Pontoon Boat Service & Repair Near Lake Lanier — What Carefree Boat Sales Offers

If you own a pontoon or tritoon on Lake Lanier, finding a certified service center that actually knows your engine is harder than it should be. Most shops can change oil and replace impellers. But when you need Honda Marine certified work — warranty service, fuel system diagnostics, electronic throttle calibration — the list gets short fast.

Carefree Boat Sales in Buford, GA is a Honda Marine certified service center and one of the few shops in North Georgia equipped to handle the full range of service on Honda BF200 through BF350 engines. Here's what we offer and what it costs.

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Services We Provide

Annual Maintenance & Tune-Up

The most common service we perform — and the one that prevents 90% of the problems we see on boats that come in for repairs.

What's included:

• Engine oil and filter change
• Gear lube change (lower unit)
• Spark plug inspection and replacement
• Fuel filter replacement
• Impeller inspection (replacement recommended every 3 years)
• Throttle and shift cable inspection
• Battery load test
• Full engine diagnostic scan
• Test run and performance check

Typical cost: $350–$550 depending on engine size and hours

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Winterization

Georgia winters are mild, but Lake Lanier temperatures drop enough to cause real damage to unprotected engines and water systems. Proper winterization protects your investment through April.

What's included:

• Fogging oil treatment (cylinders and intake)
• Fuel stabilizer added and run through system
• Lower unit gear lube change
• Freshwater flush
• Battery tender connection or removal
• Cover inspection and fitting

Typical cost: $250–$400

We also offer winter storage at our Buford facility through April 15, with spring commissioning included. Call for current storage rates.

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Spring Commissioning

Getting your boat ready for the season after winter storage — or after sitting through the off-season.

What's included:

• De-winterization and freshwater flush
• Battery charge and load test
• Full engine inspection
• Safety equipment check (fire extinguisher, flares, life jackets)
• Test run
• Prop inspection

Typical cost: $200–$350

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Engine Repair & Diagnostics

Honda Marine certified technicians with factory training on BF150 through BF350 engines. We carry Honda OEM parts in stock for common repairs.

Common repairs we handle:

• Fuel system issues (VST, injectors, fuel pump)
• Overheating diagnosis and repair
• Trim and tilt system repair
• Electronic throttle and shift system service
• Starter and charging system repair
• Lower unit rebuild

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Prop Service

Bent, dinged, or out-of-balance props kill fuel economy and top speed. We offer prop inspection, minor repair referrals, and prop replacement with performance upgrades available.

We stock Honda, Solas, and Michigan Wheel props for most Honda outboard applications.

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Why Honda Certified Matters

Any shop can change your oil. Honda Marine certification means:

• Factory-trained technicians — not general mechanics learning on your engine
• OEM parts — Honda genuine parts, not aftermarket substitutes
• Warranty work — we can perform warranty repairs on Honda engines in their coverage period
• Diagnostic tools — Honda's proprietary HDS diagnostic software, not generic OBD readers

If your Honda engine is throwing codes or behaving erratically, a non-certified shop is guessing. We're reading the actual factory data.

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Scheduling Service

We book service appointments 2–4 weeks out during peak season (April–September). Winter and early spring appointments are typically available within a week.

To schedule: Call (678) 725-3749 or stop by our Buford location.

We're located at 5765 Shadburn Ferry Rd, Buford, GA 30518 — about 10 minutes from Lake Lanier's Shadburn Ferry boat ramp.

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A Note on Service Timing for 2027

If you're planning to buy a new boat for the 2027 season, scheduling your current boat's winterization and spring commissioning with us is a good way to get on our calendar early. We prioritize service customers when new inventory arrives — and Boat Show season pricing on 2027 Godfrey and Honda packages runs through the end of 2026.

View current inventory or contact us to schedule service.