Marine Specialties Inc
Meet Marine Specialties: Lake Oconee's Trusted Dock & Lift Experts
When it comes to your waterfront, you don't want to gamble on a company that's new to the game. You want someone who's been doing this for decades, who knows the difference between a Georgia Power-compliant installation and a costly mistake, and who treats your shoreline like it's their own.
That's exactly what Marine Specialties brings to Lake Oconee.
A Legacy Built on the Water
Marine Specialties was founded in 1988 on the shores of Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia and the story behind it is exactly the kind you'd want to hear. Founder Tom Child arrived in Georgia at just 19 years old, stayed, and eventually became a DeKalb County firefighter. While working full-time in emergency services, he started Marine Specialties on the side, installing boat lifts in his spare hours. For nearly a decade, he juggled both careers before the business grew large enough to become his full-time focus.
What started from a single man's passion for lake life grew into one of the most respected marine contracting companies in Georgia and South Carolina. By the mid-1990s, MSI had become a HydroHoist Boat Lift dealer and earned the first of what would eventually be 17 Dealer of the Year Awards. By 2003, the company had outgrown two facilities and expanded its offerings to include Wahoo Aluminum Boat Docks. Over time, Marine Specialties added rip rap erosion control, shoreline steps, pressure washing, dock moving, and full repair services, becoming a true one-stop shop for lakefront living.
After more than 35 years of building shoreline memories for Georgia and South Carolina lake communities, Tom and his wife Michelle handed the reins to a new generation of leadership in 2025. The mission hasn't changed: deliver honest, trustworthy, first-class marine services to every client who trusts them with their waterfront.
Now Serving Lake Oconee - With a Local Office Right Here
Marine Specialties has opened a dedicated Lake Oconee location at 1105 Lake Oconee Pkwy, Suite 130, in Eatonton, bringing their full lineup of products and services directly to one of Georgia's most beloved lake communities.
Lake Oconee homeowners know this lake is different. Georgia Power's shoreline regulations are strict, water levels fluctuate seasonally, and the communities here expect quality that matches the caliber of the properties. Marine Specialties has spent years navigating exactly these kinds of requirements across Georgia's premier lakes, and their team understands the permitting process, approved materials, and design options that work specifically for Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair.
Whether you're building a new aluminum dock, upgrading to a ShoreMaster boat lift, adding a jet ski port, or need repair and maintenance on an existing structure, there's now a local team ready to help… fast.
What Makes MSI Different
Marine Specialties isn't a franchise and it's not a faceless online retailer. It's a company with deep roots in Georgia lake communities, built on straightforward values: show up, do the work right, communicate clearly, and stand behind what you build.
Products and services available on Lake Oconee include:
Custom Aluminum Boat Docks: Durable, low-maintenance, and Georgia Power-approved. Aluminum doesn't rot, warp, or require the constant upkeep that wood demands. It's the smart long-term choice for Lake Oconee's humid climate and fluctuating water levels.
ShoreMaster Boat Lifts: Corrosion-resistant and built for reliable, smooth operation. Designed to protect your boat from waves, weather, and wear.
ShoreMaster Jet Ski & PWC Lifts: Engineered for stability and quick access, so you spend more time on the water and less time fussing with your equipment.
Custom Boat Covers: Precision-fit, Georgia Power-approved canopies that protect your investment year-round.
Shoreline Steps Installation: Safe, attractive timber and aluminum step systems that complement your waterfront.
Dock Repair & Maintenance: Keep your existing dock in peak condition with expert repair services from a team that knows these lakes.
Pressure Washing: Restore your dock to like-new condition with professional cleaning.
Dock Moving: Need to reposition or relocate a structure? MSI has one of the largest fleets of service boats on the water.
Their showroom also offers something most dock companies can't: a walkable display dock where you can compare materials, decking colors, textures, and accessory options in person before you commit to a single decision.
Why Lake Oconee Homeowners Choose Marine Specialties
There's no shortage of dock companies willing to take your money. What separates Marine Specialties is the combination of experience, accountability, and care that has kept customers coming back — and referring neighbors — for over three decades.
Their technicians are licensed, bonded, and insured. Their team communicates throughout every project. And their track record on Georgia lakes speaks for itself: 17 HydroHoist Dealer of the Year Awards, consistent five-star reviews, and membership in the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and the Lake Lanier Association.
Now, that same level of service is available right here in Putnam County.
Ready to Build Your Shorelife Memory?
If you've been thinking about adding a dock, upgrading your lift, or finally getting that shoreline in order, Marine Specialties is ready to help. Call the Lake Oconee office at (706) 431-3077, or stop by 1105 Lake Oconee Pkwy, Suite 130, Eatonton, GA 31024 to talk through your project with a local pro.
Your waterfront deserves more than average. It deserves Marine Specialties.
Marine Specialties serves Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, Lake Lanier, Lake Hartwell, Lake Allatoona, and surrounding Georgia and South Carolina lakes. Local Lake Oconee office now open in Eatonton, GA.
