Short answer: Harbor Marine winterizes and shrink wraps boats for Atlanta owners, at Lanier slips, storage where allowed, or our Buford shop. Engine, drive, fuel and water systems. Call (770) 967-8495.
Mild winters still freeze
Atlanta winters are mild most days, but the city still sees hard freezes. Water trapped in the engine block, manifolds, pumps, drive and freshwater lines can freeze and crack parts. Damage often shows up only in spring, when the boat leaks or will not run.
Winterization drains or protects those systems and gets the engine, fuel and batteries through the cold months.
What we do
- Drain or fill the cooling system with marine antifreeze.
- Change the oil and filter.
- Stabilize and top off the fuel.
- Service the drive and change gear oil.
- Drain and protect water systems.
- Fog the engine where called for.
- Remove or maintain batteries.
Storage facilities
Covered storage keeps off rain, but it still freezes. Open lots add rain, wind and leaves, so outdoor boats need shrink wrap or a strong cover. If your facility limits outside work, we can winterize at the shop before the boat goes into storage.
Boats left at the lake
Some Atlanta owners leave the boat in a Lanier slip all winter. It still needs full winterization, a charged battery for the bilge pump, and lines that allow for the lake dropping. Plan for someone to check it after storms.
Shrink wrap
Shrink wrap is plastic film heated to fit tightly around the boat, built over a frame so water runs off, with vents to let moisture out. It is a good choice for outdoor storage.
Batteries
Flat batteries can freeze and crack. Remove them, or keep them on a maintainer. Boats in the water need charged batteries for the bilge pump.
Timing
Fall calendars fill fast. Book early so the work is done before the first hard freeze. If a cold snap comes first, call and we will talk through quick steps.
What affects winterization
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Engine and drive type and count.
- Water systems on board.
- Whether you want shrink wrap.
- Where the boat is stored.
What freezes first
Small parts that hold water freeze before the engine block: raw-water pumps, sea strainers, manifolds and sink and shower lines. Winterization drains them or fills them with marine antifreeze. Every boat is plumbed differently, so we check each system.
Spring recommissioning
In spring we reverse the process: charge and reconnect batteries, check fluids, refill water systems and run the engine with cooling water to check for leaks. A well-winterized boat is usually ready for the first warm weekend.
Covered storage still needs care
Covered storage keeps off rain and sun, but the boat still sits in winter air. The engine and water systems need full protection, the fuel needs stabilizer, and batteries need a plan. A breathable cover keeps dust off without trapping moisture.
If you use the boat in winter
Some Atlanta owners take the boat out on warm winter days. That works if the boat is kept ready and checked after cold nights. Ask us about a partial winterization plan that fits how you use the boat, so a hard freeze does not catch it unprotected.
Book early
Fall calendars fill as soon as the weather turns. Getting on the schedule in September or early October keeps you ahead of the first hard freeze, and gives time to plan any repairs over the winter. If the boat lives in a storage facility, we can also coordinate timing so it is winterized before it goes into its space for the season, which saves a second trip and keeps the facility happy.
Related and nearby
The off-season is a good time for drive repair in Atlanta. A detail in Atlanta before wrapping keeps grime from setting in.
North of the city, we also offer winterization in Alpharetta and in Suwanee, and our shop is in Buford. If your boat stays in the water, see winterization on Lake Lanier. All our work for city owners is on the Atlanta boat repair page, the main service page explains each step, and you can contact us anytime.