Dec 8, 2020
Does High Water require the 3-Season Pier?
High water over the dock
High water continued again in 2020 and many people looked for a stronger, more durable pier for 2021.
After 2 years of design improvements, the 3-Season Pier was introduced in 2020. It was a hit and sold out quickly.
Looking for a new pier?
In the early part of the 2020 boating season, the number of washed-out docks increased substantially. Storms raged throughout the boating season.
There are many brands of docks on the “Bay”. Every brand was represented in the list of docks & piers damaged or destroyed this year. That is, except the 3-season pier. It also withstood the Lake Michigan turbulent waters.
High water and debris
During 2020, many people saw floating debris during and after the storms. The debris moved along the shoreline. In some cases, uprooted trees and logs were responsible for taking out docks and lifts. The debris continued to move long distances before it finally settled on the shore again.
Now, we don’t represent that a 3-Season Pier will completely stop damage like that. But there is a much better chance of a 1/4 ton pier (per section) with 2″ galvanized steel legs (2-3/8″ O.D.) withstanding the force of the waves. Compare that to the 1-1/2″ leg (1-7/8″ O.D.) used on lesser, lighter docks.
Why did high water prompt a new design?
Over the years, PWS realized that having strong steel legs was not enough for the current situation. We watched helplessly as the waves lifted the dock sections. When the dock section came down, they seldom came down evenly or level.
As waves battered the bottom of the pier, it twisted the dock frames and caused the legs to bend sideways as the dock comes down.
Once the legs bent, the entire structure was subject to rolling over. There had to be a way to reduce the pressure on the docks.
We quickly realized that solid decking was our worst enemy. With solid decking bolted to the frames, the full force of the waves had to be absorbed by the dock.
After research, we found that a deck that allows the water to flow through the decking was the best possible answer. We quickly introduced the ShoreMaster Glacier™ flow-through, open decking on our aluminum piers.
Sunwalk Decking
High water requires Sunwalk Decking™
When the galvanized steel, 3-Season Pier, was introduced, it included Sunwalk™ decking. After securing the decking to the frames with stainless steel screws, the 45% open area allowed most of the energy of the water to flow through the deck harmlessly.
Combining the 1/4 ton weight per 20′ section with a 45% open decking, and you have a winning combination.
Higher Water needed Longer Ramps too!
However, we did not stop there. We also realized that the piers had to be set high to reduce the number of times the waves could hit the decking. This created a problem. The short ramps going to the pier were too steep for people to comfortably walk up.
We designed a 20′ long ramp, thus making a gentle approach to the pier. The shore end includes built-in leg pockets to raise the ramp off the beach. These added legs allow any waves that get to the end to pass harmlessly under the frames.
When should I start looking for a new pier?
Now is an excellent time to research the features of the 3-Season pier and place a preseason order. It’ll be ready when you are in Spring. Don’t forget, we can take trades, too.
The exclusive 3-Season Pier is available only at Pier & Waterfront Solutions.
Conclusion
PWS has the best solution for your 2021 dock.
Call Jerry at Pier & Waterfront Solutions (920-493-4404) for more information.
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Located at 7325 St. Hwy 57, it’s 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay and 1 mile past the intersection of Cty MM (heading north). Look on the right at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
ARE WE OPEN?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open.”
We have implemented measures to ensure the safety of our employees and visitors. At the same time, we are working to maintain the trusted service you expect.
Please use face masks
Because the virus has increased its spread, PWS is conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When in-person contacts are necessary, we follow “social distancing” guidelines as closely as possible.
Display yard – OPEN
Our display yard is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. If you want more information or pricing, please reference that number when you call.
We provide estimates and quotes by email to make the process paperless, faster, and safer. Everyone should feel safe with these measures. Let’s get back to normal operations quickly.
What can YOU do?
Please conduct as much business as possible via emails, messaging, and phone. When you see our crews on-site, please practice “social distancing.”
Call, message, or email us with any questions.
Thank you for allowing us to work with you safely.
Let’s all stay safe!
Sep 29, 2020
Boating in Foul Weather
Boating in foul weather and rough seas can be a dangerous combination when out on the water.
As careful as you might be, bad weather can still take you by surprise.
In the summer boating season, heat waves bring high-pressure fronts and can bring on storms unexpectedly. These conditions can mean the difference between
Boating in Foul Weather
Boating in calm waters
There are worse things that can happen to you than getting seasick—especially since you already know how to prevent and cure a wobbly stomach.
The good news is there are steps you can take to make sure you’re not heading straight into the mouth of a storm. And there are steps you can take to stay safe when you’re not in an ideal boating situation.
