Seasonal aluminum boat dock

[tummyman]

4X30 is too small for a 24ft boat IMHO. You really need to go the full 40 feet which is allowed by State plus do a 6 ft wide dock. A 24ft boat is a lot of weight and you might even go for a bigger boat down the line. Do the job correct in the first place. We have used whips, etc, but the screw anchor into the lake bed with a ratchet strap to the dock plus diagonal bracing makes all the difference in the world. If you get a lot of wave/boat action, also use snubbers on the direct lines from the boat cleats to the dock. They take the shock stress off the ropes. I am a true believer in snubbers ! They really work and are worth the investment. I now have an U shaped dock and I use snubbers on aft and bow lines on both sides of the boat. Never get any shocks that rock the dock.

[Dave M]

Wolfe-man, do you have links for the post mounted whips. Having trouble finding them.

Thanks Dave M

[Dad sold the C * C]

We just replaced a 40' x 4' wood and pole dock that had trouble with our 23' tri-toon with a lift up U shape from Watermark. The new dock is 6' wide and it make all the difference in the world. You can walk past a kayak or a chair and it is so sturdy. If there is anyway to go 6 foot wide do it.

I also agree with Tummyman about the snubbers, they kept the old dock upright for the past two years. I mounted them to the wooden post of the new dock last week, I'll check them tomorrow.

[snowman]

What is the biggest boat you would recommend for a 4/30 ft dock?

It's the largest dock I can get for my waterfront.

Thanks!

[Wolfe-man]

Originally Posted by Dave M

Wolfe-man, do you have links for the post mounted whips. Having trouble finding them.



Thanks Dave M

No, Dave, but Raise-A-Dock has a website with contact info. Dennis (the owner) can take care of you. The mounts are quite substantial and well made, in my opinion. I use them with a 27 ft SLX and have had no issues with lateral stability or dock movement, even on busy weekends. The mounts slide over the poles, tighten with a single nut, have a horizontal mounting plate with a 45 degree angled receptacle for the fiberglass whips, maybe 6 inches long.

[upthesaukee]

My friend has a 60x4 dock at his house. Water is only about 5' at the end. We wanted dock whips for our 25 & 26 ft bowriders, due to the wave action at the dock.

We had 90 degree brackets with gussets made out of aluminum, with one side of the 90 drilled with 4 holes, and the other 90 drilled to match the whip bases.

We drilled through the dock frame and secured the brackets with bolts, nuts, and lock washers. We then drilled up through the brackets for the three mounting bolts for the whip bases.

Result: : our boats ride the wakes and waves, and the dock is rock solid. There is no stress on the decking. This was recommended by the dock manufacturer.

One other thing we did was mark the 6 10' sections. #1 has hinge on one end and connects to #2. The other end of 2 we marked 2->3. #3 marked 2->3 & 3->4, etc. Eliminates problem of slight changes in drilling from one end of a section to other.

[Dave M]

Wolfe-man. I have Raise-A-Dock, should have known Dennis would come up something. Question I have is did you have any issues with finding a whip that would mount into the receptacle. Don't know if whips come in same size diameters.

Thanks Dave M

[Wolfe-man]

Originally Posted by Dave M

Wolfe-man. I have Raise-A-Dock, should have known Dennis would come up something. Question I have is did you have any issues with finding a whip that would mount into the receptacle. Don't know if whips come in same size diameters.



Thanks Dave M

Dave: I realized I never responded to your question. Dennis offers two whip sizes that fit his mounts, depending on the weight of the boats to be secured. I have 2 sets of the heavier gauge and have had no problems. Sorry if no longer relevant!

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by tummyman

4X30 is too small for a 24ft boat IMHO. You really need to go the full 40 feet which is allowed by State plus do a 6 ft wide dock. A 24ft boat is a lot of weight and you might even go for a bigger boat down the line. Do the job correct in the first place. We have used whips, etc, but the screw anchor into the lake bed with a ratchet strap to the dock plus diagonal bracing makes all the difference in the world. If you get a lot of wave/boat action, also use snubbers on the direct lines from the boat cleats to the dock. They take the shock stress off the ropes. I am a true believer in snubbers ! They really work and are worth the investment. I now have an U shaped dock and I use snubbers on aft and bow lines on both sides of the boat. Never get any shocks that rock the dock.

The law actually states that if you have under 75’ of frontage you can only have a 4’ x 24’ dock no matter the size of the lake. If less than 1000 acres and 75’ or more for frontage you can have a 6’ x 30’. Larger lakes and 75’ or more frontage gives you the 6’ x 40’ option you mention.

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/...ents/wb-19.pdf

[CaptT820]

We have a 4-ft by 20-ft FWM dock as going longer in our case would require floating the dock. As it is we are 7-ft deep and dropping at the 20-ft length. As with all of these questions its all about money, go as wide and long as the law allows and you can afford.
FWM allows several easy add-ons to their docks which require no drilling such as whips, ladders, built in fenders, lights, etc. I would say as others have to go wider with the dock if possible to provide additional stability.