1. What are your length and width requirements?

Is this dock going to merely be access to your boat or will it be a floating deck capable of supporting 20 people with deck chairs and coolers? Keep in mind that the larger the floating dock, the more stable it will be.

2. What are your height requirements?

Height out of the water (freeboard) is a key factor in your float selection. All of our floats will draw about 3 or 4 inches of water with a deck but no other load. Therefore the deck on a 16 inch high dock should have about 12 inches of freeboard before anyone steps on. This is a great height for most cottage docks offering maximum stability for your dollar. Shoulder floats and All Purpose floats can be used with different frame lumber to vary overall height. A 2 x 10 frame will make a dock 2 inches higher than a 2 x 8 framed dock.

3. Do you have an application for built in bumpers?

Series 1 Bumperfloats can be spread out to any width using the All Purpose Floats for extra floatation for docks 10 feet or wider. Series 2 Bumperfloats can make a dock 4 feet wide of any length in multiples of 4 feet with bumpers on both sides.

4. How many floats will I need?

BF-1 Bumperfloats run the length of your dock on both sides so if you want to make a 16 foot by 8 foot floater, you would need 4 BF-1’s for each side for a total of 8 floats. If you wanted to make a dock 20 feet x 12 feet, you would need 5 BF-1 floats for each side and a row of 5 AP-8’s running up the center. To make a T shape, U shape or L shape dock using Bumperfloats, simply use Model AP-8 instead of BF-1 where you want to connect the other sections.

5. Can I Leave my new dock in all year round?

On many lakes this is possible however you need to check with people on your lake for ice break up conditions in the spring. To leave the floating dock in, make sure it cannot touch anything other than water. Separate all floating sections and ramps by disconnecting hinge pins. Anchor the deep end and tie off the shallow end to shore leaving about 6 feet of slack. Skid Plate Floats have moulded holes on the bottom to attach skid plates allowing you to drag your dock out with heavy equipment.

Dock Floats offer these features:

• Moulded of 100% virgin black LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) by stress free rotational moulding.
• UV8 ultraviolet light stabilizer compounded in.
• 10 year warranty.
• ISO9001 Quality Assurance.
• Foam filled with EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) for added security.