Best Drive on Boat Docks by Material, Design, and Application

June 17, 2020

Living near a water body comes with its perks, comfortable transport in the form of boats is one of the better ones. There are many benefits of having waterways for movement. There is less traffic and a lot of space. However, boats do need docking places for their boat lift parts.

Getting the right drive on boat dock is not an easy undertaking. Every dock manufacturer and seller will tout their products as the best just to get you to buy from them. This is where this blog comes in, to provide you with the right information that will guide your choice.

What are Drive on Boat Docks and How Do They Work?

A drive-on boat dock is a floating space you create upon which a small boat or a jet ski can rest when not in use. Letting your jet skis and boats rest away from the water is a recommended maintenance practice.

A drive on boat dock serves many purposes. Among them, it creates a ramp upon which people and goods can be offloaded without coming into contact with water. These ramps are called berthing space.

They also anchor the boats in place. An unanchored boat tends to drift away with the tide. There are many types of boat docks for sale in the market. Here is a short guide on the best ones.

Best Drive on Boat Docks

The functionality behind drive on docks can be categorized into 2 groups: Based on the design, and on the material used to build them.

When it comes to design, the best drive on boat docks include;

Crib Docks

These are made from frames and crates constructed from wood and are placed along the bottom. The spaces in them are then filled with rocks then carefully covered with decking. Owing to how they are made, setting up a crib dock is quite costly, but they are incredibly stable.

There are shortcomings to this structure. One of the major ones is that it disrupts the natural flow of water and, consequently, marine wildlife. On top of that, it is impossible to extend them if the need ever arises in the future.

Suspension Docks

These are types of docks that use cables and other forms of anchorage to hang over the water. They have less impact on the environment compared to crib docks. Considering the expertise required to construct a suspension dock, the cost is quite prohibitive for many people.

The glaring drawback to this type of dock is that it is fixed. In the event of adverse weather conditions, suspension docks take a lot of damage, which leads to more repair expenses.

Floating Docks

These are massive platforms decking over tight air drums that float just under the surface of the water. Most come pre-built, which makes it easy for them to be set up. Floating docks are quite flexible; they rise and fall with the tide, which means they do not take much damage. They can also be installed practically anywhere with water.

The stand-out advantage of having this set-up is that most electrical systems needed will never be submerged. In the case of powerful storms, the boat dock can be hauled off into storage and returned later quickly.

Piling Docks

Piling docks are made by driving massive wooden beams deep into the ground just below the surface of the water. The dock is then attached to the extended pilings, allowing them to rise and fall with the tide.

The cost of setting up and maintaining piling docks is quite high, but they are reliable and robust. This kind of set-up works best for larger boats.

Pipe Docks

These are constructed using aluminum frames and are stationary; they submerge every time the tide rises. Pipedocks are not as stable as the other two, but they are the cheapest to construct, which makes them an excellent temporary option.

They work best in shallow waters that range between 7-8 feet. The disadvantage of using pipe dock is that they are highly susceptible to damage in the face of strong currents and icy waters.

Best Drive-On Boat Docks Based on Material

When it comes to the best drive-on boat docks based on the material used, the following are the best you can find.

Wood Docks

Docks made of wood are aesthetically pleasing to look at. But the cost of maintaining them is quite high as they are vulnerable to rot and insect damage. Untreated wood will always fall to termites, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles.

Marinetek, a Finish company founded in 1994, is a global leader in the manufacture of wooden docks. They operate in around 45 countries and have manufacturing plants in 12 of those.

Plastic Docks

They are the most durable and cost-effective. They are easy to install, are hard to damage, and can float without the need for unnecessary addition of other forms of support. The biggest advantage of plastic docks is the ease and the cost of constructing them.

Hisedock is one company that has positioned itself as the best plastic dock maker. Located in Zhejiang, China, Hiseadock has clients in over 80 countries.

Aluminum Docks

Aluminum docks are the most watertight of all docking materials. Most come pre-built, which makes constructing them much easier and cheaper. One of the many advantages is that they are highly resistant and way lighter than the other materials.

Their sturdiness can also be a drawback if they come into contact with a boat. A boat that regularly brushes against an aluminum dock will sustain some damage in the long run. Among aluminum dock manufacturers, Alumadock, an American company, has set itself apart from the rest. They have been in business since 1983.

Conclusion

When it comes to setting up your drive on boat dock, you have to consider your future plans. If you have any intention of moving or expanding, then removable boat docks should be on your bucket list. It all comes down to how comfortable you want to be.

With this information in your hand, it is now time for you to get yourself a drive on boat dock. Contact us today to get a free estimate of the best plastic drive on boat dock in the market.

Best Drive on Boat Docks by Material, Design, and Application

Table of Contents

What are Drive on Boat Docks and How Do They Work?