What Is the Best Dock System for You? 2 Ways to Find Out

If you live by a water body, you may find it absolutely necessary to build a dock for boating as well as other waterfront needs. However, there are some crucial things you have to consider first when deciding the type of dock system to build on your lake/ocean/seafront property. Floating and fixed dock systems are usually the major types available, but you can be sure to find other dock systems too. Therefore, knowing the difference between the types of docks and factors that can affect your choice is, therefore, important. For this reason, here are major ways to find out the right dock system for you.

Shoreline Conditions

The shoreline offers a form of support for most types of docks. For this reason, start by evaluating the type of surface on your shoreline. This includes the surface under the water too. Standing or fixed docks are usually fitted with 'legs' as their main support mechanism. For these legs to be sturdy enough, they have to be secured into the ground, and pebbled or sandy surfaces will make this possible. However, if the shoreline as well as the surface under the water is made up of solid rock, embedding the legs of a standard dock would prove difficult. For this reason, a floating dock may be your best alternative. This type of dock often contains floatation units and is kept in place by vertical poles tethered to your seabed instead of the lake/ocean/sea bottom.

If you have a shallow shoreline, consider a wheel-in dock. Basically, this is a piped dock containing wheels. You can easily wheel this type of dock into deeper waters and bring it back at your convenience. However, your lake/ocean/sea bottom has to be firm enough for this type of dock to be efficient. A solid rock bottom would be an excellent condition.

Water Level

The level of water is also another fundamental aspect to consider when deciding on a dock system. Deep waters will create more pull and push on your dock, which can lead to wear and tear. For this reason, a standing dock may not be the best option for deeper waters. If the level of water fluctuates throughout the year, a floating dock is the best solution. It rises and falls with the level of water. This makes it much easier to board or disembark because the level of your boat and the dock will always remain the same regardless of the level of water. If you live in an area, such as the coastal region that experiences large variations in tides, a floating dock, or pontoon, is the best system for you.

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