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How to Stabilize Plastic Floating Docks

How to Stabilize Plastic Floating Docks

May 05, 2021

The use of plastics in making floating docks revolutionized the entire industry. They are not only cheaper to make, but the flexible options available are so many, you are only limited by your own creativity. However, owing to how lightweight they are, getting them to maintain stability when in use has been the biggest problem for many owners. Fortunately for many, there are ways that one can use to make them more stable on the water, and these are the things we are going to explore today. If you have been planning to get yourself a floating dock, then this is for you.

Attaching It to the Shore

Without anchorage to the shore, what you have is a floating mass of plastic floats that can be swept away at any moment. Plastic materials are buoyant, and this means they are at the mercy of the water current. Therefore, to stop them from being washed away or switching away from their required position, you have to anchor them to land. This can be done through the use of wood planks or metal pillars. Make sure the metal you chose to go with are the non-rusting types, and the wood planks are well treated to avoid the rot from taking over too quickly.

Adding Weights

Another clever way of ensuring the boat dock lift systems are grounded to one place would be to add strategically placed weights under its entire length. This could range from metallic balls to concrete blocks that can be hung on either side or on the end that extends into the water. The weights shouldn’t be that heavy to the point they pull the floater into the water; they have to be of the right size that weighs the floater just enough to continue floating on the water surface and heavy enough to stop it from being swayed too much. This is work that can only be done by an expert as it has to be balanced on both sides. The chains used to hold these blocks should be adjustable for the time when the water level recedes.

Piling

You could also create a piling bed with wood planks, or metal structures buried deep into the sea bed before adding a plastic floating dock on top of it. The woodpiles can also extend all the way up to break the water surface and provide embankments on either side. With this method, you will not even need to anchor the floating dock to the land, you simply have to secure the other end of the planks, and it is suitable for use. This is also convenient when the water level rises and fluctuates with changing seasons; the dock simply rises and falls with the water level without leaving the enclosed space.

Adding a Gangway

A dock gangway is a solid walking plank that is added to the plastic floating dock that connects the dock to the land. Most gangways are made using pure metal or heavy wood, and this adds the needed weight to keep the floating dock fixed to one place with very slight room for movement. On top of adding beauty to the dock, a gangway is also a safety structure as it comes with barriers on either side that stop people from falling into the water. The other advantage is that they are not permanently fixed to the dock; you can always remove them when the weather becomes too extreme, like very cold winters, and put them into storage until things clear up.

Adding a Shade

Keeping floating boat docks grounded is all it takes to keep it in one place, and if the riverbed is too far below, then adding weight on top would make movement harder. The best way to do this would be to add a shade or any other structure on top that will not only provide a cool space for people to use but at the same time provide the extra weight needed to keep the floating dock from moving away. This boat dock cost will be higher, but it is more sensible financially as you will also be adding more usable space on the dock, and that will always add more value to your property in the event that you chose to sell in the future.

Conclusion

Floating docks are the most convenient docks that one can ever choose to go with. They are flexible, can be moved around, and are easy to maintain. However, keeping the stable will always be a challenge. There are other methods you can try on your own that are outside this list, depending on the nature of your dock. We are the best boat dock builders around, and In case you run into trouble, get in touch with us immediately, and we will help you find a solution for all your needs.