2019 INSTALL SEASON IS UNDERWAY

Apr 9, 2019

The 2019 DOCK INSTALL SEASON HAS BEGUN!

Ice Damage

The install season for 2019 has begun on the Door County peninsula. We started doing some commercial installs a week ago in select areas.
The Coast Guard has opened the shipping channel to Green Bay, and this means the ice can move in and out with every shift on the wind.

At this early time, we can only do installs in areas where the ice is out, and there is little danger of it floating back in. The results can be disastrous.

Our crews will be expanding into more areas as weather permits. We’ve all been looking forward to this, and our crews and equipment are ready. While it is impossible to set a firm schedule more than a day out, we continue to make progress.

WHAT PART WILL NATURE PLAY IN THE SCHEDULING?

ATF 2 Install

ATF 1 during an install

We know Nature will probably throw a few curves at us. Last year it was an 18″ snowfall two weeks into the season.

We now have three ATF’s (the big machines we use), and the trucks and trailers are ready.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR

The water depth looks like it will be up again this year due to the heavy snowfall. Lake Michigan did not freeze over, so there was evaporation throughout the winter. At the same time, there were more late-season snowstorms. If the legs on your dock were barely above the dock last year, you will likely receive a call from our Service Manager about the need to replace them. Longer legs may be necessary to get you safely above the water for storms.

John Englebert

WHO CAN YOU CONTACT WITH SCHEDULING ISSUES?

If you have a question or particular need, please contact John Englebert, our very experienced Service Manager and Scheduler. You can reach John at 920-495-2860 or email john@wisconsinpws.com.

John does an excellent job of accommodating requests as long as Nature co-operates. As the season progresses the schedules will get tighter but John always seems to find a way to make it work (if Nature co-operates).

Have a repair that needs attention? Call John to schedule it!

Looking for something new this year? Want to change your layout? Call Jerry (920-493-4404) or Dave (920-905-2588)

Jerry Englebert
Owner

Dave Kalista
Owner

Don’t forget – Give us a call If you have a dock or boatlift topic you would like to see addressed on our website. This year you will see topics like “Sea gull deterrents – Updated, ” How to place your boat onto your lift,” “Boat Lift Insurance”, and other issues important to our customers.

WHERE IS PIER AND WATERFRONT SOLUTIONS?

We are located in the center of the Door County Peninsula 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.

WHAT STYLES OF BOAT LIFTS ARE AVAILABLE? Part 2 of 4

Feb 12, 2019

WHAT STYLES OF BOAT LIFTS ARE AVAILABLE?

What boat lifts are available for your use? Part 1 of this series discussed the least common types of boat lifts used in Wisconsin waters. Now let’s look at more common types of boat lifts available for your selection.

Hydraulic Boat Lifts

Hydraulic Lift by ShoreMaster

Hydraulic boat lifts generally lift the highest of the available lifts. (up to 6’ high on some models). The lifting height along with the wide stance of the base gives you excellent protection for your boat. It is recommended for high waves and water surges during storms.

Hydraulic boat lifts are D.C. operated units which are quiet and use solar-powered batteries and remote controls.

ELEVATOR LIFTS

12,000# Davit Master Elevator Lift

Elevator Lifts are used with permanent pier installations (usually concrete piers or piling piers.) The elevator lifts raise the boat sideways as shown to the right and below. They lift the boat above the pier height. They are common in channels and lakes with large fluctuations in water depth and no ice movement in winter.

12,000# DavitMaster Elevator Lift

Davit Master Elevator Boat Lifts feature:

All welded design for strength and durability;
6061-T6 Marine Grade Aluminum or Hot-dipped galvanized steel construction;
Heavy duty adjustable PVC pipe guides with insert reinforcement;
Adjustable chock system;
Stainless steel motors for added protection;
Stainless steel cables with aluminum grooved cable winders
Aluminum sheaves plus Stainless steel bolts with grease fittings; and
A Comprehensive warranty.

Some models even allow pivot construction for winter storage.

Floating Rhino Lifts

HANDCRAFTED FOR TOUGH WATERFRONT ENVIRONMENTS

Rhino Lifts were originally built to withstand the brutal marine environment of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri where very deep water is common. This type of lift is now the preferred choice for boat owners who want the ultimate in strength, durability, and boat lift performance.

Each lift – expertly welded, and hot-dip galvanized also has the highest level of convenience and safety for the people who use it.

The Rhino Lift Floating Boat Lift allows you to raise and lower your lift with the push of a button. You have the peace-of-mind gained from trusting the same equipment used by marinas, restaurants, and resorts across the United States and Canada.

The L-Arm Floating Boat Lift mounts between a U-shaped dock.

Rhino Lift L-Arm Floating Lift

Rhino Lift Front Mount Floating Lift

Front Mount Rhino Boat Lifts require a dock at the front of the lift only. It has a walking platform on three sides for loading and unloading. The lift is only secured at the front of the lift.

These floating lifts cannot be exposed to high waves. As a result, they generally go into marinas or deep water environments.

After reading Part 1 and 2 of this series, you have a better idea about the types of boat lifts generally used in Wisconsin. In Part 3 we will talk about the most popular boat lift used in Door County.

Publication Dates

Part 1 of 4 – Cantilever, PWC, ShorePorts, Tracks Feb 5, 2019

2 of 4 – Hydraulic, Elevator Lifts, Floating lifts Feb 12, 2019

3 of 4 – Vertical lifts Feb 19, 2019

4 of 4 – Calculations Feb 26. 2019

Do you have a friend that may be interested in this information? Why not share a link to this article with them?

PWS is located at 7325 State 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.

Thank you for taking care of the dock removal. – Lizzie G. Door County Wisconsin

Feb 8, 2019

Thank you for taking care of the dock removal. Please also proceed with the work you describe in order to get the dock ready for installation next spring….Thank you again for saving us this summer. Look forward to working with you in the years ahead.

Lizzie G. Door County