Short answer: Harbor Marine helps Suwanee owners move boats to our Buford shop for repairs, when towing it yourself is not an option. Call or text (770) 967-8495 to plan a move.
When you need help moving a boat
Most Suwanee owners tow their own boats. But not everyone has a truck big enough, and some boats are too large to tow easily. A boat might have a trailer that is not road-ready, or it might be stuck at a marina slip on Lake Lanier with a problem that needs the shop. That is when transport help makes sense.
How it works
- Call (770) 967-8495 and tell us the boat, its size and where it is.
- Tell us what repair it needs.
- We plan how the boat gets to the shop.
- The repair is done at 6516 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford.
- We plan how the boat gets back.
Check the trailer first
If your boat moves on its own trailer, check it before the trip. Tires age even when they still have tread, and wheel bearings dry out when a trailer sits. Make sure the lights work, the coupler and safety chains are sound, and the bunks fit the hull. If anything looks wrong, tell us before the move.
Combining transport and repair
Moving a boat is a chance to get more done. If it is coming in for engine work, think about having the drive checked or gel coat touched up in the same visit. One trip, several jobs. Tell us your list when you book.
Getting ready for the move
- Remove loose gear and secure what stays on board.
- Lower or remove antennas and bimini tops.
- Make sure the cover is secure, or take it off.
- Tell us about any known leaks or damage.
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 needs to go.
- Whether it has a road-ready trailer.
- Timing and season.
Getting a boat off the lake
Some Suwanee owners keep the boat in a slip on Lake Lanier for the season. If it breaks down there, it has to come out of the water before it can reach the shop. That means a haul-out at a ramp or marina, then a trip on a trailer. We help plan both steps, so the boat gets where it needs to go without guesswork.
Trailer tires and bearings
Trailer tires can look fine but still be too old to trust. Check the date code on the sidewall, and if the tires are more than about six years old, consider replacing them. Bearings should spin freely and quietly. A bad bearing on the road can leave the boat stuck on the shoulder.
What to tell us when you call
Give us the boat's length and beam, where it is parked or docked and whether it has a road-ready trailer. Tell us what repair it needs, so the move and the work can be planned together. Photos of the boat and trailer help us see what we are working with before anyone shows up. If timing matters, such as a trip you have planned, let us know the date.
Timing a move around the season
Suwanee owners who keep a lake slip often haul out in the fall anyway. If the boat needs shop work, that trip off the lake is a good time to move it to the shop instead of straight home. One move, and the repair is done before spring.
Related and nearby
Transport is often paired with drive repair in Suwanee or gel coat repair in Suwanee.
Next door, we also cover transport in Sugar Hill and in Buford, where our shop is. Owners who keep a boat in the water can read about transport on Lake Lanier, and Forsyth neighbors can see Cumming. For everything we do in town, start at boat repair in Suwanee. The full service page walks through the process, or you can send us a note.