Posted on June 6, 2019
Types of Docks: Different Types of Boat and Floating Docks
Types of Docks
Written by ShoreMaster Marketing
Spring is a great time to get your dock installed if you’re boating in the north. ShoreMaster started in Minnesota, so we understand the impact of all four seasons on your waterfront life. Whether you’re a seasonal installation pro or just getting started, we have some dock installation tips to help the process go smoothly so you can spend more time having fun on the water when the weather warms up.
There are various types of docks, including standing sectional, standing wheel-in, and floating docks. Each of these types of boat docks has its own benefits for waterfront property owners wanting to get the most out of their shoreline. There are a lot of options available for waterfront property owners, and ultimately your choice comes down to what will work best on your shoreline. Some docks work better in shallower water, others can accommodate a rocky bottom, and others might require a little extra help to install.
Whatever your boat dock preferences or needs are, ShoreMaster can give you a high-quality product that fits your waterfront vision. Here are the basics of the three types of boat docks that we offer.
Standing Sectional Docks
Standing sectional docks are dock sections that are connected to each other and the shore and mounted on legs in the water. Sectional docks come apart, making them easy to assemble, install, remove, and customize. Combine this with ShoreMaster’s exclusive features and a wide variety of dock accessories, and standing sectional docks are one of the types of boat docks that work well for a variety of dock owners.
Advantages of Standing Sectional Docks
Standing sectional docks are easy to remove from the water and store for the winter. If you remove the decking and legs, the dock sections stack up very neatly, making them convenient to store out of sight when you don’t need it on the water. Standing docks are an ideal fit for bodies of water with firm bottoms and work very well in areas with rough water because waves pass through the legs and they won’t bob or float away. Combined with the customization options available from ShoreMaster, a standing sectional dock is a type of boat dock that works well for a variety of owners.
Disadvantages of Standing Sectional Docks
These docks do need a firm bottom in order to work their very best. Depending on how hands-on you want to be with your dock installation, standing sectional docks might require a bit more work—unless you’re using the easy-to-use ShoreMaster Infinity frame system—but standing sectional docks can be installed by one person depending on the size. This might not be a deal breaker for some boat dock owners, but if you’d rather not handle the installation yourself, ShoreMaster’s customer support team can help you with the instructions and installation.
Standing Wheel-In Docks
Standing wheel-in docks are similar to standing sectional docks except that they have wheels on the bottom. This allows these docks to be rolled into and out of the water when it’s time to install or remove the dock. They’re a great fit for seasonal use, and the ShoreMaster Infinity frame system means that you can accessorize to your heart’s content.
Advantages of Standing Wheel-In Docks
The obvious perk of standing wheel-in docks is that they can be easily installed and removed each season—just roll your dock out into the water, secure it, and you’re all set for the season. This type of dock is also perfect for areas with firm bottoms and a shoreline with a low grade and elevation.
Disadvantages of Standing Wheel-In Docks
If your shoreline is very rocky or steep, you might have some problems getting your standing wheel-in dock in and out of your water. Waterfront property owners with more compact shorelines will also need to take that into consideration when thinking about dock set up and what can be realistically rolled up onto your property. For ShoreMaster boat dock owners, bulkiness isn’t as much of an issue as the Infinity frame connections that link the lightweight aluminum sections together means quick and easy reattachment, reconfiguration, and the addition of any accessories that you’ll need to make your dream dock a reality. ShoreMaster docks and dock accessories are also built to stand up to seasons of outdoor use while maintaining peak performance and looking beautiful, meaning that you can count on your poly tires, dock legs, and more to last for the life of your dock.
Floating Docks
Floating docks are docks made of dock sections attached to flotation devices and anchored into place. They sit on top of the water and therefore work well in areas where the water level can change. A ShoreMaster floating dock is built to the same high standards that our other types of docks are for peace of mind and have a number of configurability options to make your dock one of a kind.
Advantages of Floating Docks
Probably the biggest advantage of floating docks is that they effortlessly adapt to fluctuating water levels without requiring you to make major adjustments from the shore. In this way, they’re also great for areas with water that might be too deep for standing or wheel-in types of docks or areas with uneven bottoms.
Disadvantages of Floating Docks
Because floating docks aren’t attached to legs like the standing dock alternatives are, they might feel a little less stable while you’re walking on them. This is also true of floating docks in areas with a lot of heavy waves. The wider and heavier a floating dock is, the more stable and secure it will feel.
Luckily, ShoreMaster boat dock owners don’t have to worry about stability. The flotation devices on ShoreMaster floating docks have superior performance and stability thanks to a precision welded aluminum construction built to the highest standards. The rotationally-molded flotation device shells are infused with UV inhibitors to ensure that they last longer in the elements, and the foam beads inside of the devices keep your dock buoyant in the event that something manages to damage its outer shell. We are the industry standard for reliability, stability, and ease of ownership for a reason, and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice peace of mind for a dock that meets your shoreline’s needs.
ShoreMaster Docks
We at ShoreMaster have decades of expertise and experience behind each of our products. From an industry-leading number of accessories and customization options to our knowledgeable customer service team, ShoreMaster is all about quality from every possible angle. If you want to start making your dock plans a reality or have any questions about the types of docks, contact ShoreMaster or a local ShoreMaster dealer.
