Jan 15, 2019
WHAT DOES A DOCK COST?
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 EIGHT frame 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.
Looking for more detailed information on dock frames follow this link: https://wisconsinpws.com/piers-docks/
Publication dates:
Part 1 – What does a Dock cost?
2 – What type of decking is available?
3 – Which dock configuration should I choose?
Need Help Planning a Pier System For Your Home or Cottage?
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.
Sep 18, 2018
Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
SOLUTIONS – What does that word mean in the name – Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Ok, The name implies that we sell, service, install and remove Piers (docks) and boat lifts. But a lot of people do that. Don’t they?
Yes, they do. But it means a whole lot more when you talk about Pier & Waterfront Solutions. Why? Because we are more than Piers (Docks) and Boat Lifts. What else do we do?
Want to enjoy the outdoors more?
If the answer is YES – Pier & Waterfront Solutions is the right place to be. Just pick up the phone and call us.
Did you know, we also build Decks – attached or freestanding by the water.
We also create some very unusual Stairs to access the shoreline and those Piers and Boat Lifts we talked about.
Stairs looking down the cliff
How about this one? Looks simple enough – Right!? A nice straight set of stairs- what’s the big deal?
Stairs and deck built over a cliff
Truthfully, anyone can create a set of stairs. But can they do it while suspended over a cliff? How about a deck suspended in the air? Not too shabby. Wait a minute – it’s getting a little more complicated now.
New Stairs down a cliff
The stairs are so long, we had to include platforms on the way down so you can rest. Do those stairs ever quit?
Makes you wonder how they get the docks and lifts down there. But we do!
Now, do you understand why we use “Solutions” in our name?
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.
Jul 10, 2018
When does a Lift Cable need Replacement?
Lift Cable replacement depends on a variety of conditions:
- Was the lift adequately sized for the boat?
Properly wound Boat lift cable
- Did you change boats since you originally bought the lift?
- Is there visual damage to the cable?
- How well is the lift cable maintained?
- How often has it been lubricated?
- What lubricant is used?
- Is the cable winding correctly on the winch drum?
- Are the cables frayed?
- Is there corrosion on the cable?
When & How Do I Inspect a Lift Cable?
The best time to inspect the cables is when it is on dry land. That way you can check all of the critical points. Ideally, the lifting rack is in the lowered position, so more cable is exposed at the winch. Try not to let the cables go slack by lowering the rack too far.
If you inspect the lift while it’s in the water, raise the lift rack out of the water to do the inspection. A complete inspection at the bottom of the lift cable should be done when the lift is on the shore again.
In both cases, examine all exposed cables for frayed or rusted wires. Pay particular attention to the cable coming from the winch.
What does a frayed boat lift cable look like?
Frayed Boat Lift Cable
Look for frayed or rusted areas on the cable. The greater the number of frayed wires the greater the risk of failure.
Excessive rust on the cable means there could be major rust inside. Rust indicates a major weakening of the cable
and should be monitored carefully.
CAUTION – Always wear leather gloves when sliding your hands on these cables. The leather will protect your hands from a frayed wire which can be a painful experience for unprotected hands. Cloth gloves will not protect you.
The Next Thing to Inspect
What type of pulley material is used on the lift rack? To cut costs, some manufacturers still use a hard, black plastic pulley. These require extra attention. DO NOT lubricate any of these pulleys. Doing so will only contaminate the water.
If you have the black plastic pulleys (or any plastic pulley for that matter) follow these instructions:
With the rack above the water look inside the exposed ends of the rack tubes:
- Are the sides of the pulleys broken or bent over? (Common with plastic pullies)
- Are the cables still riding on the pulleys?
To completely check the pulleys, you should have someone raise the rack so you can see the entire pulley as it turns. The pulley sides could be damaged, and you can only see a portion of it from the ends of the tubes. Do this at all four corners.
A plastic pulley on a boat lift Cable
Brass pullies on a Boat Lift Cable
DO NOT place your fingers inside the tube to inspect it when it is moving. You may lose your finger.
Why are Plastic Pulleys inferior?
A lift cable will easily slip off a cracked or broken plastic pulley. With the lift cable off the pulley, the load on the cable is more than double the usual tension. It also results in broken internal wire strands due to the reduced diameter of the new bearing surface.
In this situation, the pulley needs to be replaced immediately. The heavier the boat, the more important this is.
FYI in the case of the brass pulleys used on a ShoreMaster lift, we have never seen a broken or chipped pulley. Note: Only the original vertical jet ski lifts from ShoreMaster had plastic pulleys. ShoreMaster corrected this problem almost immediately and only use brass pulleys on all their lifts today.
One Final Thing to Look For
If you have a sandy beach, look for sand inside the tubes. If sand is built up inside the rack tubes, remove it as soon as possible by flushing the tube out. A sand packed tube can happen after a storm when:
- The water was heavily agitated on a sandy beach; and
- While the rack is in a lowered position.
