May 11, 2021
Selecting the Correct Dock Lights
Lights for your dock and boat lift are essential for the security of your family and guests. Proper dock lights can prevent a serious accident.
Lighting also serves as a guide when you return to your pier at night.
PWS will help you select the proper lighting for your particular needs.
Here are some suggestions to enhance the security, safety, and appearance of your dock.
Are Solar-Powered Lights better than AC Lights?
Solar cells can control both systems. AC-powered lights can also operate with a timer. Solar lights turn on and off when the light level dims. You don’t have to be present, and they need no AC power to operate.
Solar-powered lights cost nothing to use and are safer to operate, with no risk of shock. They charge even when it’s cloudy.
Reminder: You don’t have to remove a solar powered lights if your dock requires removal each year. Solar lights are self-contained and have no exposed wires. Solar lighting does not need power boxes at the shore with safety circuits in the house.
To answer your question – YES – solar lighting is the preferred method.
Where can you mount dock lights?
The preferred location for dock lighting is on the deck surface or on the leg posts. The deck-mounted style mounts along the edge of the dock, where you are not likely to step on it. You have a choice:
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A hole placed in the decking with the lights placed almost flush with the deck surface.
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Lights can mount on the side of the dock.
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Mounted on the top of the decking at the edge of the pier. OR
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Mounted on the boat lift uprights.
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Surface Dock Light
Surface mounted Dot Lights
Use this link for more information.
What about post lights?
A post-mounted light fixture mounts on a leg post above the decking. This is a simple mounting, but the heights may vary depending on the water depths from year to year.
Post lights
For Visual Drama and Safety, Illuminate the Water’s Edge
Add a set of lights that shine into the water and reflect off the edges of the dock. This adds both visual impact and a second safety factor. The pier is more visible as you bring the boat into your lift.
Choose Colors that Help Identify Your Dock for Visitors
At night, it can be difficult to distinguish which dock is yours. This is especially true if you cannot see any of the landscaping or tree outlines. If neighboring piers use the same colored lights, it can be challenging to pick the correct one.
Consider adding red and green lights at the end of your dock to help you steer your boat to the correct side at night. You can use any available color scheme at the end.
Light for Safety When Leaving the Dock Area
Place a light on a high pole or tree, shining down at the entrance to your path or stairway. This will provide visibility at the entrance to your dock. Avoid lights that cast a bright light in a wide pattern. Let your guests and neighbors sleep.
Think safety first, visual drama second.
Who can help you make your selections? Pier & Waterfront Solutions!!!
Where can I find Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County MM (heading north). Look on the right at the next corner – Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
The Covid-19 virus continues to spread and affects many people. We are conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines when possible.
PWS display yard – OPEN 24-7
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS provides estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email Jerry with any questions.
Jerry Englebert
Contact Jerry at 920-493-4404 for more information or use this link.
Apr 20, 2021
Seagulls leaving a mess on your pier?
Seagull mess
Seagulls are looking for a place to rest at the same time as your dock is being installed. Once they get into the habit of eating or sleeping on your dock, getting rid of them is very difficult.
Are seagulls leaving the “leftovers” from their meals on your dock? What about the other harmful “deposits” they leave behind?
PWS has some suggestions to get rid of them.
When should you start to rid yourself of the seagulls?
Start in Early Spring!
Don’t allow seagulls to roust on your dock. Once established, they will habitually return to the same place each night.
Adding deterrents later will have minimal to no effect on them.
What Problems do Seagulls Cause?
Seagulls are noisy, aggressive, and a health hazard to humans. Despite this, the US government has enacted legislation to protect seagulls.
You are not allowed to harass, kill or destroy their nesting areas.
Are Seagulls always coming back to your pier?
If the answer is yes – they found a source of food nearby.
Seagulls Returning for food
Seagulls are territorial and aggressive when it comes to food. Under no circumstances should you feed them. They will return time and time again. They are like a friend who wanted to stay for just a day or two and never left. The difference is they are not your friend.
