Lake Lanier:678-725-3749
Lake Norman:704-574-2103
52 MPH Tritoons with 350 HP - Under $80K!
On the Water at Lazy Days Marina
The Premier On-Water Showroom on South Lake Lanier
Skip the highway lots. We're docked right on the lake — shop Godfrey Pontoons, Monterey sport boats, and Blackfin center consoles on the water, drop one in, and start living the Lanier lifestyle today.
Our Advantage
Why Buy From a Dealership That's Actually on the Lake?
Most boat dealers sit on a dry lot off GA-400 or I-985. You see a boat on a trailer, sign the papers, and hope it feels right once you're on the water. We're different. Carefree Boat Sales is located directly on the water at Lazy Days Marina on the south end of Lake Lanier — steps from Holiday Marina and the Buford Dam. That means you can test drive before you buy, on the exact lake you'll be boating on.
On the Water
at Lazy Days Marina, south Lake Lanier
Test Drive
any boat on Lake Lanier before you buy
3 Brands
Godfrey, Monterey & Blackfin
Same Day
drop it in the water and go
Shop by Lanier Lifestyle
We carry the right boat for every way people use Lake Lanier — from sandbar socializing to striper fishing.
Luxury Cruising & Sandbar Socializing
Godfrey Pontoons
Perfect for anchoring out at Cocktail Cove, taking large groups to dinner at Pelican Pete's, or spending a full day at the sandbar. Godfrey's Monaco and AquaPatio lines deliver the space, comfort, and Honda V8 power to make every outing an event. These are the boats you see packed with friends at every prime Lanier spot.
Shop Godfrey
Premium Day Cruising & Performance
Monterey Elite
Lake Lanier's weekend chop is no joke — and the Monterey Elite is built for it. Slice through rough water in style, tow skiers and wakeboarders with confidence, and pull up to sunset dinners looking like you mean it. The Elite 25 and 27 SD are the go-to choice for buyers who want sport boat performance without sacrificing comfort.
Shop Monterey
Hardcore Fishing & Offshore Hull Power
Blackfin Center Consoles
Lake Lanier's striper fishing is world-class — and serious anglers need a serious boat. Blackfin center consoles are built with offshore-grade hulls that handle rough water with absolute ease. Whether you're running to the dam at dawn or heading out for a full day on the water, these boats are built to perform when it matters.
Shop BlackfinDine by Boat
Best Waterfront Restaurants on Lake Lanier
One of the best things about boating Lake Lanier is pulling up to lunch or dinner by water. These are the spots locals and regulars count on.
Casual Waterfront
Pelican Pete's
Flowery Branch, GA
The most popular boat-up restaurant on the lake. Casual waterfront dining with a full bar, live music on weekends, and a dock that fits dozens of boats. Get there early on summer weekends — the dock fills up fast. Known for their fish tacos, burgers, and frozen drinks.
Arrive by 11am on summer Saturdays to get a good dock spot.
Resort Dining
Margaritaville Lake Resort
Lanier Islands, GA
Full-service resort dining accessible by boat at the Lanier Islands marina. Multiple dining options from casual poolside bites to sit-down meals. The resort also has a beach and water park — great for families spending a full day on the island.
Dock at the Lanier Islands marina and walk up to the resort.
Casual Dining
Gainesville Boat Club Grille
Gainesville, GA
A local favorite on the north end of the lake with a relaxed atmosphere and solid American menu. Less crowded than the south-end spots, making it a great option when you want a quieter lunch without fighting for dock space.
Great option on busy holiday weekends when south-end docks are packed.
Marina Bar & Grill
Port Royale Marina Bar & Grill
Buford, GA
Right on the south end of the lake near our dealership. Cold drinks, casual food, and a lively dock scene on summer afternoons. One of the easiest stops from Lazy Days Marina — just a short cruise away.
Easy cruise from our dealership at Lazy Days Marina.
Sandbar Destination
Cocktail Cove
South Lake Lanier
Not a restaurant — but the most famous social destination on the lake. A natural sandbar on the south end where boaters anchor up, wade in the water, and socialize all afternoon. Bring your own cooler and food. Every pontoon owner on Lanier knows this spot.
Anchor in 3–5 feet of water. Arrive before noon on summer weekends.
Marina Grill
Lazy Days Marina Grill
Buford, GA — our location
Right at our dealership at Lazy Days Marina. Grab a bite before or after your test drive, or stop in after a day on the water. Convenient, casual, and steps from the dock.
Right at our dealership — perfect before or after a test drive.
Fishing Guide
Fishing Lake Lanier: What You Need to Know
Lake Lanier is one of the top freshwater fishing lakes in the Southeast. Here's a local breakdown of what's biting, where to go, and what boat you need.
Lake Lanier covers 38,000 acres with over 690 miles of shoreline — and it holds some of the best striper, bass, and crappie fishing in Georgia. The Army Corps of Engineers manages water levels, which affects fishing conditions seasonally. Our team fishes this lake regularly and can point you to the right boat for the way you fish.
Striped Bass (Stripers)
Lake Lanier is nationally recognized for its landlocked striped bass fishery. Stripers run 10–40+ lbs and are most active in cooler water — spring and fall are peak seasons. Trolling umbrella rigs and live bream near the dam and main channel points is the go-to technique. Early morning and late evening produce the most action.
Best Season:Spring & Fall
Technique:Trolling umbrella rigs, live bream
Hot Spots:Buford Dam area, main channel points, deep creek channels
Largemouth & Spotted Bass
Lanier holds a healthy population of largemouth and spotted bass. Spotted bass dominate the deeper, clearer sections of the lake. Largemouth hold in the shallower coves and around docks. Soft plastics, crankbaits, and topwater lures all produce well depending on the season.
