Boat Salvage Yards in Georgia (2026): Used Parts & Marine Salvage

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This guide lists 5 boat salvage yards and used marine parts dealers in Georgia — from Lanier Marine Liquidators in Dawsonville, the state’s largest operation with 700+ used boats on lot, to TCH Watersports in Eatonton, which runs a genuine self-serve pick-and-pull yard for boats and personal watercraft. Whether you’re hunting for a used outboard, a lower unit, vintage OMC parts, or a project hull, these are the most useful sources in the state.

You can also browse the Boat Salvage Yards Directory to find marine recyclers and used parts dealers across the United States.

Boat Salvage Yards in Georgia (Map & Quick List)

Yard NameLocationFocus
Lanier Marine LiquidatorsDawsonville, GASalvage boats & parts
DeKalb Marine Inc.Lithonia, GAUsed outboards & parts
Sewell MarineNewnan, GALegacy OMC specialists
TCH WatersportsEatonton, GASelf-serve salvage yard & PWC parts.
Bowhead MarineKingsland, GATake‑off parts & repairs

1. Lanier Marine Liquidators — Dawsonville, GA

Address: 106 Henry Grady Hwy, Dawsonville, GA 30534
Phone: (770) 888‑2628
Website: https://laniermarine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laniermarineliquidators/

Lanier Marine Liquidators is Georgia’s largest and most established boat salvage operation, with over 700 used and project boats on the lot at any given time — ranging from bowriders and center consoles to pontoons, sailboats, and cruisers.

The inventory rotates constantly, with many boats sold as-is for parts, winter projects, or DIY rebuilds. Beyond hulls, they maintain one of the largest selections of new, used, and discontinued boat parts in the Southeast — covering trailers, outboard motors, inboard-outboard drives, steering components, and electronics.

They also buy, broker, trade, and deliver boats, making them a viable option if you’re looking to sell or swap a vessel. The yard serves boaters from Atlanta, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, and ships parts internationally.

Open Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–5:30 PM, closed Sunday.
Call ahead to check availability on specific parts before making the drive.

2. DeKalb Marine Inc. — Lithonia, GA

Address: 6920 Maddox Rd, Lithonia, GA 30058
Phone: (770) 482‑7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dekalbmarineinc/

DeKalb Marine Inc. is a long-running shop east of Atlanta that has quietly built a reputation as a reliable source for used outboards and take-off components.

Their inventory comes primarily from engine repowers, insurance-damaged boats, and trade-ins — meaning you’ll often find lower units, control cables, trim motors, fuel systems, and ignition parts pulled from otherwise-totaled motors.

The shop focuses on keeping older outboards alive, which makes them especially useful for boaters running 1980s–2000s-era two- and four-stroke motors that are no longer supported by OEM dealers. Pricing is generally competitive, and staff can often identify whether a part will fit without a dealer lookup. Call before visiting to describe what you need, as inventory is not cataloged online.

3. Sewell Marine — Newnan, GA

Address: 172 Temple Ave, Newnan, GA 30263
Phone: (770) 253‑7996
Website: https://www.sewellmarine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewellmarine/

Sewell Marine is the go-to destination in Georgia for vintage Johnson, Evinrude, and OMC outboard parts — a niche that almost no modern dealer serves.

Their stock includes both new-old-stock (NOS) components and used parts pulled from donor motors, covering carburetors, water pumps, lower unit gears, powerheads, recoil starters, and electrical systems for two-stroke engines spanning multiple decades. If you’re restoring a classic outboard or keeping a 1970s–1990s motor running, Sewell is often the only shop in the state that can help.

Their depth of knowledge on older OMC platforms is genuine — technicians can typically identify a part from a description or model number over the phone, saving you a wasted trip. Ring ahead to confirm stock on specific model years.

4. TCH Watersports — Eatonton, GA

Address: 417 Pea Ridge Rd SE, Eatonton, GA 31024
Phone: (706) 485-9979
Website: https://tchwatersports.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tchwatersportsinc/

TCH Watersports operates one of the few genuine self-serve salvage yards in Georgia, with a large on-site lot stocked with personal watercraft and boats of all makes, models, and years. Buyers are welcome to walk the yard, pull their own parts, and negotiate pricing on the spot — a rare setup that makes it a standout resource for budget-conscious DIY boaters.

