1-800-585-1237
How to Choose My Dock System?
STATIONARY DOCKS:
Here are all the Stationary Hybrid
Dock™ Kits offered with all the possible
configurations that you could do with each
of them. You can also join different Kits to
make even larger Layouts to suit your
personal needs. Every Kit comes with its
accessories
such
as
Deluxe
8’’
aluminium Cleats, Vertical Bumpers,
Noise-free Connector Hinges and
Stainless Steel Hardware.
2 Stationary Dock Kit #19502
3 Stationary Dock Kit #19503
4 Stationary Dock Kit #19504
5 Stationary Dock Kit #19505
6 Stationary Dock Kit #19506
FLOATING DOCKS:
Here are all the Floating Hybrid
Dock™ Kits offered with all the
possible configurations that you could
do with each of them. You can also join
different Kits to make even larger
Layouts to suit your personal needs.
Every Kit comes with its accessories
such as Deluxe 8’’ aluminium Cleats,
Vertical
Bumpers,
Noise
free
Connector Hinges and Stainless
Steel Hardware.
2 Floating Dock Kit #19532
3 Floating Dock Kit #19533
4 Floating Dock Kit #19535
5 Floating Dock Kit #19535
6 Floating Dock Kit #19536
To start with, there are a couple of simple rules of the art to follow:
STATIONARY DOCKS:
1- You don’t want to install a stationary dock in more than 4’ of water for the simple
reason that you will have water over your head… and that you will find it pretty
cold in spring and fall time for your removal and installation.
2- A stationary dock is ideal in shallow water, especially around shoreline, which
could play with water fluctuations during the season.
3- A stationary dock is not ideal in body of water that often fluctuate more than 2’ in
short period of time. You don’t want to adjust your dock many times during the
season…its too short, you want to play…not work!
4- A stationary dock is recommended if bad weather brings waves that can be
bigger than 3’. You will also certainly need a ‘’boat lift’’ to raise your craft out of
the water, or you will need to anchor the boat away. Since a stationary dock
does not require any anchoring, you cannot count on it to hold your boat during a
storm or bad weather.
FLOATING DOCKS:
1- A floating dock is ideal in bodies of water deeper that 4’ because you don’t need
any piles to support it, neither will you need to go in the water to install it!
2- A floating dock is ideal in lakes or river in which water level fluctuates periodically,
since the dock is floating, it will always be at the same level above water and
beside the craft (a freeboard of around 11’’).
3- A floating dock can not be installed in a body of weather that will generate waves
bigger than 3’, because they could damage the dock, cause a break, therefore
damage the craft attached to it.
4- In an area with big water fluctuations, you can use some stationary docks at the
shoreline area and then merge to floating docks in deeper water.
A good indicator regarding the choice of your dock is to look around at your neighbor’s
docks, and if they have been there for many years and standing well, a similar choice
could be good for you.
RESTRICTIONS :
1- These docks are for residential use only.
2- Only the ‘’Suggested Layouts’’ are allowed.
3- A stationary dock is not designed to withstand lateral pressures that can be
caused by a boat moored beside it during bad weather or a storm. It is suggested
to moor the boat with concrete blocks.
4- These docks are made to use with boats that lengths are less than 25’.
5- In case of any doubts regarding the choice of the product, its installation or your
capacity of assembling the decking and make an adequate installation, consult a
specialist or abstain yourself…
How to Install my Dock System ?
Aluminum structure moving and assembling:
You will need to be at least two adults to proceed to the moving and assembling of your
dock sections. The instruction sheet included in the box clearly describes steps by steps
the way to assemble it.
ANCHORING GUIDE :
STATIONARY DOCK:
Normally, (except in areas where big strong waves
can hit the dock) it is not required to anchor the
stationary dock itself. Piles being driven in the bottom
of the water body will assure its stability. You should
though anchor the boat with moorings in a way that it
will not hit or scrape on the docks, therefore
protecting the boat and the docks. Since your docks
are installed in a fairly shallow area, you should be
able to install the mooring easily (by a nice day…).
