The dock configuration is the next thing to consider when figuring your total dock cost. Your decision should be made after reading part one of this series (What does a Dock cost?). After reading that, you probably have an idea of the frame style you would like to use.
Next, you should read part 2 – What type of decking is available?Select the decking that caught your eye. Part three discusses the dock configurations you may want to use. We also include some of the accessories you’ll want to consider.
Let’s start the process
So you’ve measured water depths, surveyed the neighbor’s dock, and determined how far out you need to go. Maybe not! Don’t want to walk in the cold springtime water? Remember, we confirm the water depth for you as part of our site surveys.
At this point, you may be looking at a straight dock – (boring)!
What you add from here on transforms your dock from a strictly functional piece of equipment to a relaxing area, and so much more. The configuration you choose in the end should reflect the way you want to use the dock.
Everyone has different ways to use their dock. Some people want to be able to fish off the end of the pier. Maybe even have a bench or seating available. Others want access to their boat. Still, others will use their dock as a primary entertaining and relaxing area. These are all great reasons.
We have included configurations as well as actual photos of our docks in the photo array below. Get started on the layout that fits your needs. Then give Pier & Waterfront Solutions a call.
Common Dock Configurations
More Configurations
RS4 dock with Dock Steps
ShoreMaster Dock Configuration
Dock Configurations 2
Dock Configuration 3
Dock Configuration 4
OR
Design your dock configuration on the ShoreMaster Website
ShoreMaster has a simple dock-builder available online. Its very simple to use. (drag and drop) It handles MOST configurations. Are you having difficulty? We can do it for you. In most cases, we give you a rendition (sometimes hand-drawn), so you can be sure the layout is what you envisioned.
What will I be able to do on a dock?
Fishing – Consider an extra-wide dock section at the end to give you more room to cast and lay out your fishing equipment. Install a bench for more comfort.
Docks are an excellent place for kids to learn from Grandpa. They can relax on the dock and exchange fishing stories and learn a little bit about life.
Try to extend the dock far enough into the water, so you’re next to a weed bed. A dock helps lure fish. Fish like to congregate and seek out cover and protection.
Sports – How about Kayak or paddleboard racks? Why keep carrying your equipment up to the house? Keep it handy and ready for use.
Entertaining – If you regularly party on your dock, you’ll want a dock that is wide enough to accommodate your guests. It must offer plenty of space for moving around. For extra space around a serving table or a bench, consider an additional 4-foot wide dock section. We can add it on to the standard 4-foot wide sections. Consider an inside corner section. It’s great for adding space – and peace of mind. A 90-degree corner can seem precarious.
For more pizazz,ShoreMasteroffers a curved design on their truss and rail dock systems. Consider adding a curve to your dock. Go around obstacles like trees and rocks and make a unique dock at the same time. It definitely won’t look like your neighbors.
A rounded dock near the end, at the shoreline or even at the midpoint adds a unique design that only you have. The style is distinctly yours.
Patios
Ninety- five percent of the time the dock layout will include a “patio” area. The patio area requires a section of dock placed parallel or perpendicular to the main dock. Adding one patio dock essentially creates an 8 ft x 8 ft activity area over the water.
What if you add another patio area to the side to make a 12 ft wide x 8 ft long area? This additional “patio” section could be placed alongside the first section OR on the opposite side of the dock. The layout also helps protect your dock in a storm by making it broader and more stable. However, the REAL advantage of these layouts is that you have more working or entertaining area available.
Put a bench or patio set on the patio area to stay dry. Use it to get away from people entering or exiting the water – if they let you.
By the way, who said the patio section of a dock has to be at the far end of the pier? Would it be more functional at the midpoint or even at the shore end?
Watercraft Access:
Do you launch a boat or jet skis? These functions may need different layouts depending on the depth of water and the draft of your boat or jet ski. They reflect what the owner needs for launching and storing the watercraft.
