How to choose the right portable dock for your needs.

  Your dock is the backbone of your waterfront experience.  It has to fit your many uses, complement your waterfront home style, and perform as promised for years to come.  So which one to choose?   Here's a quick description of the main types of docks and where they work best, to help you choose.

Wheel-A-Docks are ideal if your waterfront freezes in winter, and if you have a fairly firm lake bottom, a gradual grade, and minimal elevation at the shore.  You'll also need a clearing when you pull the entire dock up and out of the water.   If your site meets these conditions, a wheeled dock will be the easiest to install and remove.  Just roll it in, all in one piece, in the spring.  Then roll it back out in the fall.  As long as you don't mind the look of the intact dock on your property throughout the winter, this is a great choice.

Standing Docks work well in a wider variety of circumstances.  They're your best choice in rough water conditions, where waves pass easily through the legs.  If your dock can be installed permanently, it can be placed on pilings for a very solid working surface.  In salt water, wooden pilings are used to avoid corrosion. If you will remove your dock for winter or other seasonal needs, standing docks can be designed for quick and easy installation and removal.  And they stack nicely for better appearance during the off-season.

Floating Docks are the perfect solution if you have a site with deep water, significant water fluctuation or where the bottom is too mucky for wheeled docks or standing docks.   If your site is exposed to heavy waves or boat wakes, a "U" shaped dock is the best choice.  Decking choices are almost unlimited and these work best in the water all year.  Anchoring is done through cables, stiff arms, ramps, or sea anchors in many different combinations.

Materials can also make a difference in the look, performance and cost of your dock.  Frames can be made of galvanized steel or aluminum, and decking can be made of wood for a natural look or vinyl or aluminum for minimal maintenance.

        Decking Options