Short answer: Harbor Marine winterizes boats and shrink wraps them for Suwanee owners, in driveways, garages and storage lots or at our Buford shop. Call or text (770) 967-8495 to book.
Winter in a Suwanee driveway
Georgia winters are mild most days, but north Gwinnett still gets hard freezes. A boat is full of places where water hides: the engine block, the cooling system, the drive, freshwater tanks and lines, and sink drains. When that water freezes, it expands and can crack parts. A cracked block or manifold is one of the most expensive surprises a boat owner can find in spring.
Most Suwanee boats winter on the trailer in a driveway, garage or storage lot, so they need a plan that fits dry storage.
What winterization covers
- Drain or protect the engine cooling system.
- Change the oil, so acids in old oil do not sit all winter.
- Treat the fuel and fill the tank to cut condensation.
- Service the drive and check the gear oil.
- Drain and protect freshwater, sink and head systems.
- Disconnect or maintain the batteries.
Garage, driveway or lot
A garage keeps off rain and wind, but it can still drop below freezing, so the engine and water systems need care either way. Driveway and storage-lot boats also need a cover or shrink wrap to keep out water, leaves and pollen. Tell us where your boat will spend the winter, and we will plan the work to match.
Shrink wrap
Shrink wrap is a plastic cover heated to fit tight around the boat. It sheds rain and keeps out debris and critters. A good wrap is supported by a frame so water runs off, and has vents so moisture does not build up inside. It is a good choice for boats stored outside all winter.
Book early
Winterization calendars fill up in the fall. Book early so the work is done before the first hard freeze. If a cold snap comes first, call us to talk through quick steps to protect the boat until we can get to it.
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 how many engines.
- Water systems on board: tanks, sinks and heads.
- Whether you want shrink wrap.
- Where the boat is stored.
Covers and the HOA
Some neighborhoods have rules about how a boat stored in a driveway must be covered. A neat, fitted cover or shrink wrap usually meets them. Check your HOA rules before fall so the winter plan fits. If a driveway is not an option, a storage lot or garage may be the better choice.
Battery care over winter
Batteries left connected through winter slowly drain and can be damaged by freezing when they are flat. Either take them out and store them somewhere cool and dry, or keep them on a marine battery maintainer. A charged battery holds up to cold far better than a dead one.
What freezes first
Small parts that hold water freeze first: raw-water pumps, strainers, manifolds and sink lines. Winterization drains them or fills them with marine antifreeze, so a cold night cannot crack them.
Spring wake-up
When the weather warms, the boat needs recommissioning before its first trip: batteries reconnected and charged, fluids checked, water systems refilled and flushed, and a test run with cooling water. We can handle it in your driveway or at the shop.
Related and nearby
Winter is a good time for drive repair in Suwanee, so the boat is ready by spring. A detail in Suwanee before wrapping keeps dirt from setting in.
Next door, we also cover winterization in Sugar Hill and in Buford, where our shop is. Owners who keep a boat in the water can read about winterization 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.