Remind your visitors not to feed them. Once a seagull finds a source of food, other seagulls will appear.
Don’t leave food containers outside after your parties. Seagulls will return if you do.
What do Seagulls eat?
A seagull’s diet consists of fish, rodents, insects, eggs, earthworms, reptiles, plant items, and even other birds. The seagull is an intelligent bird and very versatile in how they get prey.
The food you leave behind is an easy source for them. The gulls don’t have to scrounge around looking for food if you provide it for them.
When is their nesting season?
Seagulls enter nesting season once per year, and the season lasts for 3 to 5 months. They are highly aggressive during this time. Stay clear of their nests.
These large and noisy birds defend their territories from rivals through aerial attacks and calls. Nesting season is when they are the most boisterous and the most aggressive.
Seagulls are ground-nesting birds taking live food – crabs, small fish – or scavenge as it becomes available. They historically pose control problems near sources of water or food.
Seagulls are intelligent and resourceful birds too. They have a highly developed social structure and a complicated communication method.
They even display mobbing behavior. Seagulls attack would-be intruders (like you) and predators when anything threatens their nest.
How do you get rid of Seagulls humanely?
There are many products on the market that you can use to deter seagulls. See this article for a list of products and where to get them.
Unfortunately, many of these products are ineffective.
Remember this when considering a seagull deterrent. Seagulls do not like anything that disrupts their flight patterns. Simply put, they do not want to get tangled in anything.
Bird wire or something as simple as a fishing line is a humane, discreet, and highly effective control solution for docks.
How does it work? A stainless steel wire or a simple fishing line is reported to be a deterrent to gulls. The wire prevents gulls from landing on docks, boats, and other long surfaces that attract pesky birds.
Check this link for a source for bird wire.
Why are seagulls afraid of wires?
There is another way. Seagulls use a higher UV range than humans to see what’s around them. As a result, they can see underwater without the use of sunglasses like humans require.
They also “see” a metal or nylon fishing line as a bright line, day or night. That line potentially interferes with their flight, plus it alarms them as it moves in the wind.
Seagulls are heavy birds compared to most birds. As a result, they require a clear path to take off. Stringing a fishing line horizontally along your dock can be very effective and inexpensive. Commercial products recommend stringing the line about 7-8 feet above the pier.
It works the same as bird wire and costs much less. The downside to the fishing line is that it needs to be replaced each year and possibly more than once. Hint: string the fishing line from leg to leg and tie it off rather than stringing it the full length in one piece. This way, if one section breaks, it does not take the entire line down. Allow it to move in the wind.
Another deterrent
Seagull deterrent Daddi Long Legs
Daddi Long Legs is another deterrent. It prevents gulls and other large birds from landing in open spaces. Where can you buy this product? Try www.Bird Barrier.com.
How it works: Thin, stainless steel rods wave menacingly in the breeze. Any breeze causes the rods to move and interferes with the seagull’s flight as they attempt to land. Benefits: It is a humane product with plastic tips to prevent injury to humans.
In conclusion
It’s best to use more than one means to get rid of seagulls. Seagulls don’t like to be disturbed while they eat or sleep, but they can see a single device as non-threatening over time. We recommend that you change or move your devices from time to time. They will adapt over time.
Where can I find Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County MM (heading north). Look on the right at the next corner – Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
The Covid-19 virus continues to spread and affects many people. We are conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines when possible.
PWS display yard – OPEN 24-7
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS provides estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email Jerry with any questions.
Jerry Englebert
Contact Jerry at 920-493-4404 for more information or use this link.
Apr 6, 2021
The best dock selection in Door County
Pier & Waterfront Solutions customers have access to the best dock selection, more dock styles and more materials than any other Door County dealer.
Most dealers offer only aluminum docks or a few lightweight steel dock. Some even offer one or two brands.
Aluminum is popular because it is lightweight and easier to handle.
Who has the best aluminum dock in Door County?
