Posted on January 16, 2020
How Do Floating Docks Work?
How Does a Floating Dock Work?
Written by ShoreMaster Marketing
Not all dock systems are created equal: some work better on certain shorelines than others. For some waterfronts, a floating dock system is the perfect fit. Floating docks do exactly what you’d expect—they float on the water rather than standing to the bottom of the lake / river.
How Does it Work?
A floating dock is a platform that is supported on air-tight, buoyant pontoons that displace water and allow the dock system to float on the water’s surface. These pontoons are built out of very sturdy material and often filled with expanded in place polystyrene or a similar material that allow the dock to keep floating if something manages to puncture the drum. Floating dock systems are often connected to the shore with a gangway and are easy for the seasonal boat owner to install and remove. While they’re connected to the shoreline, floating docks are also anchored into their body of water to keep them from floating away.
The Benefits of a Floating Dock
Floating docks are popular for a lot of shorelines, and it’s easy to see why. It’s very easy to add and remove modules, which allows floating dock designs to change whenever you need them to, including being removed completely for the season or in bad weather. They’re a great fit for shorelines with deep or fluctuating water levels: flotation allows your dock to adjust along with the water, and an anchor can reach further than the legs of a stationary or wheel-in dock can. This can also come in handy if you have electrical systems attached to your dock (you don’t want those to get submerged!) or are concerned about the natural environment by the water (because the sediment isn’t damaged by legs or piles). Also, floating docks are an attractive feature that will make your shoreline look great.
ShoreMaster Floating Docks
With decades of waterfront expertise, ShoreMaster has taken a lot of what makes floating docks a great choice for many waterfronts and expands on them. ShoreMaster floating dock systems set the industry standard in terms of stability, reliability, and ease of ownership thanks to high standards in building. All of the floats on our floating docks meet or exceed the requirements of the Hunt Absorption Test, meaning that even in the unlikely event of puncture damage to the outer shell your dock will maintain buoyancy. Precision-welded aluminum construction makes the frame extremely durable, lightweight, and low-maintenance, which means easy assembly, installation, removal, and ownership for years to come. The floats have rotationally molded outer shells that are infused with UV inhibitors to ensure durability even through seasons of installation, removal, and being outside in the elements.
ShoreMaster floating dock systems can use any of the nine premium decking options and are paired with the ShoreMaster exclusive InfinityTrack system. This gives you nearly unlimited customization options in the form of accessories that can be installed anywhere around your dock perimeter—and with the industry’s most accessory options all built with the same high standards as the docks themselves, you can add just about anything you can imagine to your floating dock design and trust that it will perform great.
Floating Dock Systems from ShoreMaster
ShoreMaster is an industry leader and expert in dock life and products. We have the widest variety of options you need for floating dock designs from decking to accessories and the expertise to help you make the perfect plans for your shoreline. A local ShoreMaster dealer can help you decide whether a floating dock is right for you and help you plan your perfect shoreline. Find a dealer today to start planning your floating dock set-up.
