October 31, 2024

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing

Fall Dock Maintenance Tips for Ensuring the Infinity RS7 Stays Strong

As fall ushers in cooler temperatures and more unpredictable weather, it also presents an excellent opportunity to prepare your dock system for those seasonal shifts. Below, we offer practical tips for maintaining your ShoreMaster Infinity RS7 and protecting it from the unique challenges of the transitional season and the colder months ahead. 

Preparing for Fall: Why Dock Maintenance is Essential  

While the Infinity RS7 features ShoreMaster’s signature dime-welded, all-aluminum construction for unparalleled strength, stability, and durability, it still requires proactive care to maintain peak performance. Fall weather can bring fluctuating water levels, falling debris, and colder temperatures that can impact your dock’s condition. 

Proactive maintenance allows you to spot potential issues while preparing your dock for the harsher winter conditions. Addressing these during the offseason can preempt potential safety hazards and costly repairs while ensuring your floating dock system is primed for the boating season.  

Inspecting the Infinity RS7 for Seasonal Wear  

While the weather permits, conduct a thorough inspection of your Infinity RS7, paying close attention to the following areas:

• Dock Surface: Check the deck panels for cracks, warping, or loose planks. Fall debris like leaves and branches can accumulate on the surface and in gaps, causing staining or mildew growth when left unattended. 
• Connectors and Fasteners: Look for any loose or missing bolts, screws, or connectors and signs of corrosion. These components are critical to the structural integrity of the dock, especially as the elements take their toll during the colder months. 
• Hardware: Carefully inspect the dock frame and all welded components, looking for any signs of stress or cracking. Since these areas are crucial to the dock's stability, even minor issues should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage.    
• Anchoring System: Verify that your anchoring system is secure and can withstand fluctuating weather conditions. If necessary, reinforce the anchoring system to prevent the dock from shifting or drifting.

We recommend inspecting your dock quarterly to stay on top of potential safety issues and prevent significant repairs or replacements. 

Essential Tools and Supplies for Dock Maintenance  

Just as a boat maintenance checklist can help facilitate the process, you can use this resource as a guide to help make your Infinity RS7 maintenance more efficient:

• Garden Hose: Pressure washers can be too powerful and may damage delicate surfaces and other sensitive parts of the dock. For those who use pressure washers, Discover Boating recommends using a fan-tip nozzle to reduce the force of the water. Hold the tip about one foot from the dock and keep the pressure at or below 600 PSI (Discover Boating, n.d.).
• Cleaning Solutions: Use eco-friendly dock cleaners that won’t harm the water and surrounding environment. We recommend using everyday household items, such as a soft brush, mild detergent mixed with water, baking soda, and white vinegar. In addition to being economical solutions, they’re highly effective for removing everything from dirt and grime to algae, mildew, and other stubborn stains.  
• Hand Tools: Gather the tools you used for assembling the Infinity RS7 to tighten bolts and screws on connectors, railings, and other dock accessories. We also recommend having extra bolts and screws on hand in case you need to replace anything. 
• Lubricants and Protectants: To prevent rust build-up, use marine-grade lubricant for moving parts and hinges and protective coatings on metal parts. 

With these tools and practical tips, you’ll be well-prepared to handle essential maintenance tasks to keep your boat docking system in excellent condition through every season. 

How to Properly Clean and Maintain Your Dock in Fall  

Cleaning your dock is one of the most important steps in fall maintenance. It ensures that debris, dirt, and other organic matter don’t cause staining, rotting, or mildew growth over the winter months. Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively cleaning your Infinity RS7:

• Remove Debris: Start by removing leaves, twigs, and other debris from the dock surface. If left unattended, leaves can trap moisture and promote mold growth. 
• Wash: Clear out gaps and wash away dirt, grime, and marine growth using a mild soap and water solution. Scrub the surface gently with a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly with a hose. For stubborn stains, try a paste made from baking soda and water or a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water.
• Inspect and Repair: Watch for any surface damage or loose components as you clean. Tighten loose screws, bolts, and connectors, and address any cracks or damage you find. Remember, tighten all nuts and bolts but don’t over-tighten set screws, as this can cause parts to bend or break.   

When performing preventive maintenance, always wear protective gear, such as gloves and goggles, and use cleaning solutions recommended by the manufacturer, as some materials may be sensitive to certain chemicals. (Cleanestor, n.d.). For more information, check out our blog on How to Clean a Dock. 

Long-Term Care Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Your Infinity RS7 Dock  

We recommend removing the dock system from water during winter, as exposure to ice conditions voids applicable warranties. You can either remove each frame with the decking panels in place or remove the panels before detaching the frames. Stack panels on a flat surface and store them in a dry space. If you're leaving the dock in the water, protecting it with a high-quality cover when not in use is essential to preserving its longevity. This will shield it from snow, heavy rain, debris, and harmful UV rays.

ShoreMaster has pioneered designs and technologies for over four decades, setting the industry standard for docking solutions that look great and perform even better. Our efforts have culminated with the Infinity RS7 – a robust modular docking solution designed to perfectly complement your waterfront conditions and lifestyle throughout the changing seasons.

If you’re unsure about certain repairs, want a more thorough inspection, or cannot perform essential maintenance and repairs, consider hiring a professional dock maintenance service. Most ShoreMaster dealers offer service visits to help maintain your Infinity Dock System. Contact us today to find a dealer near you. 

References:

• Discover Boating (n.d.). The Top 6 Boat Dock Maintenance Tips. Retrieved from https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/the-top-6-boat-dock-maintenance-tips 
• Cleanestor (n.d.). How to Clean a Dock. https://cleanestor.com/how-to-clean-a-dock/