Dock Float Bolt Hole and Dimension Diagram

At HarborWare the most common questions we get about our dock floats are: 1. how many bolt holes are in each float drum, 2. how big are the holes and 3. where are the bolt holes located?

1. The amount of bolt holes vary on each dock float, see diagram below for your specific size. We recommend using at least 4 - 6 of the bolt holes to securely fasten the dock float to your boat dock.

Build a Floating Home or Boathouse, What You Need

At HarborWare we get hundreds of calls throughout the week with questions about how to build a boat dock, particularly what size and quantity of dock floats are needed. Our more complicated answers are usually about floating homes and boathouses that are extraordinarily heavy.

First of all, we highly recommend consulting with a local licensed engineer familiar with boat docks to obtain a weight estimate of the structure. They have the ability to do this even if the structure isn't built yet. Second, you'll need to get necessary permits in place before breaking ground. Third, you want to pick the right size of dock floats and the right quantity. Floating homes and boathouses are usually a much bigger investment than a small lake house dock, so you'll want to do things right the first time!

Introduction to Dock Floats for Boat Docks

Dock Flotation (dock floats, float drums) can be defined as any device used in the construction of a boat dock that allows it to float on top of a body of water.

A floating dock will move up and down with water levels, contrary to a standing dock that is built on stilts which does not ever move. Most boat docks that are built on a water source connected to a dam are floating docks due to the effect dams have on water levels. When the dam opens up, water levels can drop several feet and if your boat dock is floating, it will lower down along with the water level.

In the mid-1900's, dock floats looked much different then how they look today. There were three primary types: styrofoam blocks, metal pontoons, and barrels. For many reasons, these primitive floating devices are now obsolete and are outlawed in most US states. Over the years styrofoam became hazardous to the environment, polluting lakes with small foam pieces that broke off little by little over time. Metal pontoons and barrels are hollow, so when punctured docks began to sink rapidly. Also, barrels that where once used to house chemicals were being re-purposed as dock flotation and started leaking deadly chemicals into our water source. Eventually the "encapsulated dock float" was developed and replaced all forms of dock flotation.

Introduction to Marine Anchor Shackles

Screw Pin Anchor Shackles come in two types: Galvanized Steel and Stainless Steel. Galvanized steel is less expensive but can only be used around freshwater and it's lifespan is lower than stainless. Stainless steel is necessary around salt water because it's better suited to withstand corrosion. Stainless steel can be used around any body of water and has a longer lifespan than galvanized steel. Anchor shackles come in different designs, but HarborWare carries the bow-shaped variety.

Difference Between Dock Cleats, Boat Cleats and Bow Chocks

Cleats are used to tie-down the rope attached to your boat while docking to keep your boat from floating away or moving around too much. There are many different types of cleats on the market but there is no "specific" difference between a boat cleat and dock cleat. However, most people use stainless steel or chrome cleats on their boat and galvanized steel on their dock.

The galvanized steel cleats look more raw, they're heavier but are far-less expensive than stainless, therefore people prefer to use them on their docks. Stainless steel and chrome are much more attractive looking, so people use them on their boats. All of them perform the same task and are equally as durable.

Chocks or Bow Chocks are attached to the bow of your boat and are used as a guide for your rope line and to keep your rope from chaffing against the sides of your boat. They can be used while docked at a boat dock or mooring offshore.

Which Boat Dock Bumper is Right for Your Boat

Source: http://hbwr.co/1lJBH5u

Boat dock bumper comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. When it comes to picking the right boat dock bumper for your dock, it's all in the size of your watercraft. Smaller boats don't need oversized dock bumper, inasmuch larger boats can't get by with the smaller, light duty stuff.

There are 4 main types of boat dock bumper: side bumpers or rubrail , corner bumpers, vertical bumpers or post bumpers, and dock rollers. All are equally important and perform an unique purpose in protecting vulnerable parts of your boat.

Small Boats

If you have a low riding bass boat or jet ski, you can get by with the minimum amount of protection, utilizing 2"x10' vinyl rubrail and either 6" or 10" vinyl corner bumpers. This will ensure that you don't scrape your boat against the hard sides or corners of your dock as you're making your way in after a long day at the lake.

Medium and Large Boats

If your boat is a pontoon or runabout, you may consider our XL Corner Bumpers and Gas Dock Bumpers. These side and corner bumpers are 20" tall and will ensure complete protection of your boat while docking.

Docks with Posts

If you have roof posts on the sides of your dock slip and have a tall watercraft, such as a yacht, cabin cruiser or houseboat, you will want to install either vertical post bumpers or dock rollers. Another benefit of our dock rollers is they act as a guide to help roll your boat into the slip as you're docking.

50 Boat Docks that Make Life Happier

Fishing, swimming and canoeing are just some of the many things that come with a boat dock, along with the sweet smell of summer bbqs. And whether it was on a floating boat dock, pier, boathouse or marina, everyone has a fond memory on a dock. I grew up in a Tennessee lake town and spent most of my summer days at our town's marina. When I wasn't fishing or catching turtles, I would be trying to convince locals into paying me a few bucks to scrub their boats down to support my terrible junk food habit, which was pretty much the only food offered at the marina's store. It was a way of life, right down to the feeling of the old wooden boat docks on your bare feet and the pain from pulling the occasional splinters out from your toes.

Over the years HarborWare has compiled a large amount of boat dock pictures throughout our social media pages and these are just some of the ones we like the most.

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By: Dave Darr

Sources: follow source links to find photographer's credit.