| u need to create a dock for boats in a marina, a river | | | | swimming, a larger rectangular or square dock would |
| or a lake you should consider building floating docks. | | | | be required. Separate docks can put together in |
| Although there are many options when it comes to | | | | letter-shaped formations such as 'T', 'L' or 'U'. These |
| getting docks, floating docks are quite popular. As | | | | formations help in assigning different areas for of the |
| compared to others, they can withstand a | | | | dock for different purposes – such as an area |
| considerable amount of vertical movement of the | | | | for sunbathing while another for mooring boats. |
| water. A floating dock is a ramp or a platform | | | | We talked about the need to decide on the size and |
| supported by pontoons. In order to adjust for the | | | | the shape of the dock as an important step. However, |
| vertical movement of the dock due to the water, | | | | the most important thing is to ensure that you have the |
| these are often joined with a ramp (that rests upon | | | | required permissions. As the dock will be constructed |
| the dock on rollers) to the shore. | | | | on a water-body, you will need to get the necessary |
| Before choosing a floating dock, or a 'floater' as it is | | | | permits based on the proposed location of dock. The |
| often referred to as, there are a few important things | | | | location chosen by you might just be the habitat of |
| that need to be assessed. For starters, although a | | | | endangered aquatic or marine species. In such a case, |
| floating dock can withstand moderate waves; under | | | | the location would need to be reconsidered. Also, if the |
| extreme assault of wind and waves the floater will not | | | | water-body is a busy waterway, permission from |
| be able to stay anchored to the shoreline and boats | | | | authorities will be required. Therefore, a visit to the |
| moored alongside may be damaged. The water needs | | | | authorities for inquiring about the proposed dock |
| to be deep enough to construct a floater as otherwise | | | | construction and getting required permissions should |
| it will keep bouncing against the ground beneath the | | | | precede the actual construction. In fact, this should be |
| water. In such cases, pipe or crib docks would be | | | | the first step for you even before you start thinking |
| better alternatives. Floating docks are best for deep | | | | about constructing the dock. |
| waters. | | | | Appointing a good builder for the job is also very |
| Once it is know that the conditions are suitable to | | | | important. For safety reasons, a builder will not |
| construct a floating dock, the next question that arises | | | | construct a floater smaller than 2-5 meters. The larger |
| is “how big it should be”. To answer this, | | | | the dock, in terms of surface area, and more the bulk, |
| the purpose for which the dock is required needs to | | | | the more stable the dock will be. On some narrow |
| be ascertained. If the dock will be used only for | | | | rectangular floaters, it is difficult to walk when water is |
| mooring boats alongside it, a long rectangular shaped | | | | particularly choppy. Thus, only an experienced builder |
| dock would be appropriate. The size of the dock | | | | who can give knowledgeable inputs should be given |
| should be proportional to the size of boats what will be | | | | the responsibility. A floating dock built in the right way is |
| moored. However, a dock can be used just to | | | | very safe, provides convenience and also helps in |
| increase waterfront area in an economical way. Thus, | | | | enjoying the water. |
| if the dock were to be used for sunbathing or | | | | |