A typical layout would likely be the finger dock. The finger dock consists of lengths of pier placed perpendicular to the side of the main dock. The arrangement creates a place for your jet skis or boat.
The use of a “T,” or “Y” shape can add a distinctive look to your dock. After all, your pier is the focal point of your shoreline. Every visitor will want to go out on your dock.
What accessories will you need for your dock configuration?
Seating– In the form of furniture sets, chairs or benches.
Utilities– Water and electricity run under the dock frame.
Lighting– A.C. power is available, but the preferred method is solar powered lighting. They are typically placed in recessed “dots” in the decking.
Ladders– On the bay of Green Bay most docks are set high out of the water to protect them from waves. A pivoting ladder will get you out of, or into, the water safely.
Railing- A railing makes it safe for people having difficulty getting around or those who are unsteady on their feet to access your dock.
Storage boxes– Skiers, kayakers and paddleboard enthusiasts may want to invest in a dock box to store their equipment. (life jackets, paddles, and beach towels). The storage boxes come in many shapes and sizes – (square, rectangular and triangular to name a few).
To summarize this series – What does a dock cost? It depends!
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.
Dock decking is a critical choice. With all the decking choices – it’s the most important choice you make.
Frames for docks were covered in Part 1 of this series. Part 2 will cover the many choices of decking you have.
WOOD DECKING
Wood decking was the first and only choice for decking. It required yearly cleaning.As simple as cleaning a deck may sound, it takes time each year.
Cedar Wood Decking from ShoreMaster
The costs and inconvenience mount up.
In addition, a wood deck gets uncomfortably hot on sunny days. It also traps the dirt on its flat surface. This dirt needs to be washed off to prevent mold from forming. People started to look for other choices.
Then, along came a better choice!
ALUMINUM DOCK DECKING
Aluminum decking cuts down on maintenance. It solves the problem of painting or staining and sealing the wood. It only requires minimal washing to keep its appearance. No pressure washing or cleaners needed.
Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster- Natural Woodgrain
Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster – White
Tan Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster
Plus, it does not get hot in the prolonged heat of the summer. The heat rapidly dissipates, so it stays cool to the touch.
There are many colors, and they look great.
Are there problems with aluminum?
Despite the advantages, aluminum does make noise when walked on. This issue is corrected by applying a cushion tape to the top of the frame.
Additionally, like wood, it comes in a “board” form. Why is that important?
PLASTIC DECKING
Initially, plastic decking came in a board form. The board was bolted to the frame so it would not wash away. This worked great except the plastic shrinks and swells in the weather. It also gets dirty from rain and sand.
Typical Plastic boards
Most importantly, when the waves reached the decking, the 1/2″ opening between the boards was too small to relieve the pressure. This caused some docks (even heavy steel docks) to flip over.
People also mixed it with wood fibers which swelled over time. Still not a solution. Yet, plastic was a great idea, just not in a board form.
So what is the answer?
Back to plastic again
But not just any plastic. Flow-Through decking from ShoreMaster turned out to be the solution.
Glacier Flow Through Plastic Decking
There are many reasons that plastic Flow-Through decking is the best choice including:
• It’s lightweight; • Available in many colors and patterns; • Eliminates the need to clean the decking; • Can be mounted to the frame with a breakaway clip (recommended) or screwed down); • It’s cool in the summer heat; and • Most importantly, it has a 42% open surface which means 42% less pressure.
The open surface allows the water to pass through the decking. These openings relieve the pressure on the dock when a wave hits it. Solid boards do not do this.
In addition to eliminating the pressure of the water, it “self-drains” due to its curved surface. The decking does not allow moisture buildup on the panels. You have now removed one of (3) ingredients for mold and mildew to form. See related article: https://wisconsinpws.com/cleaning-wood-decking/
In conclusion, if you want the BEST decking for your money – look for Flow-Through decking from ShoreMaster at PIER & WATERFRONT SOLUTIONS.
