Short answer: Harbor Marine winterizes and shrink wraps boats for Cumming owners at docks, on lifts, in driveways and at our Buford shop. Book early in the fall at (770) 967-8495.
Winter on the Forsyth side
Some Cumming boats spend winter at the dock, some go up on lifts, and some sit in driveways and storage lots. Each needs the engine and water systems protected before the first hard freeze. Lift and driveway boats sit fully in the cold air, so they are the most exposed. Water left in an engine block, manifold or plumbing line can freeze and crack.
What winterization covers
- Engine cooling passages protected.
- Generator, if the boat has one.
- Freshwater tanks, lines, sinks, showers and heads.
- Batteries checked for spring.
- Shrink wrap, if you want it.
Boats staying in the water
A boat that winters at a Cumming dock still needs its engine and plumbing protected. A bilge heater adds protection on the coldest nights if your dock has power. Keep an eye on lines and the bilge pump, and check that the boat will still float freely as the lake level changes through the winter.
Shrink wrap
A tight shrink wrap keeps leaves, rain and pine needles out of the cockpit and drains, and shades the boat from winter sun. For boats on lifts or under trees at lakefront homes, it saves a lot of spring cleanup.
Book in early fall
Calendars fill once the weather turns. Booking in early fall, around the time of the Cumming Country Fair in October, gets you a better spot on the schedule. In spring we unwrap, recommission and check the boat over.
What affects winterization
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- Number of engines and any generator.
- Water systems on board.
- Shrink wrap and the boat size.
- Whether the boat stays in the water, goes on a lift or sits in a driveway.
Boats that stay in the water
Some Cumming owners leave the boat in the water at the dock through winter, or keep it on a lift. That can work, but it needs a plan. The engine and water systems still need protection from freezing, the bilge pump needs a working battery, and lines should be checked as the lake level changes. A boat on a lift should be raised fully and covered so rain and leaves do not collect in the cockpit.
Spring recommissioning
When spring comes, the work runs in reverse: reconnect batteries, check fluids, refill water systems, replace the impeller if it is due and run the engine with cooling water to check for leaks. A boat that was winterized well usually wakes up without trouble.
What freezes first
The first parts to suffer in a freeze are the ones holding a small amount of water in thin metal or plastic: exhaust manifolds, raw-water pumps, sea strainers, washdown pumps and the lines to sinks and showers. An engine block holds more water and takes longer to freeze, but when it does, the damage is expensive. Winterization drains these parts or fills them with antifreeze made for boats, so there is nothing left to freeze. We go through each system on your boat, because every boat is plumbed a little differently.
Forsyth dock checklist for winter
If the boat stays at the dock, check the lines and fenders before you leave it for the season, as the lake level can drop in winter. Make sure the bilge pump runs and the battery is charged, and visit after big storms if you can. A cover that sags can hold rainwater, so check it too.
Related and nearby
Pair winterization with a detail in Cumming or a drive check through sterndrive repair in Cumming.
Boaters on the Forsyth side can also see winterization in Alpharetta or Suwanee, or on Lake Lanier for the whole lake. Owners near our shop can see Buford. Everything we do in town is on our Cumming boat repair page, and our main service page explains the process. Contact us anytime.