A new dock is not only an investment in your home or property, but it’s also an extension of your home.
It can be a place where friends and family gather to enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and making memories. Whether your property sits on a lake, river, harbour or oceanfront, having a private dock offers a number of advantages to homeowners and businesses alike. Some benefits of owning your own private dock include:
- Convenient access to the water
- No storage or slip fees
- Guaranteed slip availability
- Added security for your watercraft
- Personalized construction and accessories
- Increased property value
- Additional usage for other activities like swimming, fishing, kayaking, socializing with friends, and relaxing
But where to start? Follow our 5-step plan
and you’ll be on your way to choosing a great dock in no time.
Step 1: Analyse your needs This step may seem rather basic, but thoughtful consideration of environmental and aesthetic features will allow you to create a space that is pleasant and inviting as well as functional.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself:
Where do you plan on putting your dock?
What is the depth of the water and the condition at the bottom?
How many boats will the dock need to accommodate at once?
Are there other types of watercrafts such as kayaks, pedal boats or sea-doos that will use the dock as well?
Will the water level rise and fall drastically, potentially limiting the dock’s usage?
What are the surface conditions of the water? Are you in an area that’s prone to heavy boat traffic or frequent storms?
What is your budget?
How much are you willing to put into maintaining the dock?
Are you planning on installing the dock yourself, or are looking to hire someone to do it for you?
Do you want to use the dock as a place to gather with family and friends?
Whether you’re planning to install a dock in a residential or a commercial space, you should take the time to consider how your dock needs may change with time.
Step 2: Determine your lake’s rules and regulations
Are you aware of the local regulations and restrictions that you will have to meet?
For example, some private lakes, only allow floating docks set on encapsulated foam drums or floats.
Flaunting those restrictions puts you at risk facing a fine, and/or receiving an order to remove the dock. You should also take care that your dock doesn’t block your neighbors’ ability to enjoy the waterfront, too.
For a new private dock, most homeowners associations will usually require that you submit an application in order to obtain a permit allowing you to build a private dock on your lakefront property. You’ll also be required to pay a fee for that permit. Keep in mind that your local municipality may dictate what size dock you can build.
Once you’ve decided on the location, type, and size of your dock, talk to your local building officials about which permits you need and from which regulators. Some of the restrictions and requirements you may come across include:
- Avoiding damage to the ecosystem (you’ll often be restricted from removing any aquatic vegetation or excavating any bed material in order to clear a path for your dock)
- Blocking public access (if your home is near the public part of a lake)
- The location of the dock (private docks are usually required to be built perpendicular to the shoreline in order to maximize the offsets from any neighboring properties)
- The length of the dock
- Free-flowing water requirements (under the dock)
- Material requirements
- Etc.
Working with professionals to help you choose and install your dock will ensure you avoid any issues.
Step 3: Picking the right type of dock There are essentially two types of docks: Floating docks and Stationary docks.
Floating docks
Floating docks are large platforms often comprised of decking placed over airtight drums, that float on the water’s surface. They also come as pre-built sections that can be attached in a variety of configurations and shapes.
Stationary docks
A stationary dock is a stable solution that can be used as an extension of your property for a variety of occasions such as family gatherings, evenings with friends, and other social events you host at home. Stationary docks are very stable and strong, making them solid option.
For additional information on the types of docks, you can refer to this article.
Step 4: Choosing accessories
Consider what accessories the dock manufacturer offers such as furniture, bumpers, ladders and steps, so you can fully enjoy your dock. Plush options include space-saving table and chair sets that mount on the side of docks. 3-piece furniture, steps, fishing pole holders and canoe/kayak rack – things to help people spend quality time on their docks.
There are many ways to customize your boating dock. Whether you want to make it family-friendly or use it for fishing and mooring other items (such as sea-doos or kayaks), options are available.
Step 5: Installation and Maintenance - How much are you willing to do yourself? Before you purchase, consider installation and maintenance. MultiKit has well-equipped crews that will put in and take out your dock every season, for a price of course.
Maintenance is yet another consideration. Plastic docks require an occasional power wash or scrubbing with a brush. How involved the maintenance of a fixed dock can be depends on its size, complexity and construction material. Wood decking, for instance will need fresh stain periodically.
Homeowners that already have some handyman skills may be able to build their own dock if it's a smaller floating dock. However, building a dock isn't an easy process, especially if you don't have experience with waterfront structures.
More often than not, the best route is to hire a professional. Although it may cost you a bit more upfront, you'll have the peace of mind knowing that your dock is secure and properly built.
What about the environment?
These days most docks are environmentally friendly. The only thing that homeowners really need to be concerned about is the type of materials used for their docks. Pressure-treated decking is not recommended for water contact situations. Cedar, aluminum or PVC decking is considered to be the best.
Multikit takes the impact of any docks and lift installed on the environment very seriously. We take tremendous precautions when working in sensible ecosystem environments such as water fronts.
Finally, if you’re building a floating dock, avoid using barrels for flotation unless you are able to verify that their original contents were not hazardous to a waterfront environment.
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About MultiKit
Multikit was borne out of the fusion of several passions: wakeboarding, wakesurfing, boating and construction. If you're a water sports enthusiast, you know how important it is to moor your boat and we understand you.
For more than 20 years, we have carried out hundreds of dock projects of all kinds and for all types of boats for residential applications as well as for marinas. We are passionate about our work and we are only satisfied when you are. Boating is a passion and our expertise in designing systems and installing your docks is our business.