Jun 7, 2019
Sorry for the delayed message but I wanted to compliment your crew for the AMAZING dock installation they did this year!
These young men (Alex and Tyler) did the best install I have ever seen! I am a perfectionist, and I could not have done a better job myself! Even the pipes that are across from each other are even in height where in the past the pipes were all at random heights,
We tipped the guys but I wanted you to know what a great job they did! Keep up the great work!!
Jun 4, 2019
2019 DOCK INSTALLATION UPDATE
We promised an update on the dock installation season in an earlier post, and here it is. We won’t gloss it over, we have been unable to get all the docks in before Memorial Day.
Our crews have been working every possible day overtime. They are scheduled to work a full six days a week. However, six days a week is not a reality.
We have lost at least 2 to 3 days a week to heavy rains or high winds. We plan for at least ten days of rain or high winds during the install season. This year that has not been enough. As a result, even some of our office staff are called upon to install.
WHAT’S CAUSING THE DOCK INSTALLATION DELAY?
Lift & Dock installation
The major problem has been water levels we have not seen since the 1970s. Everywhere we go, we see water levels setting new records. Our equipment can handle high water up to four feet. However, this year, the high water is combined with frequent strong winds and access problems.
The usual access across lawns or in fields is frequently saturated. Our equipment is heavy, and the ground is so soft we cause extensive damage when a customer insists we drive across it. Most customers will say it’s okay to drive across the wet lawn because they don’t want any delays. Later they get distraught when they see the deep ruts in their property.
2019 is the second straight year of high water – an additional 10″ on top of the high water from last year. Heavy winter snows have combined with a very wet and cold Spring. As of this writing, the water levels are expected to rise even further until Fall.
As a result, many docks have already run out of pipe length.
WHAT’S THE END RESULT?
As we reported in our May POST, the short legs require that we replace the legs with longer ones. Replacing these legs is a time consuming and expensive process. In many cases, it has cut our installs per day by 50%. Failure to add longer legs will almost certainly result in damage to your dock whenever there is a storm.
Are we the only company experiencing these problems? NO – all of the install companies are experiencing the same issues.
WHY CAN’T YOU TELL ME WHEN MY DOCK INSTALLATION IS SCHEDULED?
After looking at the forecast, we make plans to install a group of docks at least a day ahead of time. When that morning rolls around, we have had to frequently change the work schedule, cancel it altogether, or move it to a different area.
We completely understand when our customers get upset that we can’t tell them when the install will occur. I think you will agree with me when I say they will get angry when we commit to an install on Wednesday and have to change the date at the last minute.
We may plan a stretch of installs along Bayshore Drive between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor for a Tuesday. However, if the winds are battering that area, we have to change our plans at the last minute. We have no choice.
We urge you to follow this advice – DO NOT bring your boat in until the boat lift installation is completed. You may end up having to take it out again if we can’t get there as planned.
Do you have a friend that might be interested in this post? Please forward it to them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersection. Or – you can call John @ 920-493-4405 for more information.
Jun 1, 2019
We are happy with the service. The guys that put in the lift were very courteous and professional.
May 28, 2019
IS YOUR CANOPY COVER SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR?
Boat Lift covers are available from Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) for ALL popular boat lift brand. A ShoreMaster cover allows PWS to satisfy your demands for faster availability and lighter weights. Plus, they don’t sacrifice quality, regardless of brand. ShoreMaster canopies are made to fit perfectly.
We offer both the WeatherMax® and a 13oz cover.
WEATHERMAX CANOPY COVER.
All ShoreMaster WeatherMax® covers offer superior protection from the elements. You’ll enjoy WeatherMax’s ease-of-use when it comes to installation, cleaning, and storage of the cover. Other features include:
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- A water-repellent HydroMax™ finish is applied for long-lasting protection, durability, and color retention;
- The Lightweight yarn fabric provides a soft feel, vibrant colors and easy installation & removal;
- Deep scalloping around the perimeter of the canopy cover offers extra coverage; and
- There are five color options available:
Taupe- Weathermax canopy cover
Black-Weathermax canopy cover
Navy-Weathermax canopy cover
Light-charcoal-Weathermax canopy cover
Forest-green-Weathermax canopy cover
Caution – Colors shown may not be accurate. Your monitor or phone may adjust the colors. See PWS for accurate samples.
13oz VINYL CANOPY COVER
This new 13oz canopy weighs 30% less than the canopy covers supplied by some other suppliers. That makes it easier to install, remove, clean and maintain. In addition, the 13oz canopy cover sacrifices nothing when it comes to quality. You get superior performance in all critical testing areas:
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- Tongue tear testing;
- UV resistance;
- Strip tensile testing;
- Grab tensile testing; and
- Hydrostatic resistance tests.
