Boat Docks: What to Know
Some of us have the luck of owning property that’s right next to the water. This can provide many opportunities for you and your family to enjoy pristine waters without the hassle of transporting your supplies and crew. While some people are fine splashing by the shore, you might be more interested in investing in a boat to keep your on-water experience more exciting. So if you’re going to have a boat near your property, consider getting a boat dock as well to make launching that much easier.
Here at your local boat dealer, Nisswa Marine, we’ve provided some tips for investing in a floating dock. That way, when you stop by our boat dealership in Nisswa, Minnesota, we can help you find the dock that’s right for you. We proudly serve Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth, and Grand Rapids.
Understand your Needs
Investing in a floating dock doesn’t exactly start and end with, “I just need a place to tie down my boat.” There are a lot of considerations to make when you’re looking around at your options. Size will probably be one of your biggest concerns. Think about how many boats you’ll need to accommodate, or how many sunbathers will want to hang out on your dock. The more boats and people you’re accommodating, the bigger the dock will need to be.
Floating docks are most helpful for those with smaller or lightweight boats, as they won’t need stronger anchors to keep them tethered. Size is also going to include length. You don’t want your dock to fall short of the mark and risk running aground every time you pull in.
Finally, you’ll want to think about the material your floating dock is made out of. You’ll probably find that plastic docks are some of the most common due to their affordability and rust and rot resistance. They’re can also be the safer option, as they won’t overheat or splinter.
Check Legal Parameters
Even on private lakes or waterfronts, you’ll want to check local and state regulations. This should probably be done before you buy, since it’s easier to adjust your search than to try and switch out a dock you’ve already purchased. Some of the best resources can be your neighbors and realtors. You can also look around at other properties and see what they’ve done for their floating docks. If you don’t see any floating docks, then that might be a sign that there are tighter dock restrictions in your area. There might also be restrictions on the size of your dock or you might need a permit. And also try to keep from keeping your neighbors from enjoying a dock of their own.
Installation and Upkeep
When you’re thinking about your budget, you won’t want to neglect the cost of installation and long-term maintenance. First, there’s installation. You might be a hands-on kind of person, but there are just as many people who’d rather leave it to the experts. If you’re going to hire a professional to install your deck--especially if you intend to remove your dock at the end of every boating season--you’ll want to check out the going rates for hiring these professionals.
Maintenance might be harder to estimate. It’s going to depend on the choices you make with size, intricacy, and construction material. We recommend doing a little research on best maintenance practices so you can figure out how it’s going to work into your long-term budget.
These should cover some of your basic considerations, but you might have other concerns you’ll want to ask our friendly staff about. Stop by Nisswa Marine and we’ll answer all your questions, or show you the floating dock options we have available right now. We welcome all patrons from Nisswa, Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth, and Grand Rapids, MN.