Jet Ski Lifts (Part 1 – Vertical Lifts)

Feb 13, 2018

Jet Ski Lifts 

 Jet Ski Lifts, in several different styles, are suitable for use in the waters of Door County. Each one has distinct applications depending on the body of water you use it on.
In this first of a 3 part series, we will discuss Vertical Jet Ski lifts.  Part 2 will discuss the Jet Ski Docks and finally, Part 3 will discuss the permanent pier style Jet Ski Lifts.
image of Vertical Lift in Action

Vertical Lift in Action

image of ShoreMaster Vertical PWC Lift

ShoreMaster Vertical PWC Lift

 

The most popular Jet Ski lift on the Bay of Green Bay – 

ShoreMaster’s Vertical PWC Lift

 

 ShoreMaster’s Vertical Jet Ski lifts feature:

  1.  1200# lifting capacity (capable of handling the new 3 seaters);
  2.  50″ lifting height;
  3. Welded side frames with braces (not bolted);
  4. Stainless steel lift cables; (not galvanized)
  5. Brass and Stainless Steel pulleys (not plastic); and
  6. All aluminum construction
It requires only 6″ of water plus the draft of your PWC to operate. The standard lift comes equipped with a hand crank winch.
 

What options are available for the Vertical Jet Ski Lifts?

  • A solar-powered lift motor is available for complete ease of operation. A simple touch of the button will raise or lower your equipment without effort.
  • An extended winch post can be added to raise the winch up to your dock height.  The extension means you don’t have to bend down below the dock to crank the winch.
  • Stainless steel PWC Loading platforms to make it easy to access your PWC and super easy to clean or service your unit.
  • A choice of carpeted bunks, or better yet, the maintenance free vinyl clad bunks. You’ll never have torn carpeting again.
image of Vinyl Boat Bunks

Vinyl Boat Bunks

image of Jet Ski Lift Platform

Jet Ski Lift Platforms

image of 24 V Solar Panel arrangement

24 V Solar Panel arrangement

 It’s the best vertical lift available. Used up & down the Bay of Green Bay – it’s the standard for PWC lifts.

Where can you find Pier & Waterfront Solutions? 

We are located in the center of the Door County Peninsula at 7325 St Hwy 57.   That’s just 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay.  Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.

 Our staff is always ready to serve your needs.
 
Give us a call If you have a dock or boat lift topic you would like to see addressed on our site, 
 
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.  

Plastic & Composite Decking – (Revised) (Part 3) – Pier & Waterfront Solutions

Feb 9, 2018

Plastic decking – A GUIDE TO  COMPOSITE & PLASTIC DECKING – (Part 3)

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing         Updated by Pier & Waterfront Solutions LLC

ShoreMaster offers so many decking choices that it is hard to grasp which option best fits your individual needs.

In this third of three series, we discuss the types of composite and Glacier Flow-Through plastic decking available from ShoreMaster.

Part 1 of this series covered two types of wood decking available.   Part 2 covered the latest in aluminum decking and its many options.  

How to choose The Right Decking?

Some dock manufacturers are very limited in their decking options. This is a blessing to a dock dealer who wants to limit their on-hand inventory.  At the same time, limited decking choices affect your ability to get the best choice for your needs.

With ShoreMaster decking you are not limited to one or two choices. or the few choices the dealer chooses to offer you.

Pier  Waterfront Solutions LLC has the widest range of decking choices anywhere. This is a major plus for you as a dock owner.

Decking represents 25% – 50% of the total cost of a dock system

Obviously, the initial cost is an important aspect when choosing decking.  No element on any dock system is as important to the user than the decking.  Yet, the initial cost is not the only factor you should consider when choosing a long-term dock.

You might be surprised to learn that other factors are important also:

  1. How you will use your dock;
  2. How much maintenance are you willing to do yourself versus hiring it out; and
  3. How long you expect your deck to last.

These answers contribute to the total cost of the decking over the life of the product.

Choosing a Composite or Plastic Decking For Your Dock

Plastic materials are a great decking option for docks.  This type of decking may be chosen as a lower maintenance alternative to wood decking despite its initial cost.

One advantage that composite decking has over wood is that there is no need to sand, stain, or refinish it.  However, Composite decking is not maintenance free.  Many composite decking contains wood fibers.

Mold and mildew may grow in damp or shady areas of the decking which will then begin to show signs of decay if not cleaned regularly.  This is due to moisture wicking into the boards along the wood fibers.

