How to Launch a Floating Dock
Floating docks are docks designed to rise and fall in conjunction with the water level. Floating docks can be used to dock boats and launch kayaks, as swimming platforms or for fishing and relaxing. Create floating docks in the size and shape that best suits your needs. Launching your floating dock is usually a simple process. If your dock is too heavy to lift, lay down large round pipes and roll the dock into the water. Make sure you locate and remove the pipes from the water to avoid injury. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Construct your floating dock according to the manufacturer's directions. Each manufacturer's floating dock system varies, so the assembly instructions need to be followed for your specific dock.
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Position people on both sides of the floating dock. For small docks that are light-weight, you may only need two people. For large docks, you'll need at least three people on each side.
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Lift the floating dock. Lift with your knees to avoid injury. Walk into the water, carrying the dock, until the depth of the water is greater than the height of the dock.
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Lower the dock into the water and allow it to float.
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Anchor your floating dock with poles. Look for metal poles that have augers on the end and that have a hole that goes through the top. That way you can insert a thin pipe through the hole and use it to twist the auger tip to set the pole into the lake bed. Twist the poles until there is at least 3-feet of pole in the soil. The deeper the poles are embedded into the soil, the stronger your anchor will become.
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Slide the mounting brackets over the pipe and screw the brackets to the sides of the dock for wooden floating docks. Use the screws that come with your mounting bracket. For plastic or prefabricated floating docks, mount the brackets according to the manufacturer's instructions. Some floating docks may have pre-cut holes for anchoring pipes instead of brackets. Push the pipes through the pre-cut holes and twist into the soil to anchor the floating dock in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Use pipe anchoring methods to anchor floating docks in shallow water. Consult an expert when anchoring floating docks in deep water.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for pipe size, specific mounting brackets and installation process for your dock and your weather conditions. Using materials other than those in the instructions may impact your dock's performance and any warranty.
Check with your local governing body to find out what building permits you need to acquire and what codes and covenants you need to adhere to when anchoring your floating dock.
References
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