This 13oz vinyl canopy is designed to be very lightweight without sacrificing:
- Durability, moisture resistance and UV protection that you expect from a premium vinyl canopy cover.
- The 13 oz Vinyl Covers use an exclusive topcoat for superior strength, clean-ability, weatherproofing and protection.
- Lighter weight vinyl for hassle-free installation and removals.
- The deep scalloping around the perimeter of the canopy cover provides extra coverage.
- Six color options.
Blue 13oz Vinyl Canopy Cover
Onyx 13oz Vinyl Canopy Cover
Tan 13oz Vinyl Canopy Cover
Gray 13oz Vinyl Canopy Cover
White13oz Vinyl Canopy Cover
Forest-green-13oz Vinyl Canopy Cover
Caution – Colors shown may not be accurate. Your monitor or phone may adjust the colors. See PWS for accurate samples.
What do we recommend? WeatherMax® – for its overall strength, durability, and cost.
HOW DO I MEASURE MY CANOPY FRAME?
Here are some standard dimensions for ShoreMaster canopies.
Don’t have a ShoreMaster lift? Uncertain about the dimensions of your lift cover or where to start? We give you three options:
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- Refer to this ARTICLE for information on how to measure the frame;
- Call us if it is a different brand than the two shown in that article; OR
- PWS will come to your site to get the information needed.
Remember, PWS prefers to do an on-site evaluation to ensure the accuracy needed. There are many lengths, styles, and widths available.
You can view complete PRODUCT WARRANTY DETAILS here.
A FREE GIFT FOR REGISTERING YOUR SHOREMASTER PURCHASE
Protect your investment by registering your ShoreMaster purchase for full warranty coverage. Plus, when you register your purchase, you’ll receive a FREE gift from ShoreMaster. You’ll need your dealer and product information (a receipt or invoice will be sufficient) to register your product.
Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Please share a link to this page with them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersection. Our staff is here year-round to assist you.
May 15, 2019
IS THE WATER LEVEL GOING TO BE HIGHER THIS YEAR?
The water level WILL be higher – by a long shot!
We have many terrific customers. One customer has been following the Bay of Green Bay water conditions for years using government supplied data to ensure accuracy. We rely on Bill A. for his knowledge of current, as well as past, Bay water level history.
According to Bill A.:
Water levels are running very high in comparison to the Army Corp average numbers. The average for May is 580.75 ft. The readings he sees at the monitoring station near Green Bay has been peaking out at 582.47 ft which is 20.64 inches above the predicted average for May. An additional update from Bill A. shows that we are going to set a new record high if we continue to get rain this month.
The low-end numbers are around 581.05 ft which is 3.6 inches above the average for a typical May. Our current water level has been between 7.56 inches to 26.64 inches higher than May of last year (when we are at high tide).
What do all these water level numbers mean?
Storm Damage caused by floating logs
First, you can expect deeper water levels through-out the summer months.
Second, when there are storms, you will see the water reach higher onto your beach along with more turbulence.
Third, with the higher water levels, there is likely to be more floating debris (logs, rafts and floating boats).
What Do Higher Water Levels Mean for Installs?
With near record levels for water depth, it means all docks have to be raised again this year. This helps protect them from the storms.
That’s not a big deal in a normal year. The problem this year is that many docks already had short legs last year.
With water levels nearing historic levels, we have to take a great deal of time at almost every site to change the leg lengths. The extra time required to change the legs out means we are getting far less installs done per day than previously. Shortages in the labor market have compounded the problem. We can’t get enough people to make another crew despite better than average wages.
What can you do?
If your dock is not already installed, please give serious consideration to allowing us to lengthen the legs. In fact, we’ll go a step further and recommend that you contact John directly, (920-493-4405). Give us permission to shorten your dock length this year OR change the leg lengths on your dock, if needed.
Simply by not installing all the sections of the dock, you may avoid the need for longer legs. That’s not a guarantee if the water continues to rise but it may get you through this year.
What Else Can You do?
1. Keep your boat secure on your boat lift. It’s better to have your boat bouncing up and down on the boat lift than floating into your dock or your neighbors’ dock.
2. Keep your possessions higher on the beaches. The breaking waves may come further up on the beach and sweep them away.
3. Check your boat lift cables. Consider replacing any frayed or rusty cables. The added stress of high waves will break already weakened cable. See this post.
4. Keep your boat as high as possible on your lift. At the same time, be sure you don’t hit the top of the cable travel. Be especially careful with electric winches.I
5. If you see logs or large debris washed up on the shore near you, try to move it up to the higher ground to prevent it from floating out again.
6. Check your insurance coverage. SEE this related article.
Thank you Bill A. for providing the information for this post.
For more background about the water levels, see this article.
Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Please share a link to this page with them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersection. Our staff is here year-round to assist you.