Best Season:Year-round, peak spring
Technique:Soft plastics, crankbaits, topwater
Hot Spots:Dock lines, shallow coves, rocky points
Crappie & Bluegill
Crappie fishing on Lanier is excellent in the spring when fish move shallow to spawn. Brush piles, submerged timber, and dock pilings hold fish all year. Bluegill are abundant in the shallower coves and are a great target for families and kids. Light tackle and small jigs or live crickets work best.
Best Season:Spring spawn, year-round
Technique:Small jigs, live crickets, light tackle
Hot Spots:Brush piles, dock pilings, shallow coves
Catfish & Hybrid Bass
Channel catfish and flatheads are caught throughout the lake, especially near the dam and deeper channel areas. Hybrid striped bass (wipers) are also present and put up a serious fight. Cut bait and chicken liver work well for catfish; hybrids respond to the same techniques as stripers.
Best Season:Summer & Fall
Technique:Cut bait, chicken liver, umbrella rigs
Hot Spots:Deep channels, dam tailwaters, main lake points
What Boat Do You Need for Lanier Fishing?
For serious striper fishing on Lanier, we recommend the Blackfin 242 HB or 262 HB. These hybrid bay boats are built with offshore-grade hulls that handle Lanier's chop and give you the deck space and rod storage serious anglers need. For family fishing trips, a Godfrey pontoon with a livewell package works great for crappie and bass in the coves.
Launch Points
Public Boat Ramps on Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier has over 50 public boat ramps managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and Gwinnett, Hall, and Forsyth counties. Here are the most-used ramps near our dealership and the popular south-end destinations.
Most Corps-managed ramps require a daily launch fee or annual pass. Arrive early on summer weekends — popular ramps fill up by 9am.
Lazy Days Marina
Our Location6700 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518
Our home base. Private marina ramp available to Carefree Boat Sales customers for demos and deliveries. Located on the south end of the lake near Lanier Islands.
Fee:Customer access
Managed:Private — Lazy Days Marina
Buford Dam Park Ramp
Buford, GA — near the dam
One of the most popular ramps on the south end. Close to the dam and the main striper fishing grounds. Can get crowded on summer weekends — arrive early.
Fee:Corps of Engineers fee
Managed:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Balus Creek Park
Gainesville, GA
Well-maintained Corps ramp on the north end of the lake near Gainesville. Less crowded than south-end ramps and a good option for anglers targeting the upper lake.
Fee:Corps of Engineers fee
Managed:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Shoal Creek Park
Cumming, GA
Popular Forsyth County ramp on the west side of the lake. Good access to mid-lake fishing spots and the Cumming area coves. Multiple lanes — handles high traffic well.
Fee:Forsyth County fee
Managed:Forsyth County
Wahoo Creek Park
Gainesville, GA
Hall County ramp on the northeast side of the lake. Good access to the upper lake and less congested than south-end ramps. Solid option for early morning striper runs.
Fee:Hall County fee
Managed:Hall County
Tidwell Park
Gainesville, GA
Corps-managed ramp near Gainesville with good access to the main channel. Popular with bass tournament anglers. Multiple lanes and a large parking area.
Fee:Corps of Engineers fee
Managed:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Lanier Local Knowledge
We've been on this lake for years. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
1
South Lake Lanier: Where the Action Is
The south end of the lake — from Buford Dam down through Holiday Marina and Lazy Days — is the heart of Lanier boating. It's where you'll find the best sandbar spots, the most popular restaurants by water, and the heaviest weekend traffic. Our location puts you right in the middle of it.
2
Lanier Chop: Why Hull Matters
Lake Lanier is a long, narrow reservoir that builds serious chop on windy afternoons and busy weekends. A flat-bottomed pontoon that feels fine on a calm morning can be a rough ride by 2pm. We'll help you match the right hull — tritoon, deep-V, or sport deck — to how and when you actually use the lake.
3
Test Drive Before You Buy
Because we're on the water, we can put you on the lake in the boat you're considering — not just let you sit in it on a trailer. There's no substitute for feeling how a boat handles Lanier's conditions before you sign. Ask us about scheduling a water demo.
4
Popular Lanier Destinations by Boat
Cocktail Cove, Pelican Pete's, Port Royale Marina, and the Buford Dam area are all easily accessible from our dock. When you buy from us, we'll show you exactly how to get there and what to expect on your first trip out.
See What Our Customers Say
Hundreds of Lake Lanier and Atlanta-area boaters have trusted Carefree Boat Sales. Here's what a few of them had to say.
"Carefree Boat Sales is hands down the best boat dealer near Lake Lanier. The team was knowledgeable, patient, and never pushy. We test drove the pontoon right on the lake before we bought it — you can't get that experience at a dry-lot dealership. Couldn't be happier with our purchase!"
C
Chris Shue
Verified Google Review
"If you're looking for a pontoon dealer near Atlanta or Lake Lanier, look no further. The staff at Carefree went above and beyond to find us the perfect boat for our family. The on-water location at Lazy Days Marina made the whole buying experience unlike anything else. Five stars all the way."
C
Chris George
Verified Google Review
"Best boat buying experience I've ever had. Being able to actually take the boat out on Lake Lanier before committing was a game changer. The Carefree team knows this lake inside and out — they helped us pick the right model for how we actually use the water. Highly recommend to anyone in the Atlanta area looking for a boat."
D
Davis Peek
Verified Google Review
Ready to Experience the Lanier Lifestyle?
Come see us at Lazy Days Marina on the south end of Lake Lanier. We're on the water — and so are the boats. No trailers, no dry lots. Just real boats, on the real lake, ready to test drive today.
6700 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA678-725-3749