 Composite decking is NOT the same as plastic decking

It is important to note that people may lump plastic decking into the composite decking category.  True plastic decking is composed of 100% recycled and/or virgin plastic.

Plastic decking eliminates the potential for decay caused by mold or mildew, but can sometimes be prone to expansion in the frames.  Manufacturers have adjusted the deck size or mounting requirements to handle this problem.  

ShoreMaster does not have Composite Decking which is usually used on home decks for obvious reasons.

The Difference between Composite Decking and Plastic Decking

Plastic decking contains NO organic materials. This type of decking is made out of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or some combination of the three.

Plastic deck boards can be injection molded, rotationally molded or extruded. The panels are lighter than composite boards, and they usually have a shinier appearance.  They contain openings of up to 42% of the deck surface to allow water to pass through or run off to avoid “pooling”.

Plastic decking will weather better and require less maintenance than natural woods.

Special attention is required for composite decking manufactured with organic materials as they are more susceptible to decay than true plastic decking. Internal expansion from “wicking” of organic fibers in composite decking results in deck expansion also.

How much maintenance is required?

Composite decking should be washed annually to remove mold or mildew.  Do NOT use a power washer to avoid damaging the boards.  Hand scrub only. Be sure to use a biodegradable cleaner to prevent damage to the environment.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

With composite decking, it’s important to remember that the decking absorbs the sun’s rays and may become warm to the touch on hot days.  At times it may actually get uncomfortable to walk on it.  The darker the color the hotter it gets. On the flip side, composite decking will generally feel warm on cooler days if the sun is out.
Composite decking can also be a problem on large bodies of water much like a wood deck.  When waves beat against the bottom of the decking the dock is more likely to flip over if the decking is bolted to the frames.  It needs a way to relieve the pressure.

Plastic decking has a major advantage over all the other types of decking.  Because 42% of the decking is “open”, it reduces the pressure when waves hit it versus any other type of decking.  Additionally, plastic decking has “clips” to secure it to the frame to prevent wash out.

If the “pressure is so great that the “clips” break, it’s better to lose the panel than damage the frames.  Usually, the panels settle to the bottom within 100 feet of the dock and are recoverable.  They never float completely away.

image of Glacier Decking by ShoreMaster - Grey

Glacier Decking by ShoreMaster – Grey

image of Glacier Decking by ShoreMaster - Tan

Glacier Decking by ShoreMaster – Tan

On the Bay of Green Bay, we have witnessed this happen.  An entire steel dock with bolt down decking could not relieve the wave pressure and flipped over in a storm.

 

image of Vertex Decking by ShoreMaster

Vertex Decking by ShoreMaster

Next door, a lighter weight, aluminum dock with plastic decking withstood the waves with only an initial loss of a few panels.  The next day 95% of the panels were recovered.

Another advantage is that plastic decking does NOT get hot to the touch.

  Summary

In general, Glacier Plastic decking from ShoreMaster is really your best option for decking.  Plastic decking provides low maintenance and presents long-term durability for your dock application.

Plastic decking advantages include:

  • Virtually maintenance free
  • Repels the water
  • Slip-resistant
  • Less pressure on the decking and frames
  • Cool to the touch

 Remember

ShoreMaster is Your Best Choice for all dock decking choices – no matter what you choose.  With eight different decking choices to choose from, you can see why ShoreMaster leads the industry in high-quality decking options.
 
Now that you have more information on the types of decking options available for your dock system, you’re ready to head to Pier & Waterfront Solutions to see all the ShoreMaster decking options for yourself.

Where are we?

PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. Located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay at the intersection of Idlewild Road.  Our staff is ready to help you anytime.

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 him at Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.

ALUMINUM DECKING – A COMPLETE GUIDE TO DECKING OPTIONS – (PART 2) – Pier & Waterfront Solutions

Feb 7, 2018

Aluminum Decking – Your Guide to Decking options 

Aluminum decking may be the best choice for dock decking. It requires no maintenance.  Aluminum does not rot, decay, warp, or twist.  It only needs cleaning as you see fit.

This article is the 2nd of a 3 part series discussing the decking available from ShoreMaster.

Part 1 covered the various types of Wood Decking available. Section 3 includes the latest plastic and composite deckings available.

Aluminum Decking

Aluminum can be powder coated with several different patterns and colors.

What are the other advantages of aluminum?

Here’s a list of aluminum advantages:

  • Aluminum remains cool in sunlight;
  • Lightweight decking;
  • It comes in several different colors and patterns;
  • Virtually maintenance free and durable; Plus
  • It will not rust, twist or warp over the life of the dock.

