Short answer: Harbor Marine winterizes and shrink wraps boats for Gainesville owners, at docks, on lifts, in driveways or at our Buford shop. Call or text (770) 967-8495 before the first hard freeze.
North Georgia winters
Gainesville sits at the north end of the lake and gets its share of hard freezes most winters. A boat holds water in places you cannot easily see: the engine block and manifolds, the raw-water pump, the drive, and freshwater tanks and lines. When that water freezes, it expands and can crack parts. Freeze damage is often not found until spring, when the boat will not run or starts leaking.
Winterization removes or replaces that water and protects the engine, fuel and batteries for the cold months.
What winterization covers
- Drain or fill the cooling system with marine antifreeze.
- Change the oil and filter.
- Stabilize the fuel and top off the tank.
- Service the drive and change the gear oil.
- Drain and protect freshwater, sinks and heads.
- Fog the engine where the maker calls for it.
- Remove or maintain the batteries.
Boats that stay at the dock
Many Gainesville owners leave the boat at the dock or on a lift over the winter. That can work with the right plan. The engine and water systems still need full protection. A boat in the water needs a charged battery behind the bilge pump and lines that allow for the lake dropping. A boat on a lift should be raised fully and covered so rain and leaves do not pile up in the cockpit.
Shrink wrap
Shrink wrap is a plastic film heated to fit snugly around the boat. Built over a frame so water runs off, with vents to let moisture out, it keeps rain, leaves and animals out all winter. It is a good choice for boats stored outside on a lift or trailer.
Batteries
A dead battery can freeze and crack. A charged one handles cold well. Either remove the batteries and store them somewhere cool and dry, or keep them on a marine maintainer. If the boat stays in the water, the battery must stay charged so the bilge pump can work.
Timing
Fall calendars fill fast. Schedule early so the work is finished before the first hard freeze. If cold weather comes early, call us and we will talk through quick steps to protect the boat until the visit.
Spring recommissioning
In spring we reverse the winter work: charge and reconnect batteries, check fluids, refill and flush water systems, and run the engine with cooling water to check for leaks. A well-winterized boat usually wakes up ready to go.
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 will spend the winter.
What freezes first
Small parts that hold water freeze before the engine block does: raw-water pumps, sea strainers, manifolds, washdown pumps and sink and shower lines. Winterization drains these or fills them with marine antifreeze. Every boat is plumbed a little differently, so we go through each system rather than following a one-size list.
Winter lake levels and lines
The lake often drops over the winter. A boat left at a fixed dock with tight lines can end up hanging from its cleats, and a boat at a floating dock can shift as the dock moves. Leave slack for the water to fall, and check lines and fenders after big storms.
Lifts in winter
On a lift, raise the boat fully, turn off the lift power if the maker suggests it, and check that the cover sheds water rather than pooling on the canvas.
Related and nearby
The off-season is a good time for drive repair in Gainesville. A detail in Gainesville before wrapping keeps grime from setting in.
Heading south toward our shop, we also offer winterization in Flowery Branch and in Buford. Owners on the Forsyth shore can look at Cumming, and the lake-wide page covers winterization on Lake Lanier. Everything we offer Hall County owners is on our Gainesville boat repair page. For how the work is done step by step, see the main service page, or get in touch.