That’s the question our sales team is asked all the time. We have the answer to this question – “It depends.”
Seriously though, that’s the truth – because it depends on so many factors. Your answer to these simple questions will help us to determine the cost of your pier:
Where will it be located?
The type of lake bottom you have?
The size of the waves you encounter?
But, not to worry, our sales team knows the Door County peninsula. Our sales team lives and work here. We know what to expect and we will guide you through the process. We have customers on virtually every shoreline on the Door County peninsula.
One of the first questions we ask is “where will it be installed?” This question starts the process by narrowing down the frame construction you need.
You may need a floating dock because the bottom is muddy and the area has no waves. Others need a massive, heavy frame to help hold it in place during a storm.
NEED A DOCK AND NEW TO THE AREA?
Have no idea what to expect? Our list of customers is so extensive, we can look up other docks that we sold in your area. Site visits are very important and we offer them FREE.
Door County is a unique area. There are areas where a wave of 5 inches is considered a big wave. Then, there are areas where 5-foot waves are the norm.
A floating dock will not work in areas with large waves. A stationary or wheel-in dock will not work in a deep, muddy situation. Given these examples, it makes sense that one type of dock may not work in both areas. We have to ask questions to narrow our recommendations down.
To determine your cost we have to look at the three main components: Frame, Decking, and size of your structure.
HOW MANY FRAME CHOICES ARE THERE?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) offers EIGHTframe styles. That’s more choices than anyone else.
Frame choices include:
Aluminum TS9 (Stationary or Wheel in) RS7 (Stationary or wheel in) RS4 (Stationary with Curved frames optional) FTS9 (Floating)
Poly Polydock (Floating)
As a one-stop dealer, you’ll find a solution for all your dock & boat lift needs here.
FRAME EXAMPLES
ShoreMaster TS9 Dock
ShoreMaster RS7 and RS4 Curved Dock
RS4 dock & RS4 Curved dock by ShoreMaster
Polydock by ShoreMaster
Create your perfect waterfront experience with the most user-friendly pier on the Door County peninsula. ShoreMaster aluminum dock systems provide exceptional stability and versatile configuration options.
Infinity TS9 Dock Frame
Available in Standing or Wheel-in Configurations
ShoreMaster TS9 Wheel-in Dock
The 9” frame is incredibly sturdy for its weight. It’s great for the rough waters of Green Bay. The truss frame is the most popular dock construction on the bay of Green Bay.
Infinity RS7
ShoreMaster RS7 Standing Dock
Standing or Wheel-in configurations available
RS7 frames are one of the most stable and attractive pier systems on the market.
The 7” frame can be configured to fit nearly any layout you desire. Perfect for a rocky to soft lake bottoms with shallow to moderate water depths.
Infinity RS4
ShoreMaster RS4 dock with Curved Dock Sections
The ShoreMaster Infinity RS4 is highly configurable and durable. RS4 frames are ideally suited for a firm to slightly soft lake bottoms. The 4” frame easily handles shallow to moderate water depths and waves.
Don’t forget – these sections can be combined with the RS4 Curved units for even more configurations.
Floating FTS9
FTS9 Floating Dock
ShoreMasters Floating FTS9 is the perfect choice for, muddy, fluctuating, deep water conditions.
No more having to adjust the pier height during low or high water situations. A stable, floating dock system, it uses premium dock flotation and with a sturdy truss frame. It looks great and requires minimal maintenance
Polydock
ShoreMaster Polydock
Floating Dock Sections
Polydock products help you get out and enjoy your time on the water. It is a floating, low-maintenance system that is functional as well as attractive. Accessories like the Shore Port personal watercraft lifts (https://www.shoremaster.com/lifts/lift-models/shoreport/) and a complete line of accessories are available.
You’ll be enjoying your new Polydock system in no time at all.
As you can see there are MANY options available for your particular needs. Follow up with Part 2 to see your choices in decking.
