How to Select the Best Place to Locate Your Boat Dock
Floating boat docks are not stand alone structures, yet they are the only kind of boat dock that is practical for Grand Lake, where water levels change according to nature and the necessities of Grand Lake management.
This is important to think about, because they must be built in conformity with the nature of the shoreline – where the land meets the water. No two sites are the same, so one of the first things to consider is how your dock should be designed to fit the characteristics of the shoreline.
If the shoreline is steep as it meets the water, then your dock may need a longer walkway with occasional steps or tiers to properly align it with the entrance to your dock. Obviously, it’s easier and less costly to site your boat dock on a shoreline with minimal incline that will accommodate most any kind of walkway.
Next you must evaluate your site. Is it on a windy point with a lot of wave action? Or is it tucked away in a quiet cove or bay? Is the shoreline mainly bedrock or do you have a sandy or mucky shoreline? These items make some difference, especially regarding the typical winds experienced on Grand Lake. Wind bracing is a general requirement for boat docks here.
A floating boat dock requires expertise in anchoring it offshore to prevent it from drifting along shore to another owner’s property. Your dock designer and builder will be able to show you the width necessary on the shoreline for the two or more angling braces that must be set on the shore to hold your boat dock in line and with the shore. These things concern the design, construction and expert placement of your boat dock, and are best left to an expert.
Probably the most important aspect you should consider is that your dock is designed and built to accommodate the various uses you and your family want for your dock. The most obvious thing is that you want a place to moor your boat. So, your boat’s size and its draft below the water line must be considered. Measurements might need to be made to assure the site is suitable for deep draft boats. And the height of your boat will dictate the height of eave of the boat dock’s roof and the headroom inside your boat dock. If you prefer your boat to be lifted out of the water in your absence, your dock will need to be designed and built with space needed for a boat-lift.
Your needs and what you have in the way of waterfront property dictate the shape, size, and type of dock. If you want a place to swim, fish, launch a canoe or a kayak, the water depth can be important to you for this as well. You may want an open deck area for sunbathing and soaking up the sun. Or maybe just to leisurely sit and watch the world go by. All these needs and wants and others yet to be considered will go into the planning and construction of a boat dock.
Other things to decide upon before the dock is designed and built are the kind of material for the roof – baked on enamel roofing will substantially reduce your long-term costs for maintenance while having a pleasing appearance as well. Wood decking of waterproof treated wood, well-sealed with an epoxy stain or paint will likewise make a difference in the long-term maintenance of the deck as well as having a non-slip surface when it’s wet. The estimated need for storage areas or closets never seems to be enough, so this should be built somewhat larger than is expected to be needed.
Obviously, finances also play a role, but as we will see, docks are usually modular in construction methods and devices, allowing you to add and rearrange dock sections over time. So rather than compromise your dreams with a substandard dock, complete your dream in stages as your finances permit.
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Tips for Sighting And Planning a Boat Dock by Bill Morgan, Grand Lake Dock, LLC. Happy boating. www.grandlakedock.com
This is important to think about, because they must be built in conformity with the nature of the shoreline – where the land meets the water. No two sites are the same, so one of the first things to consider is how your dock should be designed to fit the characteristics of the shoreline.
If the shoreline is steep as it meets the water, then your dock may need a longer walkway with occasional steps or tiers to properly align it with the entrance to your dock. Obviously, it’s easier and less costly to site your boat dock on a shoreline with minimal incline that will accommodate most any kind of walkway.
Next you must evaluate your site. Is it on a windy point with a lot of wave action? Or is it tucked away in a quiet cove or bay? Is the shoreline mainly bedrock or do you have a sandy or mucky shoreline? These items make some difference, especially regarding the typical winds experienced on Grand Lake. Wind bracing is a general requirement for boat docks here.
A floating boat dock requires expertise in anchoring it offshore to prevent it from drifting along shore to another owner’s property. Your dock designer and builder will be able to show you the width necessary on the shoreline for the two or more angling braces that must be set on the shore to hold your boat dock in line and with the shore. These things concern the design, construction and expert placement of your boat dock, and are best left to an expert.
Probably the most important aspect you should consider is that your dock is designed and built to accommodate the various uses you and your family want for your dock. The most obvious thing is that you want a place to moor your boat. So, your boat’s size and its draft below the water line must be considered. Measurements might need to be made to assure the site is suitable for deep draft boats. And the height of your boat will dictate the height of eave of the boat dock’s roof and the headroom inside your boat dock. If you prefer your boat to be lifted out of the water in your absence, your dock will need to be designed and built with space needed for a boat-lift.
Your needs and what you have in the way of waterfront property dictate the shape, size, and type of dock. If you want a place to swim, fish, launch a canoe or a kayak, the water depth can be important to you for this as well. You may want an open deck area for sunbathing and soaking up the sun. Or maybe just to leisurely sit and watch the world go by. All these needs and wants and others yet to be considered will go into the planning and construction of a boat dock.
Other things to decide upon before the dock is designed and built are the kind of material for the roof – baked on enamel roofing will substantially reduce your long-term costs for maintenance while having a pleasing appearance as well. Wood decking of waterproof treated wood, well-sealed with an epoxy stain or paint will likewise make a difference in the long-term maintenance of the deck as well as having a non-slip surface when it’s wet. The estimated need for storage areas or closets never seems to be enough, so this should be built somewhat larger than is expected to be needed.
Obviously, finances also play a role, but as we will see, docks are usually modular in construction methods and devices, allowing you to add and rearrange dock sections over time. So rather than compromise your dreams with a substandard dock, complete your dream in stages as your finances permit.
____________________________________________________________________
Tips for Sighting And Planning a Boat Dock by Bill Morgan, Grand Lake Dock, LLC. Happy boating. www.grandlakedock.com