Compare Aluminum to Other Decking Materials

Aluminum remains lighter weight than wood, composite, or plastic decking. This weight makes it easier to remove the decking for seasonal storage.

Among all the choices for decking, aluminum remains one of the best.  It will not rot or decay.   With powder coating, aluminum provides the best finish durability vs. other decking choices.  

What are some of the colors available in aluminum?

ShoreMaster Aluminum Decking Color Choices

"image

 

Anodized aluminum decking – a worry free, maintenance free way to deck your dock.

Anodized decking is used on dock systems for access to the water for work as opposed to recreation.

All ShoreMaster aluminum panels have treads to provide you with a safe, slip-resistant surface.   Aluminum remains comfortable even in the heat.

What colors and patterns are available for aluminum?

 

White Painted Aluminum

image of Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster - White

Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster – White

ShoreMaster’s white painted aluminum decking has been the standard for many years.   It adds years of worry free, maintenance free enjoyment to your lake experience.

You’ll never have to worry about applying stain or finish to keep it looking great. Occasional rinsing off is the only thing needed to keep it looking new.

Powder coated in brilliant white, you’ll get a clean, modern looking surface. Plus, it stays cool to the touch even on warm summer days. Heat dissipates faster from aluminum decking than from wood.

Aluminum deck panels have treads to provide you a safe, slip-resistant surface.

Tan Painted Aluminum

image of Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster - Tan

Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster – Tan

 

ShoreMaster’s tan painted aluminum decking has replaced white as the most popular aluminum color.

Aluminum decking provides a maintenance-free deck which makes lake living carefree.  Powder coated in natural tan, it gives you an attractive surface to compliment your waterfront property.

Tan aluminum decking stays cool to the touch.  You can enjoy every summer day on your dock – without burning your feet.

 

 

 

Next – NEW – Woodgrain Painted Aluminum 

 Natural Woodgrain Decking

Natural wood traditionalists now have something to cheer.

You no longer have to give up the benefits of aluminum to enjoy the natural look of wood.   Consider upgrading your wood decking choice to ShoreMaster’s NEW Wood Grain Aluminum Decking.

image of Gray Oak Woodgrain Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster

Gray Oak Woodgrain Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster

 

For traditionalists, the wood look is a must. ShoreMaster has aluminum panels in several wood patterns and colors. Get the best of both worlds with the NEW wood-grained aluminum panels.

Aluminum can be powder coated in a natural, realistic wood grain pattern.  You get all the benefits of aluminum with the look of natural wood.  Plus, you’ll have none of the work of wood.

  image of Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster- Natural Woodgrain

Aluminum Decking by ShoreMaster- Natural Woodgrain

 Summary

ShoreMaster leads the industry with a choice of eight different decking options.  It’s a great way to update your existing dock too.

Contact Pier & Waterfront Solutions to see all the ShoreMaster decking options for yourself.

Reminder

Pier & Waterfront Solutions specializes in ShoreMaster docks, lifts, both residential and commercial. We service the rest.

Located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. PWS is 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay.  Look for the intersection of Idlewild Road.  Our staff is ready to help you anytime.

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 him at Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.

WOOD DECKING – A Complete Guide to Dock Decking- (Part 1) – Pier & Waterfront Solutions

Feb 5, 2018

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO DECKING OPTIONS – (Part 1)

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing            Updated by Pier & Waterfront Solutions LLC

Wood decking is one of the many ShoreMaster options available for docks.  In fact, they offer so many decking choices that it can be hard to grasp which option best fits your needs.

This first of three articles discusses the types of wood decking available from ShoreMaster – namely Cedar and IPE wood decking.

In Part 2 of the series, the topic will be the types of aluminum decking available.  Finally, in the third part of the series, the topic will be the latest plastic and composite decking types.

How to choose the Right Wood Decking for your dock?

Some dock manufacturers are very limited in their decking options. This is a blessing to a dealer because it limits their on-hand inventory. At the same time, limited decking choices affect your ability to get the best choice for your needs.

With ShoreMaster decking you are not limited to one or two choices. or the few choices the dealer chooses to tell you about.  Remember, Pier Waterfront Solutions LLC has access to the widest range of decking choices anywhere. This is a major positive for you as a dock owner.

Decking represents 25% – 50% of the total cost of a dock system

With this realization in mind, initial decking cost is obviously an important aspect when choosing decking for a dock system.