We’ll help you prevent serious problems posed by rough seas here. In addition to reading this post, you’ll also need to learn about safety considerations such as basic boating navigation and keeping essential safety items on board.
Tips for Boating in Rough Seas
Pay Attention
Check the forecast before venturing out (and use common sense)
A good boater knows to always check the weather forecast before leaving the dock. Cloud formations and wind conditions will tell you a lot (if you know how to read them).
Back in the old days, there was nothing but the local radio. If you weren’t listening to the local radio broadcast continuously, you might have found yourself in trouble. Nowadays, we have smartphones that chime a push notification for severe weather alerts.
But let’s say your phone dies or you lose a cell signal. It’s a good idea to have a backup cell battery or battery charger, but even that’s not enough. Our cell phones aren’t invincible. They die from overheating, and they die from playing our music all day and, heck, we even drop them in the water and lose them from time to time. Don’t rely on only a smartphone!
Instead, take a hand crank transmitter radio to listen for weather conditions. You’ll never need to worry about dead batteries or battery corrosion.
Wear foul weather gear and PFDs
If you’re experiencing heavy seas, be sure to put on lifejackets and USCG-approved PFDs. All it would take is to hit a wave at the wrong angle to send passengers flying overboard. Having an overboard passenger can be avoided by having passengers sit in the center and the lowest part of the boat.
And while I’m on the subject, invest in some foul weather gear. In bad weather conditions, cold rains and winds can frequently leave passengers soaking wet and chilled to the bone, resulting in hypothermia. Invest in hooded raincoats or ponchos, any clothing that’s moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Wear multiple layers or an extra set of clothes. The key is making sure to cover your head, which releases the most heat.
Slow down and turn on navigational lights for visibility
Slow and maintain your vessel’s speed! To lessen the impact of swells, you may also need to angle it at 45 degrees. Even if you’re not headed directly toward your destination, it’s the safest route.
When slowing down, ask passengers to provide an extra pair of eyes, alerting you of nearby boats and even debris. Debris is common today with the high waters. Even if you have 20/20 vision yourself, nearby boaters may not! Bad weather can bring torrential downpours and thick fogs, so it’s important to reduce speeds and keep a lookout.
Turn on your navigation lights!
These aren’t only for nighttime navigation. They’re also there for foggy conditions and foul weather. It allows boaters to see your vessel’s bow and stern and the direction you are moving in.
Disconnect electrical equipment
If the storm has brought lightning with it, you need to disconnect all-electric equipment. And obviously, don’t touch anything metal!
Wear Proper PFD’s and Have Enough Fuel
You should have a boat emergency kit and specific life-saving safety equipment at all times. When in rough seas, that’s the time you should be breaking certain items out of lockers or bags to have them close by. It would be best if you did the following:
- Have horns and signaling devices on hand.
- Turn on your VHF marine radio and set it to international distress channel 16.
- Prepare an anchor if you lose motor maneuverability near shallow water, rocks, or otherwise dangerous shores.
- Take out the bailer bucket in case you have water breaching and spillage.
Lastly, grab the Dramamine. If you have a pretty strong constitution and can handle rough seas, that’s great! Remember, even strong stomachs can’t hack some monster swells’ or choppiness. How about your passengers? Which is better – Dramamine or having a sick passenger in your boat?
Change course to find calmer conditions.
If you have an app or a way to check a Doppler radar, you could keep out of the storm’s path. If you can’t do so, seek shelter in other ways to find calmer conditions. Coves or even a stranger’s dock can act as shields or a wind barrier in a pinch.
Some boaters are afraid to go near bridges if there’s lightning. But the reasoning behind this fails into another way of thinking: If lightning strikes the bridge you’re under—with already small odds—it will travel in each direction along the bridge back to land. If it’s a severe enough storm—I’ll take those odds!
Run With the Swells
Take care in the trough of the waves.
If you find yourself caught in the lower parts of the swells, riding the trough—take caution! Riding in the trough will begin rocking your boat and could potentially cause it to roll. Riding parallel with waves may not aim you in the direction you need to go, and it will take you a lot longer to get home, but it’s considered the safest path.
You might find more stability with a 45-degree angle inside the trough, too.
Be careful when outrunning the swells.
Sometimes you can outrun the waves by riding the crests, but it’s a fine line. Just remember: Whether it’s the wave or your vessel—what goes up, must come down!
Running ahead of the waves is tricky and can often result in broaching, which means you crash into the wave ahead—usually from too much speed on your part—resulting in the wave behind pushing the vessel sideways along the trough instead. And a sharp turnabout of broaching can lead to capsizing!