Sand can pack so tight in the tube that the cable can not move through it. The same is true of seaweed that gets into the tubes.
In Part 2 of this 2 part series, we discuss the types of cables used on lifts today. We will also address the life expectancy of cables.
SEE also – When Should a Lift Cable Be Replaced? PART 2 of 2 – UPDATED
Reminder
PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. It is located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the intersection of Idlewild Road.
Want us to address a dock or boat lift topic for you? Feel free to give us a call.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Jun 26, 2018
Looking for the most Dependable Door County Dock Installation?
You deserve to work with a dock installer that actually:
· Answers the phone.
· Returns your calls.
· Responds to text and emails.
· Gets the job done on time. and
· Gives you the service and attention you deserve.
If this is what you demand, talk to Jerry at Pier & Waterfront Solutions
Since its inception in 2015 Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) has consistently provided on-time installation and service.
The exception has been in 2018 when Nature decided to deposit 30″ of fresh snow in Mid May when the flowers should be coming up. To make matters worse, she kept the water frozen all the way into the first week of June. This prevented us from getting into the water and delayed the installation season by 30 days. The result was an installation season cut short by 50%.
Our crews worked 70 hour weeks to try to catch up and were able to get 90% in before the Memorial Day holiday. There was no way to make it up completely.
PWS increased its fleet of All -Terrain-Forklifts (ATF) in 2018
All Terrain Vehicle #3
All Terrain Forklifts #1 & 2
Other services provided by PWS?
Among the many services and products offered by PWS are:
- Dock & lift repairs.
- Boat lifts sales and service for all brands.
- New & Used sales of aluminum and steel docks.
- Free Insurance estimates.
- Marina sales and repairs.
- A wide range of accessories.
- Dock & lift relocation services.
What Dock line does PWS carry?
PWS features ShoreMaster docks and boat lifts with (3) styles of aluminum docks to choose from. We carry both residential and commercial-quality docks.
ShoreMaster makes one of the best, most reliable boat lifts for N.E. Wisconsin waters. Whether it’s an inland lake or the waters of Green Bay – PWS and ShoreMaster have the equipment for you.
Look around – You’ll see more ShoreMaster boat lifts than any other brand on the Door County peninsula. That speaks to their reliability.
PWS personnel have gained a reputation for dependable service on all makes and models of docks and boat lifts. Don’t forget to read our “Testimonials” for actual customer referrals. They tell the whole story better than we can.
PWS offers Sales of the best brands and services the rest. Whether it’s a simple Jet Ski lift all the way up to an Elevator or Davit lift – PWS has it available.
See our Facebook page – (Pier and Waterfront Solutions) – for more photos of our 2015 – 2018 installation seasons including residential and commercial applications.
Reminder
PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. It is located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the intersection of Idlewild Road.
Want us to address a dock or boat lift topic for you? Feel free to give us a call.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Jun 12, 2018
HOW TO ACCESS A DOCK
Gangways may be the best solution for your dock access problems.
On the Door County peninsula, the wave action is unpredictable. The only thing you can count on is – the waves will be high many times during the summer. You have to be ready for them by setting your dock high out of the water to avoid damage in those storms.
This height presents a problem. In the past, 97% of docks used a ramp to get to the dock height. In this case, the typical ramp was 8 or 10-foot long. 8’ long ramps present a steep angle which is hard for young kids and older adults to navigate.
Due to the low angle provided by a gangway, it is easier to access the dock.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
PWS has provided several different options for docks in the past. The options included – ramps, stairs and now gangways with handrails.
With the rising waters in recent years, we see damage to shorter ramps caused by debris brought in by the storms.
In addition, another problem is decking being torn off the ramp frames by the waves.
GANGWAYS – A BETTER OPTION?
Gangways come in 16’, 20’ and 24-foot lengths. The angle is greatly reduced versus a short ramp. This makes access much easier. Gangways get you away from the washed-up debris in storms.
Gangway off a seawall
If you have a seawall, gangways may allow you direct access to your dock. You may not have to go down to the beach or over the rocks at all. Gangways placed on steep embankments make the descent easier and safer.
At times, to allow access to the beach or dock, permanently mounted steps are attached to the sides of cliffs. In spring, the ice shoves damage the lower sections of the stairway. Attaching a removable or pivoting gangway to the last section can save expensive damage to the steps.
Door County Ice Shove – 2016
Many people have large boulders they must go over to get to the dock.
Gangways over the shore
Gangways can prevent twisted ankles or falls on slippery surfaces.
They are another means to access your deck on the house.
Where can you find the solution to any Dock or boatlift problem?
At Pier & Waterfront Solutions, of course!
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 ready to assist you year round.
Contact us 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.