Plus, no element on any dock system connects closer to the dock user than the decking. The number of deck choices available to you remains the most important factor when purchasing that new dock.

You may be surprised to learn that initial cost is only a small factor in the total cost over the lifespan of the deck.

Considering Wood Decking For Your Dock System?

For traditionalists (or people on a budget), wood decking is the only way to go.  It usually is the least expensive and natural looking product available.

Wood contains natural oils and tannins to resist rot, decay, and insects. As a result, natural wood does not need dangerous or harmful chemicals to prevent rotting.

Many dock owners like the look and feel of natural wood decking on their dock.   At the same time, it’s important to note that wood decking requires more maintenance than aluminum, composite or plastic decking.

How much maintenance does natural wood require?

image of Pressure Washed Wood Decking

Pressure Washing to clean wood decking

In general, the recommendation for maintaining natural. unfinished wood decking is to power wash your decking annually.  With a finish applied to wood, expect to clean and apply a fresh coat of finish every three to four years to keep it looking good.  Now the cost is starting to add up.

Other Considerations

When choosing wood decking, it’s important to remember that wood decking will absorb the sun’s rays and become very warm to the touch on hot days. At times it may actually get uncomfortable to walk on it. On the flip side, wood decking will generally feel nice and warm on cooler days with any amount of sunshine.

Keep in mind that wood decking retains that heat longer than any aluminum or plastic decking.

Deciding between Hardwood Decking and Softwood Decking For Your Dock

Wood is a great natural looking and durable decking material for your dock system. Pier & Waterfront Solutions LLC offers two types of wood decking for your dock – IPE, which is a tropical hardwood, and Red Cedar, a softwood.  

Image of IPE Decking by ShoreMaster

IPE Decking by ShoreMaster

The first thing that you are likely to notice the difference between hardwoods and softwoods is the price.

Hardwoods take longer to grow than softwoods, and as a result, it costs more for the hardwood materials. Another difference – is the density or the hardness of each material. Because hardwoods take longer to grow, the wood is denser.  This makes hardwoods heavier than softwoods.

Softwoods grow quicker than hardwoods, so the wood becomes less dense and lighter.  This makes it easier to cut and drill than hardwoods. Softwoods such as red cedar have varying levels of hardness and resistance to insects and decay.

What does this mean for the durability of the softwoods?

Durability is related to the amount of heartwood on the boards. Heartwood grows near the center of the tree, which makes it harder, and more resistant to insects and decay based on the amount of Sapwood in the section.

Sapwood grows near the outer part of the tree which means it is a bit softer and more susceptible to decay due to its lack of density.  Red Cedar decking from ShoreMaster is carefully selected to contain less sapwood to prolong the life of the wood. This results in your decking becoming less susceptible to early weatherization and insects.

Whether you choose a hardwood or a softwood deck for your dock, you’ll be glad to know that each type of wood contains natural oils and tannins to help protect it from insects and decay.  Both kinds of wood require about the same amount of maintenance each year to keep their natural appearance.

With no stain or finish applied, you still need to power wash your wood decking annually to keep it looking beautiful. Both IPE hardwoods and red cedar softwoods will weather to a silver-gray color with no stain or finish applied to the wood.  Eventually, some areas of the decking will turn darker colors, even a gray-black with no yearly maintenance.  See this article to see why this is true: https://wisconsinpws.com/cleaning-wood-decking/

 Cedar Wood Decking

image of cedar wood decking from ShoreMaster - Door County

Cedar Wood Decking from ShoreMaster

 

When ShoreMaster sources cedar decking from its suppliers, they search for boards that contain more heartwood than sapwood. This makes your cedar decking less susceptible to insects and decay. This way you can be confident that your cedar decking will resist decay and remain safe. It also looks great on your shoreline.

To most dock owners, nothing feels better on your bare feet than the soft, warm, natural beauty of red cedar decking.

IPE Wood Decking

image of IPE Hardwood Decking from ShoreMaster

IPE Hardwood Decking from ShoreMaster

When it comes to Hardwood decking, nothing beats ShoreMaster’s IPE hardwood decking. ShoreMaster’s IPE hardwood adds a sense of stability to your dock.  It feels incredibly firm underfoot because of its natural hardness and density.  It looks great and provides a gentle, natural wood feel on your bare feet.

IPE, being a hardwood, is denser than and heavier than Cedar decking. It has the added benefit of resistance to being blown out of the dock by wind or waves due to it’s added weight.