Pier & waterfront Solutions offers (6) ShoreMaster aluminum constructions – in roll-in, stationary, and floating docks.
Now that’s a some dock selection!
Here is a comparison of the aluminum constructions offered:
RS 4 –
4″ side rails. 10′ sections, seven types of decking, aluminum or steel legs. Ideal for calm waters on an inland lake or sheltered area.
RS 4 Curved –
The RS4 Curved dock sections are built the same as the same rigorous specs as the RS 4 shown above. Why is this different? The availability of 45- degree and 90-degree curved sections. These curved sections allow for many configurations that no one else offers. (Hint – You can use curved sections with the ANY ShoreMaster dock frame to genuinely make your dock unique.
RS7*
7″ side rails. 8′ and 16′ sections, with seven types of decking, aluminum or steel legs. Ideal for the rough waters in an open area.
TS9*
9″ Truss side frames. 8′ and 16′ sections, seven types of decking, aluminum or steel legs. Ideal for the rough waters in most open areas.
FTS9 –
The FTS9 has the identical construction of the TS9 in all respects. The frames have floats attached and are ideal for soft muddy bottoms.
Poly Dock –
Poly Dock is a modular dock design made of rotationally molded polyethylene. There are NO unsightly black floats used.
It’s a floating dock system that can withstand up to 2′ waves, making it ideal for inland lakes or rivers with muddy bottoms and large water fluctuations.
Over the years, PWS provided hundreds of ShoreMaster aluminum docks, but it is not always the best solution for all shorelines.
What other dock selection is available?
With the high water and intense storms we have experienced in recent years, PWS now offers the exclusive
3-Season Pier
3-Season Pier
The 3-Season steel pier is built to demanding specifications for strength and durability.
3-Season piers have withstood just about everything Mother Nature can throw at it. No Wisconsin manufacturer builds a heavier frame section. It weighs over a quarter ton without the oversized steel legs.
PWS recommends flow-through decking for the 3-Season pier. Flow-through decking relieves any upward pressure caused by a storm’s high waves.
PWS installs everything we sell.
Now you know why Pier & Waterfront Solutions is so popular.
We offer everything you need for your dock or lift. Contact us TODAY!
Where can I find Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County MM (heading north). Look on the right at the next corner – Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
The Covid-19 virus continues to spread and affects many people. We are conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines when possible.
PWS display yard – OPEN 24-7
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS provides estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email Jerry with any questions.
Jerry Englebert
Contact Jerry at 920-493-4404 for more information or use this link.
* Combine the RS4 Curved sections with this frame for a unique design.
Mar 23, 2021
A NEW Barge Announcement at PWS
Before we get into the new barge discussion, it seems like a long winter despite it being a mild winter. The virus only added to the winter confinement & misery.
The early disappearance of the ice on Green Bay has lifted our spirits. Everyone has hopes for the approaching Spring.
Yet, nature has a way of thwarting or at least delaying those plans. There is snow again in the forecast for this week. Snow is nature’s way of saying she is still in control and not yet willing to give it up.
Phone Install Requests
For the last few weeks, we had requests for projected install dates. Please be patient. We know from many years of experience that there are snowstorms in our future. Remember, the ice is still on the shorelines. The lack of snow gives the impression the season could start as soon as this week.
In reality, the expected start date is “around” April 1. About two years ago, the season got underway early. After a week of installs, a huge snowstorm put a complete stop to the work for two more weeks. It was a struggle to get all the work done.
What have we done to keep up with installs?
All-Terrain Forklift
What have we done to keep up with the installs? We have added two more ATF’s (All-Terrain Forklift) to our fleet of equipment. The latest addition brings our total to FIVE ATF’s.
Latest Barge addition at PWS
Today, we are announcing the latest addition to Pier & Waterfront Solutions equipment list.
As many of you know, PWS has a large 24′ x 45′ barge used for rip-rap installations. The barge and excavators are also used for dock and lift installs in areas where our ATF’s cannot go. When the need arises, we use the barge and one of our excavators to install docks and lifts. These are challenging areas to access and operate any equipment.