The shop is a Yamaha-certified dealer and American Marine Institute Certified facility, so you’re also getting professional-grade expertise alongside the salvage inventory. Located near Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, TCH is particularly well-positioned for boaters in central Georgia seeking hard-to-find outboard components, PWC parts, and trailer hardware.

Hours: Tue–Fri 8:30 AM–5:30 PM, Sat 8:30 AM–3:00 PM.

5. Bowhead Marine — Kingsland, GA

Address: 1606 Boone St, Kingsland, GA 31548
Phone: (912) 729‑3775
Website: https://bowheadmarine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bowheadmarine/

Bowhead Marine is a full-service coastal shop in Kingsland that regularly handles insurance-damaged and storm-affected boats, resulting in a steady supply of take-off parts for popular four-stroke outboard brands — particularly Yamaha, Mercury, and Suzuki.

Saltwater-region yards like Bowhead tend to accumulate high-value components from boats that are totaled structurally but have engines or drives with plenty of life left. That makes them a useful stop for anyone needing a low-hour powerhead swap, a working trim assembly, or a clean throttle and shift control unit. Kingsland sits close to the Florida border, so the shop also draws boaters from the Jacksonville area.

Bowhead is primarily a repair facility, so it’s best to call ahead, describe the part you’re after, and ask whether they have current take-off stock available before making the drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are boat salvage yards?

Boat salvage yards are facilities that acquire damaged, abandoned, or end-of-life vessels and dismantle them so usable components can be resold. Common inventory includes outboard and inboard motors, lower units, control systems, trailers, electronics, and structural hardware. Some yards also sell whole project boats at reduced prices for DIY restoration. They are an essential resource for boaters repairing older vessels or sourcing discontinued parts that dealers no longer carry.

Are there many boat salvage yards in Georgia?

Georgia has a limited number of formal boat salvage yards compared to high-volume boating states like Florida or Michigan. The state has one large public salvage operation — Lanier Marine Liquidators in Dawsonville — and one self-serve pick-and-pull yard at TCH Watersports in Eatonton. The remaining entries in this guide are established marine repair shops that maintain rotating inventories of used take-off parts from repowers, insurance claims, and trade-ins. Boaters who cannot find what they need locally should check neighboring Florida or South Carolina, which have significantly larger salvage markets.

What can I buy at a boat salvage yard?

Typical inventory includes used outboard and inboard motors, lower units, trim assemblies, propellers, steering systems, control cables, fuel tanks, wiring harnesses, marine electronics, seats, deck hardware, trailers, and complete project hulls. Georgia’s specialty shops also carry vintage Johnson, Evinrude, and OMC two-stroke parts that are no longer available through mainstream dealers. Availability varies by yard and changes frequently, so calling ahead to confirm stock is always recommended.

Are used boat parts reliable?

Used marine parts can be highly reliable when sourced carefully. The most important steps are confirming whether the part was pulled from a running engine, inspecting for corrosion — particularly in saltwater-adjacent yards — and verifying compatibility using model and serial numbers before purchase. Lower units should be checked for gear oil condition and signs of water intrusion. Parts from established shops with rotating inventory and a repair background tend to be better vetted than parts from informal sources.

Boat Salvage Activity in Georgia

Georgia’s salvage activity is concentrated around Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona, and coastal regions where storm damage, insurance claims, and abandoned boats are more common. While the state has limited full‑scale salvage yards, many marine shops quietly dismantle boats and maintain rotating used‑parts inventories.

Types of Boat Salvage Sources in Georgia

1. Full Salvage Yards

Large operations with rows of boats, parted‑out hulls, and extensive used inventory. Example: Lanier Marine Liquidators.

2. Marine Repair Shops with Used Parts

Shops that accumulate take‑off components from repairs, repowers, and insurance jobs. Examples: DeKalb Marine Inc., Bowhead Marine.

3. Independent Outboard Mechanics

Small, often unlisted operations with donor motors and bins of used parts. Common around Lake Lanier, Allatoona, and Savannah.