All wood decking can be a problem on large bodies of water when waves beat against the bottom of the decking.  With few open areas to relieve the pressure, it becomes prone to being washed out of the frames.

For natural beauty, nothing beats natural wood.

Reminder

Pier & Waterfront Solutions specializes in ShoreMaster docks, lifts, and accessories both residential and commercial. We service the rest.

PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. Located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay at the intersection of Idlewild Road.  Our staff is ready to help you anytime.

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 him at Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.

Leveling Legs for Boat LIfts (Adjustable) – Pier & Waterfront Solutions

Feb 2, 2018

Boat Lift Adjustable Leveling legs – What you Really need to know

Written by Shoremaster marketing                                                 Updated by Pier & Waterfront Solutions LLC

Adjustable boat lift leveling legs – You may not need them.

image of Boat Lift Leveling Legs by ShoreMaster

Boat Lift Leveling Legs by ShoreMaster

That’s right – You may not need adjustable boat lift legs.  Unless your water depth continuously fluctuates throughout the boating season you may not need leveling legs for your boat lift. Wouldn’t it be a shame to pay for that feature when it isn’t needed?

Some boat lift manufacturers automatically incorporate adjustable leveling legs into their boat lift design. This forces customers to pay for them, even when they don’t have a need for them.  Why?

It’s their attempt at differentiating their design from the simplicity of a ShoreMaster Boat Lift.

Remember – Simple is always better.

By incorporating adjustable leveling legs in the design, they are also adding to the owners’ maintenance burden.  All that for an accessory that may not be required or even wanted by the consumer.

Still feel it is a desirable accessory?

For those that feel it is a desirable accessory, ShoreMaster does offer add-on adjustable leveling legs for boat lifts.  However, ShoreMaster boat lift customers aren’t initially required to pay for or maintain an accessory that they may not need.

You may not need them as much as you think you will.

Even if you experience moderate water depth fluctuations, you will likely find that you don’t need adjustable leveling legs.

Here’s an example: even if you experience a drop in a water depth of 12 to 18” over the summer, you may be able to adjust for this.  Changing where you position your rack beam may solve the problem for you.

In other words – Your your starting water depth is near 4’.  You will likely be able to overcome an in-season water drop of about 12”.  Just lower your boat lifts rack an additional 12” to allow access to your boat lift. If you have a shallow lake, you may have the lift positioned with the rack as low as it goes right from the start.  No further adjustment is allowed.

What good will the lift leg system do if you can’t go any further down? It’s that simple. There may be no need, or ability, to adjust the overall height of your boat lift at all.

In reality, you usually will not need to adjust your lift legs after your initial install. Why pay for something that requires more maintenance over the years?

ShoreMaster’s adjustable leveling legs are an add-on feature for new or existing boat lifts. That’s a win for current and future boat lift customers.

Adjustable boat lift legs are not as adjustable as you might think.

Adjustable Leveling Legs do provide a convenience that works well for an only a few boat lift owners

It is important to make sure that the amount of vertical travel is adequate for their water fluctuation.  After all, built in lift leveling legs will do you no good if they don’t provide an adequate amount of travel.

The Case for All Add-On Boat Lift Accessories

It’s pretty difficult to improve on the time-tested design of a ShoreMaster vertical DVS boat lift.  That’s because a boat lift’s design should be:

  • simple,
  • durable, and
  • should not require constant maintenance or tightening of bolts.

Shoremasters welded frame design and simple pulley system, making it extremely simple and durable. Normal maintenance usually consists of replacing a cable every few years as needed.

ShoreMaster has a record for years of dependable service with minimal maintenance.

When you incorporate adjustable leveling legs into the design of a boat lift, you reduce the simplicity of the lift and increase the maintenance requirements.

Along with this reduction in boat lift simplicity comes:

  • increased potential for problems,
  • more need for maintenance,
  • added weight; and
  • higher cost.


Unless the innovation is something that benefits all customers, you are forcing them to pay for things they will never use. With ShoreMaster’s Adjustable Boat Lift Screw Legs as an add-on feature, you can always put a leg leveling system on if you need it

You’re not wasting your time and money maintaining an accessory that you didn’t require in the first place.

 Reminder

Pier & Waterfront Solutions specializes in ShoreMaster docks, lifts, and accessories – both residential and commercial.   We service the rest.

PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57.  Located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay at the intersection of Idlewild Road, our staff is ready to serve your needs.

If you have a dock or boat lift topic or issue you would like to see addressed on our site, feel free to give us a call.  We believe that an informed consumer makes better decisions.

Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.