Do I REALLY need to use a dock anchor or auger? First-time dock owners in Door County ask this question all the time. Their concerns are valid – no one wants the extra work or cost if it isn’t needed.
First, let me say that on most inland lakes on the Door County peninsula it is not necessary to install an auger or anchor. Except for Lake Winnebago, the inland lakes generally are not deep enough or wide enough to be of concern. Without an open expanse, the waves typically do not present a problem. That statement is contingent on you having the dock set at the proper height.
WHAT SHOULD FIRST-TIME DOCK OWNERS LOOK FOR?
For new dock owners, we recommend you look around your area. How high are the docks set? Experience is a great teacher.
If a majority of the piers are set “low” to the water, it’s probably safe for you to do the same.
Here’s a great way to meet your neighbors. Most people want to help. Don’t be surprised if the name – Pier & Waterfront Solutions comes up in the conversation as the place to go.
In general, if the summer storms reach a height of 36 inches, then the bottom of the frame should be at least 38-42 inches above the water. This height allows the vast majority of the waves in a storm to pass under the dock frames.
WHO NEEDS TO ANCHOR A DOCK?
Summer thunderstorms kick up 4-6 waves on the bay of Green Bay with little warning. It’s no wonder that people use augers to anchor their docks.
One method to secure your dock is to pound pipe legs into the gravel or sand. This takes a toll on your back (or your friend’s back if you were smart enough to recruit help).
Not the best idea. Besides, you have to figure out a way to get the pipes out in the fall. You can’t pound UP!
This method is ineffective in most cases. A wave pounding against the bottom of the decking will lift the dock straight up. Once the leg is pulled out, the dock usually will twist or roll-over due to the continuous pounding from the waves.
WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DO I HAVE?
The recommended option is to use augers in critical locations. One way to do this: the husband holds the dock frame up (he’s strong you know). Meanwhile, his wife uses a pipe wrench to screw the auger pipes into the bottom. This is hardly a recipe for marital harmony either. We DO NOT recommend this procedure.
auger pipe
On a calm day, the only part of the pier that is in the water is the support pipes (legs). The legs have a low surface area in comparison to the entire dock. Waves easily pass around the legs with little resistance.
Minimal resistance is the key to securing your dock.
WHAT TYPE OF DECKING YOU USE IS IMPORTANT?
Most decking has an almost solid surface. As a result, there is no place for the water to relieve the pressure when it hits the dock. In a vast majority of decking, there are only a few 1/2″ openings in the decking. Waves hitting the underside of your dock have no way to reduce the pressure on the pier. This will cause an upward movement.
Typical Plastic decking
What’s the best decking with the least resistance to waves?
Open decking
Flow Through decking provides the least resistance to the waves by reducing the surface area by 42%
Our advice is to assess the worst case scenario for wave conditions in your area. Then set your dock height higher based on those conditions.
Setting the dock height too low on the bay is a bad idea. You do so at your own risk.
Customers with steel framed docks and board decking have found their docks flipped over in storms. The dock usually sinks. or in some cases, get washed down the shoreline. The parts of some of these piers have never been located.
Others were damaged because they ran out of pipe length and did not want to replace the pipes with longer ones. With the higher water levels the past few years, pipes that are too short are getting common.
In some situations, even though the dock height is set correctly, a neighbors boat or other floating debris will hit your dock. You can’t prevent every situation.
WHAT ABOUT BEDROCK?
There are many places where dock augers do not work due to the limestone bedrock in Door County. There are three ways to handle this.
The first is to use angled leg pockets. The legs are angled out from the dock similar to spreading your legs to gain stability. This helps stabilize the dock more than standard vertical legs. However, this is no guarantee that the storms will not flip your dock. It does help though.
ANOTHER WAY
The second way to anchor a dock involves drilling in rock anchors. Once installed a chain is attached between the dock and the anchor. The problem is – how to locate the anchors after the ice goes out in Spring. In some cases, the ice and boulders that move in the Spring will destroy the anchors.
