need
- Boat length, make and model.
- Dock address, or marina and slip.
- Access details and any marina rules.
- The repair you need, so we can confirm it needs the shop.
Preparing a dock boat for the move
- Take off loose gear, cushions and anything that could blow out on the road.
- Secure hatches and the windshield.
- Tell us about any known leaks or problems before it comes out of the water.
- Let us know about access to your dock or the marina's rules for hauling out.
We will go over anything specific to your boat when we plan the move.
More than one job per trip
Once a Flowery Branch boat makes the short trip to Buford, it is a good time to handle other shop work. Many owners add a drive inspection, a gel coat repair or winterization while the boat is already out. Fewer trips means less time off the water during the season.
The return trip
When the work is done, we plan how the boat gets back to Flowery Branch. For a dock boat, that usually means a launch and a run back to the dock, or a return to a lift. For a boat at one of the town's marinas, it means fitting the marina's schedule and rules. We talk it through with you before the boat ever leaves, so there are no surprises at the end.
Hall County holds the largest share of Lake Lanier, so there are a lot of ramps and marinas to work with. We pick the option that is simplest for your boat and dock.
What affects the move
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Boat size and weight.
- Whether the boat is at a dock, on a lift or in a marina slip.
- Access down to the water.
- Lake level at the time of the move.
Timing the move
Spring and fall are the busiest times to move boats on and off the lake. If your Flowery Branch boat needs shop work, call early so the haul-out, the repair and the return can be lined up together.
Nearby
We also help move boats in Buford, Gainesville and on Lake Lanier. See all our Flowery Branch services, our main boat transport page, or contact us.