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Floating boat dock
Brooksinct	#1  Posted on 08/26/11 - 4:33 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 114 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/04/11	I am thinking about building my own drive on floating boat dock. Has anyone ever done that? I live on the CT river and really dont like how my boat looks after just one weekend of sitting in the water. Not only that but the waves that come by make it a rough time for the boat against the dock. I have seen the plastic docks you can buy but was wondering if anyone ever made their own as they are very expensive. any help would be great. Also it is tidal so it needs to be floating.
thegage	#2  Posted on 08/26/11 - 6:18 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 341 Comments: 1 Joined: 06/25/09	My father has one of those floating boat docks down on the Chesapeake. Yes, they are very expensive, and, frankly, a pain to use, particularly for a bigger boat. He wanted to use a lift platform but his wife wouldn't let him. I can't think of a cheaper alternative. I think it's a lot easier to put together a DIY lift next to the dock for a lot less money, but I've never done it. John K. John Kittredge 1991 16 SL - 2013 E-TEC 90
cummings	#3  Posted on 08/26/11 - 5:47 PM
Member Posts: 50 Comments: 6 Joined: 05/04/11	rig a davit to the dock and crank it up out of the water. Heck, set it on the dock when you lift it out.
fishrswim	#4  Posted on 08/26/11 - 8:38 PM
Member Posts: 168 Comments: 7 Joined: 05/25/11	Build a split dock. rig an electric sling lift, and let it hang. I saw a cigarette type boat in a marina with a similar type rig. seemed to work OK. the boat went out every evening about dark, It then headed north at unbelievable speeds in the dark with no running lights and returned about 5 hours later. Hmmmm, wonder what he was hauling.
Firebird	#5  Posted on 08/26/11 - 10:00 PM
Member Posts: 10 Comments: 0 Joined: 02/12/08	fishrswim wrote: Build a split dock. rig an electric sling lift, and let it hang. I saw a cigarette type boat in a marina with a similar type rig. seemed to work OK. the boat went out every evening about dark, It then headed north at unbelievable speeds in the dark with no running lights and returned about 5 hours later. Hmmmm, wonder what he was hauling. In your neck of the woods? Probably Canadian ganja.........
kamie	#6  Posted on 08/27/11 - 5:43 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	I have a jet dock for my 18 and I love it, keeps the boat out of the water, once you get the hang of driving on it's not so bad. If your looking for a floating dock for a 13, I estimated I could build a wooden one for $1300 but it might have gone up. that would be an 8 foot x 16 foot floating drive on dock and didn't include the stoltz rollers i planned to use or the hardware to hang them, so add another $150. or the hardware to attach it to the fixed dock.
fishrswim	#7  Posted on 08/27/11 - 12:52 PM
Member Posts: 168 Comments: 7 Joined: 05/25/11	In your neck of the woods? Probably Canadian ganja.........[/quote] Ya think?? We have a rich tradition of importing products from Canada. But I didn't ask.
Brooksinct	#8  Posted on 11/16/11 - 11:23 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 114 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/04/11	does anyone have any issues with driving it up on the rollers all the time> I know it is just like putting it on the trailer but I dont know. Any ideas would be great. I can get plastic 55 gallon drums for free but I wonder how many it would take to make it float.
ronbo404	#9  Posted on 12/25/11 - 10:22 AM
Member Posts: 17 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/23/11	Hi Brooksinct I too am thinking about building a drive on float for my new to me 13 whaler. Just wondering if you found any plans or came up with any ideas. thanks Ron
vacottonking	#10  Posted on 12/27/11 - 8:15 AM
Member Posts: 5 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/13/11	I bought a wheely dock XL with extension ordered from Carolinafloats. It was the most economical unit I found for a manufactured float. Used it for my 13' this summer with plenty of walk around room. I will have a 15' on it soon.
kamie	#11  Posted on 12/27/11 - 2:56 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	vacottonking, Do you have any photo's of your 13 on the dock? That looks like a pretty good product. Edited by kamie on 12/27/11 - 3:09 PM
ronbo404	#12  Posted on 12/28/11 - 4:22 AM
Member Posts: 17 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/23/11	vacottonking Did you find the extension necessary for the 13' and if so is it the front or back extension. Thanks Ron
kamie	#13  Posted on 12/28/11 - 5:27 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	i had planned to modify a wooden floating PWC lift to fit a 13 whaler. with the kit (which contains some floats and support brackets) and the additional lumber and floats, I estimated $1300 to build an 8 x 16 floating boat dock.
vacottonking	#14  Posted on 02/14/12 - 7:05 PM
Member Posts: 5 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/13/11	I had the front extension to accomidate a larger boat but it is not necessary for a 13'
mtown	#15  Posted on 02/15/12 - 5:04 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 613 Comments: 5 Joined: 07/06/08	How about using 6" pvc pipe. Build a wood cradle under 2 pieces with strong cord or very large zip ties attaching the pipes to the cradle. The cradle would keep the spacing correct. Glue end caps on the pipe and attach the rig to your pier or shore. If 6" was not enough buoyancy, they make it larger up to at least 12".