A final option involves using a large, heavy mass in the water to secure the dock. This serves as a dock anchor during a storm. Depending on the depth of the water this may have to be removed from the water each year. The ice may move it away if the dock anchor gets trapped in it. A submerged weight may not be the easiest way to secure a dock.
In summary, after everything is said and done, the simplest method is to keep the dock set higher than the waves.
Need Help Planning a Dock System For Your Home or Cottage?
The Infinity Track system was designed for convenience and versatility. Your dock will work for you – not the other way around. You should be out enjoying your time on the water. With the Infinity Track system, you can avoid the hassle of drilling holes, rearranging accessories or tripping over tools just to move a ladder or bench to a new location.
InfinityTrack™ System
Imagine adding, removing, and re-configuring your dock system with ease. Move any of your accessories at a moment’s notice. No need for tools. You don’t have to imagine anymore. The ShoreMaster Infinity Track System allows you to do just that.
You will never need tools to adjust or reconfigure your dock accessories! Just loosen the t-handle and move the attachment to the new location. Then simply tighten the t-handle.
Plus, ShoreMaster offers the most extensive selection of accessories. The accessories include benches, furniture, steps, ladders, bumpers, cleats, and the list goes on and on. Your dock will stand out from the rest.
You won’t find an easier mounting system anywhere!
Infinity Track systems are only available from the leader in waterfront equipment – ShoreMaster.
NO drilling, No ugly holes in your dock
The ShoreMaster Infinity Track system requires no drilling. That means no ugly holes in your beautiful dock system. You’ll have endless configuration options (sky’s the limit)!
The Infinity Tracksystem is only available on ShoreMaster dock systems
Here’s are examples of what you can do. ShoreMaster adjustable Quick Steps make getting out of the water – or back on shore – easy. Available in 4 and 6-Step configurations they are easy to move anywhere on your dock.
4 Step Dock Stairs
What about the ShoreMaster’s bench accessory?
ShoreMaster Off-Deck Bench
Does the sun get in your eyes? It’s easy to move. Simply turn the T-handles (no tools) and move the bench anywhere along the side of the dock. The Infinity Track system is available on all ShoreMaster Dock Systems.
ALL ShoreMaster accessories use this system.
Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Please share a link to this article with them.
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57, that’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the Idlewild Road intersectionOur staff is here year-round to assist you.
Pier Solutions – that’s an unusual name. But then again, PWS is not your ordinary Pier & Boat Lift Company.
In previous articles, we looked at some of the work we have done to solve customer issues. Today let’s look at still more problems PWS has solved for customers.
Is your embankment so steep it makes it unsafe to access the beach?
PWS solved that issue with a set of aluminum stairs. These come in 4’ and 6’ sections to adjust to changing conditions Handrails are standard equipment for added security.
Aluminum Stairs
PWS also will make wood stairs if you prefer.
Steps with Handrails
A PWS pier solution to meet ADA regulations
With the passage of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), more opportunities for peoples with disabilities opened up. A simple fishing pier is a norm for most people. However, that same pier presents many obstacles & dangers for someone in a wheelchair.
PWS was selected to provide an ADA compliant fishing pier for people with disabilities. Built on a landfill with a man-made lake on top, the changes are apparent right from the shore end.
An access plate allows a wheelchair to roll out safely onto the pier. Rails surround the entire pier. There is also a bumper around the edge to prevent a wheelchair from accidentally slipping off the pier.
Lowered fishing stations and bait rails are strategically placed on the patio area to allow a person in a wheelchair to fish comfortably.
The entire pier stays in the water year round.
Starting the Robl Fishing Pier
Completed Robl Fishing Pier
Fishing Stations
You can count on a PWS pier solution!
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is here year-round to assist you. Don’t forget – Give us a call If you want to see an issue discussed on our site.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com with any questions.
