The most satisfying feeling of owning a lakeside property is the potential to make a dock for your boat and enjoy the views in front. However, there are a few steps you need to compare before building a dock, including safety, appeal, and space utilization.
How A Dock Is Advantageous
Owning a dock has many benefits, especially if you have a lakeside property. It saves you a lot of time and hassle when using your boat for various purposes. The first perk allows you to use your boat anytime without worrying about other owners. It also reduces the worry of congestion in public docks or damaging your boat while docking.
You can also personalize your dock to your preference and add a few adjustments for disabled persons or other users. It also ensures that friends and family have a memorable experience when using your boat or yacht. If you plan on making a lake dock in Greenville, you can always Google “lumber yard Greenville SC” to get the best stores near you.
Stationary vs. Floating Docks
Floating docks float on the lake, rising and falling with the seal level. They are essential in areas where the tidal difference is much higher, so there are no issues when there is a big drop during the dry season. In places where the lake freezes during winter, you can store the dock away until summer.
Stationary or piling docks are lifelong structures built on concrete or wood piles deep inside the lake’s water bed. They are sturdy and stable, making them a good option for people who don’t have high rises and falls.
A lake dock can be an effortless structure, depending on your needs. Consider the materials, cost, and lake sea level if you plan to build one.
Check Water Depth
You must assess the lake bed’s depth, especially when installing a stationary dock. The best conditions for building a lake dock would be sandy and generally flat. Beds with deep drops or rocky surfaces can easily damage the boat.
Checking the water depth also means monitoring sea rises and falls. Aim for a minimal height difference that will not affect the boat’s buoyancy. If the lake bed is not flat enough or has a high sea rise and fall, you might want to consider another location or abandon the project.
Check Dock Materials
Weather conditions, lake bed, and water depth determine the type of material to build a dock. Wood is a common material due to its affordability. However, it is high maintenance and can be costly in the long run. Plastic lumber is a more reliable option, as it can make dock planks and the understructure. It is mold-resistant and does not peel off when exposed to water.
Some people use aluminum to build docks since it lasts longer than the two. However, it is not advisable to use aluminum because it can corrode, and cleaning it is challenging.
Budget and Maintenance
Once you identify why you want a dock, you must understand how your choice affects running costs and maintenance. Wood may be cheaper, but it does not last five years without constant repairs or mold removal in high tides. Synthetic materials will last for decades and are more efficient.
While budget is vital when docking, you don’t want to spend the lowest amount, which often leads to a time-consuming, stressful, lower-quality dock. The more personalized your dock, the more expensive it is. Adding extra boat lifts, kayak launchers, and deepwater specialty docks adds more value, affecting the overall cost.
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