How Floating Docks Are Built
Posted on April 14, 2010 - Filed Under Business | Leave a Comment
If you need to create a dock for boats in a marina, a river or a lake you should consider building floating docks. Although there are many options when it comes to getting docks, floating docks are quite popular. As compared to others, they can withstand a considerable amount of vertical movement of the water. A floating dock is a ramp or a platform supported by pontoons. In order to adjust for the vertical movement of the dock due to the water, these are often joined with a ramp (that rests upon the dock on rollers) to the shore.
Before choosing a floating dock, or a 'floater' as it is often referred to as, there are a few important things that need to be assessed. For starters, although a floating dock can withstand moderate waves; under extreme assault of wind and waves the floater will not be able to stay anchored to the shoreline and boats moored alongside may be damaged. The water needs to be deep enough to construct a floater as otherwise it will keep bouncing against the ground beneath the water. In such cases, pipe or crib docks would be better alternatives. Floating docks are best for deep waters.
Once it is know that the conditions are suitable to construct a floating dock, the next question that arises is "how big it should be". To answer this, the purpose for which the dock is required needs to be ascertained. If the dock will be used only for mooring boats alongside it, a long rectangular shaped dock would be appropriate. The size of the dock should be proportional to the size of boats what will be moored. However, a dock can be used just to increase waterfront area in an economical way. Thus, if the dock were to be used for sunbathing or swimming, a larger rectangular or square dock would be required. Separate docks can put together in letter-shaped formations such as 'T', 'L' or 'U'. These formations help in assigning different areas for of the dock for different purposes - such as an area for sunbathing while another for mooring boats.
We talked about the need to decide on the size and the shape of the dock as an important step. However, the most important thing is to ensure that you have the required permissions. As the dock will be constructed on a water-body, you will need to get the necessary permits based on the proposed location of dock. The location chosen by you might just be the habitat of endangered aquatic or marine species. In such a case, the location would need to be reconsidered. Also, if the water-body is a busy waterway, permission from authorities will be required. Therefore, a visit to the authorities for inquiring about the proposed dock construction and getting required permissions should precede the actual construction. In fact, this should be the first step for you even before you start thinking about constructing the dock.
Appointing a good builder for the job is also very important. For safety reasons, a builder will not construct a floater smaller than 2-5 meters. The larger the dock, in terms of surface area, and more the bulk, the more stable the dock will be. On some narrow rectangular floaters, it is difficult to walk when water is particularly choppy. Thus, only an experienced builder who can give knowledgeable inputs should be given the responsibility. A floating dock built in the right way is very safe, provides convenience and also helps in enjoying the water.
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