If you’ve driven past our location in the past month or so, you may have seen this.
Barge
The new barge addition will allow us to expand our existing barge size by another 12′ x 45′. When joined with the existing barge, the new barge will be 36′ x 45′. (1,620 sq. ft. – That’s the size of a small house). That gives us increased load capacity to transport more equipment and materials. It will save time and allow us to be more efficient in the future.
The new barge can separated from the original barge for independent use at a later date if needed.
PWS have two experienced barge operators to move this equipment between locations.
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County road MM (heading north). Look on the right at the next corner – Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
Is PWS OPEN?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
The Covid virus continues to spread and affects many people. Don’t be one of them.
PWS is conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines when possible.
PWS display yard – OPEN 24-7
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS will provide estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email us today with any questions.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 for more information or use this link.
Mar 16, 2021
Is a Floating Dock in your future?
Not all floating dock systems are created equal. Some are better than others.
For many waterfronts, a floating dock system is a perfect fit. ShoreMaster PolyDock systems float on the water and remain stable in waves up to two feet.
PolyDock floating dock
How Does it Work?
A floating dock is usually a platform supported on air-tight, buoyant floats. In the case of a PolyDock, the platform is part of the float system. The platform serves two purposes in this case. It is available in 4′ and 6′ widths for more stability.
A gangway connects the floating dock system to the shoreline. The docks are easy for seasonal boat owners to install and remove.
Floating docks are anchored into the water at the shore end and, depending on the dock’s length, at the water end.
Benefits of a Floating Dock
Floating docks are popular for inland lake shorelines. It’s easy to see why. It’s simple to install, add to, and remove modules, allowing the dock’s design to change.
Does a floating dock have to be removed in the winter?
Standard practice dictates you remove the dock in the winter. On small bodies of water, they can be allowed to freeze in place. Freezing in place can occur when there little chance of ice movement in the winter and early spring. If there is any movement, you must remove it each year.
An alternate method allows the dock to move with the ice in a contained area. Marinas use this technique all the time.
DEEP or fluctuating water levels?
The PolyDock system works great on shorelines with deep or fluctuating water levels. There is never a concern about the depth of the water. The flotation allows your dock to adjust along with the water. An anchor holds the floating dock in place.
Are you concerned about the environment?
Are you concerned about the natural environment and the look of your dock? The PolyDock systems’ low profile is the answer.
PolyDock systems set the standard for stability, reliability, and ease of ownership.
ShoreMaster floating dock systems meet or exceed the Hunt Absorption Test. Even in the unlikely event of a puncture to the outer shell, your dock will remain buoyant.
The PolyDock system has rotationally molded outer shells. UV inhibitors infused in the body ensure durability for many seasons to come.
The unique construction gives you unlimited customization options. Install accessories anywhere around your dock perimeter.
PolyDock Floating Dock Systems by ShoreMaster
ShoreMaster is an industry leader and expert in dock life and products. This expertise helps you find the perfect plan for your shoreline.
Pier & Waterfront Solutions will help you decide whether a floating dock is right for you.
Contact PWS today. We will help you start planning your dock set-up.
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions, 7325 St. Hwy 57, is located 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. Go 1 mile PAST the intersection with County road MM (heading north). Look on the right at the next intersection – Idlewild Road and Hwy 57.
ARE WE OPEN?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions remains “open” year-round.
Please use face masks
The Covid virus continues to spread and affects many people. Don’t be one of them.
PWS is conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
Site visits continue as usual. When making in-person contacts, we follow “social distancing” guidelines whenever possible.
Our display yard is OPEN 24-7
Red Tag
PWS‘s display area is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays available for sale have a numbered, red tag on them. Want more information on something you saw in our yard? Please reference that number when you inquire.
PWS will provide estimates by email to make the process faster, safer, and paperless.
Call, message, or email us today with any questions.