FLOATING DOCK:
A floating dock system absolutely needs an anchoring system at the end
of it, or at every +/- 30 feet. Anchoring chain hooks are supplied with
every “Floating Dock Kits”. To install those anchoring weights, you will
lay them on the dock, group the proper amount of weights (we suggest
that you put a piece of cardboard or a piece of wood, in order to protect
the dock surface and decking), attach the chain and move the blocks
over the proper dropping area and then drop them in the water! It is the
anchoring weights that will hold the docks in place since there are no
piles and that the docks are submitted to lateral pressures by the wind,
waves and the boats.
Anchoring examples:
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Small crafts, less than 15’, like canoes, kayaks,
aluminum boats or PWC (maximum of 2 crafts):
minimum of +/- 200 lbs per chain on each side.
Pleasure crafts less than 19’ or around 2500 lbs each
(maximum of 2 crafts): minimum of +/- 350 lbs per
chain and on each side.
Pleasure crafts, Ski or wakeboards boats, less than
+/- 23’ or +/- 4000 lbs each, (maximum of 2 crafts):
minimum of +/- 500 lbs per chain and on each side. It
is also suggested to anchor the dock system at every
4 corners of the dock on which the boats are attached
to (see drawing).
Pontoon boat with camper roof, (which will have a
great catch in the wind), add around 150 lbs per chain.
Type and choice of anchoring blocks:
Your local concrete products retailer will certainly have some heavy weights in stock,
that could be used as anchors, or will be able to pour you some with their remaining and
your local hardware store will have the chain in stock. Make sure you confirm with your
local regulation to confirm that you can use the concrete as anchors, otherwise replace
the material.
The blocks should be of a weight of around 100 lbs each and of square shape (+/- 1’ x 1’
x 1’) in order to limit their movements. A length of chain with a bolt or a naught at the
end can be used as hooks (when pouring them).
The chain should be rated as: 5/16" galvanized, grade 30 (regular). We also suggest
that you use galvanized shackle at the under water attachment.
Also take note that the concrete will loose a third of its weight under water. It’s the
reason why we suggest that much. Different types of bottom such as clay may also
affect the capacity of holding of those anchors, so you should be careful.
How to enlarge my dock system?
You can conceive different layouts that will
suit your specific needs. You can also mix
some stationary and floating dock kits in
order to make the dock system that will suit
best the conditions of your water front.
Fixed Dock Kit of 6 sections
+ Fixed Dock Kit of 4 sections
We ask you to fill out the pre-delivery
questionnaire that you will receive by email,
after placing your order. Make sure to answer
all the questions required. We will then be
able to analyze the different elements that
influenced your choices and try to guide you
towards the best choice for you.
Floating Dock Kit of 6 sections
+
Fixed Dock Kit of 2 sections
4 ft of water or less
=
Fixed dock sections
Floating deck
10 ft. x 15 ft.
65 ft
HINTS OF THE PROS!
The stability of a dock system depends a lot on its size and surface on water. I mean
that it’s hard to require from a dock to be more stable than a boat of the same size. Ex.:
an aluminum fishing boat of 16’ is about 5’ wide and you are not too comfortable when
you are standing up in it. …. However a pontoon boat of 8’ wide is much more stable…
So we STRONGLY recommend making a deck at the end in order to stabilize the whole
dock system! Also you should join the connections of this deck with the “Fusion
Connector”* or add the “2 Floating Docks Kit” (which includes one fusion connector).
This way, your dock will be much stable and you will enjoy it a lot more. Note that you
will always be able to add some to the dock you are purchasing.
*“Fusion Connector“: Part that prevents any bending due to waves action of the regular
connectors between two docks and that gives the stability of a bigger dock which is
made of smaller sections that are by the way easier to manipulate for installation and
removal.
Liability disclosure:
NOTE that all the information included in those pages, or any documents included
with the product, concerning the choice of your dock, its type, the way to anchor
it, the quantity and or the weight and or the type of materials stated are uniquely
as a rough guide and it is possible that in some cases your needs of anchoring or
type of dock can be different than those stated above. We recommend that you
consult your local specialist and that you make the proper choice responding to
your needs. Multinautic or any person consulted using the references of this
web site cannot be held responsible of the consequences that could occur
following the use of any of those products, or following an accident or incident
which could occur after a proper or improper installation or a insufficient
anchoring or due to any interpretation good or false of any of the information
supplied in this site, and no compensation can be claimed.
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1-800-585-1237
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