4. Marina Back‑Lots

Marinas that store abandoned or non‑running boats and occasionally sell them for parts.

Best Areas in Georgia to Find Boat Salvage Yards

Lake Lanier Region: Highest concentration of used boats and part‑out activity.
Atlanta East (Lithonia / Conyers): Long‑standing shops with strong used‑parts inventories.
Newnan Area: Known for vintage OMC and older two‑stroke outboard parts.
Coastal Georgia: Frequent insurance‑damaged boats and saltwater‑affected vessels.

When to Use a Boat Salvage Yard in Georgia

  • When repairing an older outboard no longer supported by OEM dealers
  • When you need affordable parts like lower units, starters, or trim pumps
  • When restoring a project boat or replacing missing hardware
  • When sourcing rare components for vintage Johnson/Evinrude/OMC engines
  • When buying a low‑cost hull for rebuilding or customization

Salvage yards are ideal for budget repairs, DIY projects, and hard‑to‑find parts.

Tips for Buying Used Boat Parts in Georgia

  • Bring the old part to match bolt patterns, connectors, and dimensions
  • Ask if the part was tested or pulled from a running engine
  • Inspect for corrosion, especially in coastal areas
  • Check gear oil when buying a lower unit
  • Verify compatibility using model numbers and serial plates
  • Negotiate pricing, especially for cosmetic or non‑tested items
  • Buy from shops with rotating inventory for the best selection

How to Sell or Donate a Boat in Georgia

If you have an unwanted, damaged, or non-running boat, Georgia’s salvage yards and donation programs offer several practical options for offloading it responsibly.

Sell it to a salvage yard or dealer

Lanier Marine Liquidators in Dawsonville actively buys, brokers, and trades used boats in any condition — including project boats, insurance-damaged hulls, and vessels with mechanical issues. They are the most straightforward option for sellers in northern Georgia who want cash or a trade-in credit. TCH Watersports in Eatonton also accepts used boats and personal watercraft, particularly Yamaha-brand models, and may offer a trade-in toward parts or service.

Donate it to charity for a tax deduction

If the boat has some residual value but selling privately is more hassle than it’s worth, donation is worth considering. Two nationally operating 501(c)(3) programs accept Georgia boat donations statewide and handle free pickup regardless of whether the vessel runs:

  • Boats with Causes — accepts all vessel types including non-running boats, no trailer required. Provides IRS tax paperwork and a fair market value deduction. Phone: (888) 228-7320 / boatswithcauses.org
  • Boat Angel — accepts boats in any condition across Georgia, including coastal and inland locations. Useful for boaters near Atlanta, Savannah, or Augusta who want a documented donation receipt. boatangel.org

Both programs arrange pickup at no cost to the donor and supply the IRS Form 1098-C required to claim the deduction.

Professional boat removal (coastal Georgia)

For non-floating, sinking, or abandoned boats in the Savannah, Brunswick, or Camden County areas, Boat Remover operates a licensed removal and disposal service. This is the option when the vessel has no salvage value and you simply need it gone. Contact: (912) 438-5220 / boatremover.com

Georgia DNR abandoned vessel program

If a boat has been left on your property or at your dock without permission, Georgia DNR handles abandoned vessel reporting and removal through its Coastal Resources Division. This is not a donation or sale route, but useful context for marina operators or waterfront property owners dealing with derelict vessels.

Nearby States with More Boat Salvage Yards

If you can’t find the parts you need in Georgia, several nearby states offer larger marine‑salvage markets and more used‑parts suppliers.

Florida — one of the strongest boat‑salvage markets in the country, with extensive coastal yards and high used‑parts availability.
South Carolina — a solid mix of freshwater and coastal salvage sources, plus repair shops that regularly part out boats.
North Carolina — strong coastal activity and several reputable marine dismantlers serving both inland and offshore boating communities.
Texas — a major Gulf Coast market with large salvage yards, abundant used outboards, and frequent insurance‑totaled vessels.

Exploring these nearby states can greatly increase your chances of finding rare, discontinued, or hard‑to‑source marine parts—especially for older outboards, project boats, and specialty components.

Dmitry

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