When heaving-to is your only option.
If all else fails, the swells are high, and your vessel is being tossed around so much you feel like you’re not getting anywhere, don’t fight against it. Just ride the storm out.
For this, there’s only one technique you need: Aim the bow into the swells and wind as much as you can. You don’t want the waves hitting the hull any harder than necessary. This way, the bow will cut through the waves and ease the impact (and your stomach).
You also might need to heave to if you’re short on fuel. When heaving-to, you can deploy an anchor and use minimal power for steering to conserve the fuel you have left to make it back to land when the storm lets up.
Take a Boating Class and Get Practice
Boating in rough seas relies on knowing how to operate your boat safely. Some of the techniques listed above are maneuvers you can practice on calmer waters to become more prepared. Still, the best option I can recommend is to sign up for a USCG Auxiliary Boating class (or two). Suggested courses are Weather & Boating or a well-rounded Boating Skills and Seamanship course.
Human error causes most accidents on the water. The more comfortable you feel handling your vessel, the easier it will be to maneuver in rough seas.
Stay safe and calm, and it’ll be smooth boating – no matter the weather!
Sep 8, 2020
Vinyl Bunks Are A Better Value.
Vinyl bunks are a much better value than carpeted bunks. You bought your boat to enjoy yourself – not replace worn-out carpeting on the weekend.
Many boat and PWC lifts utilize carpeted bunks to support the vessel. These are an economical option and provide sufficient support for your boat or PWC (personal watercraft).
Vinyl Bunks
However, over time, the carpet on wood bunks becomes worn or frayed. This situation can create contact between the hull of the boat and the raw wood. Besides, sand and debris could be lodged in the carpet fabric. The sand will grind against the hull of the watercraft. It goes without saying this is not a condition you want. Any loose or frayed carpet should be replaced to prevent potential trip hazards too.
Do your carpeted boat bunks need replacement again this year? Vinyl bunks never require replacement.
Vinyl boat bunks may cost more than carpeted bunks initially but they are a better value over time.
When should the bunks be inspected?
Spring & Fall are excellent times to inspect the wood structure of the carpeted wood bunks. Wood, being a natural material, can become warped, cracked, or rotten. If you find any soft spots or warping of the wood material, replace the bunk before using it.
For more information on checking & servicing your lift, see https://wisconsinpws.com/lift-cable-maintenance/
Perhaps you’ve purchased a new PWC or boat and want the best bunk for your new purchase, consider ShoreMaster vinyl boat bunks.
Vinyl boat bunks have a strong history.
ShoreMaster has used vinyl boat bunks for boats, PWC’s and pontoons for decades. The vinyl bunks will save you money in the long run because the aluminum channel will never rot or warp like wood. Plus, the vinyl never requires replacement like carpeting does. You’ll also save money and frustration because the vinyl material is less prone to wear than carpet,
Put simply; vinyl boat bunks are far more durable than carpeted bunks. The vinyl material used on ShoreMaster‘s vinyl boat bunks does not promote the adhesion of sand, and debris like carpet can, which means your boat or PWC will stay cleaner, longer.
What about Vinyl boat bunks vs. Cradles?
Full-length vinyl boat bunks offer greater support than cradles. A much longer area is supported. The weight of your watercraft is distributed along the bunk’s length to prevent pressure points where your hull contacts the supports. When you have a choice between cradles, carpeted bunks, and vinyl bunks, you are better off in the long run with the vinyl boat bunks. When it comes to the total cost of ownership and resale value, vinyl boat bunks are the best value.
Vinyl boat bunks are available for all ShoreMaster boat lifts. If you are considering repairing a set of carpeted wood bunks, it may be wise to upgrade to vinyl bunks once and for all.
Always Remember:
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) specializes in all ShoreMaster accessories for docks and lifts. We are located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57 south of Sturgeon Bay at the intersection of Idlewild Road. Our staff looks forward to serving all of your waterfront needs.
In Conclusion
The continued introduction of refinements keeps Shoremaster at the top of the best-in-class list.
Tell Your Friends & Family
Have friends or neighbors you believe should see this article? Email a link to this article – and Thank you!
You can visit Pier & Waterfront Solutions on Facebook also.
Don’t Forget – PWS is the expert when you have a waterfront question!
ARE WE OPEN?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions has remained “open.”
While all this is going on, we are working to maintain the trusted service you expect. That’s important to us.
We are conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone. Site visits will continue as usual. When in-person contacts are necessary, we follow “social distancing” guidelines as closely as possible.
Call, message, or use this simple request form to get answers and quotes.
Thank you for allowing us to work with you – safely.
Let’s all stay safe!
