May 28, 2020
Is Your Pier Missing a Dock Storage Box?
Is a Dock Storage Box on your summer shopping list? How many times do you walk to your pier, only to kick yourself because you wish you had a storage box? Do you always forget something? Every time you set foot on your dock, do you think of all the equipment you could store in it? Where do you store the life preservers? Wouldn’t a dock storage box be convenient?
What Makes A Great Storage Box?
Unsure of what to look for in a storage or dock box? Are you afraid to purchase one because you don’t know enough about them? Read on to find helpful info about storage boxes. They will make life much easier for you.
Does the Storage Box Have Tight Fits?
Water Laser Cutting Technology, used on the best dock storage boxes, ensures the best fit. This process offers a consistent, precision cut for all the various pieces. This precision makes for a superior fit. Precision cuts and quality hinges fit together better. The box is less likely to suffer from leaks or damage.
Additionally, these dock storage boxes constructed from fiberglass provide a far superior product.
What’s The Alternative?
The alternative, polyethylene (plastic) storage boxes, fade, discolor, and warp in sunlight. As a result, this depreciates its usage and aesthetic value.
Fiberglass dock storage boxes also come with a gel-coat finish to add an extra layer of protection. Like polyethylene dock boxes, the gel-coat finish will oxidize in sunlight. So what’s the difference then? The difference is, you can buff and wax the oxidation off of the box to keep it looking brand new, year after year.
Buffing and waxing increase the durability of the box in the form of scrape and cut resistance. You can buff and wax any imperfections with a rubbing compound and watch them disappear. The process is like cleaning the hull of a boat on a smaller scale.
Do Polyethlene Dock Storage Boxes Have Gel-Coating?
Polyethylene dock storage boxes do not have a gel-coat finish. Once the sun damages the plastic material, it’s impossible to restore the surface to a like-new finish again.
The failure of the polyethylene storage boxes to withstand the sun will cause you to consider buying a new dock box. This type of failure will happen much sooner with a Polyethylene box than if you had chosen a fiberglass dock box initially.
Choose quality first to save time and money.
Assorted Dock storage Box sizes
Dock storage boxes come in many sizes including:
98″ x 22″ x 24.5″ H 85″ x 22″ x 24.5″
72″ x 26.5″ x 27.5″ 74″ x 38″ x 36″
71″ x 22″ x 24.5″ 33″ x 24″ x 18″
44.5″ x 26.5″ x 27.5″ 39.5″ x 19.75″ x 21.5″
Triangular and Low profile versions are also avaiable. Call for more information.
Not enough room to mount a dock box on your dock?
PWS has alternatives including, side mounts, for the boxes.
NEW – this year!
This year PWS has another alternative that was not available in the past. Talk to Jerry about trading your dock for the new 3-Season Pier, which we are now offering.
This new steel dock can handle storms better due to it’s higher weight and the “open” decking we use. Combining these two features makes it the heaviest pier on Green Bay. It has survived installations on Lake Michigan also.
An additional feature is the 4′ x 10′ “L,” which is standard on the 3-Season dock. This allows 16 sq feet more than lesser docks. It makes it easier to mount a dock box, enter a boat lift, and entertain your friends.
Tell Your Friends & Family
Have friends or neighbors you believe should see this article? Email them this link – and Thank you!
Don’t Forget – Considering rip-rap for your shoreline? PWS is the place to contact!
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 side, one mile north, at the next intersection (Idlewild Road and Hwy 57).
ARE WE OPEN?
During this time of uncertainty, Pier & Waterfront Solutions is staying “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 that you have come to expect.
We are implementing these precautionary measures:
1. Conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
2. Site visits will continue but with limited in-person meetings. When in-person contacts are necessary, we will follow “social distancing” guidelines.
3. Our display yard is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays have a numbered, red tag on them. If you want more information or pricing, please reference that number.
Is there More?
4. Some employees will be working remotely, but they are always available by phone.
5. Any employee with symptoms or illness is sent home.
6. We continue to provide estimates and invoices by email to make the process paperless.
7. Crew starting times are being staggered to limit social interactions.
8. We keep the same crews together to limit cross interactions.
With these measures, we hope everyone will stay safe, and we will be back to normal operations soon.
What can you do to help us?
1. Please conduct as much business as possible via emails, messaging, and emails. This step protects everyone involved.
2. When you see our crews installing equipment, please practice “social distancing.”
Thank you for allowing us to work with you.
So – YES – ARE WE OPEN?
Please call, message, or email us with any questions.
Let’s all stay safe!
Contact:
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com – Commercial work & new/used Sales.
Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com – Erosion control & shoreline work.
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com – Scheduling & Service work
May 5, 2020
Sturgeon Bay business installs Rip-Rap
Pier & Waterfront Solutions has expanded its Sturgeon Bay rip-rap business to handle the increased installation demand on Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay. Installing rip-rap has prevented further destruction due to the high water levels. Pier & Waterfront Solutions has kept its excavators working through the winter to meet the demand.
PWS Co-owner, Dave Kalista, has been coordinating the work for the last two years. Dave recently reported that “As the waters continue to rise, the demand has risen with it. We recently added another excavator to handle the demand.” Dave went on to say, “With the additional excavator, we can better serve our customers in a timely fashion.”
As of Jan. 2020, local waters in Sturgeon Bay and the whole of the Door County Peninsula have risen 39,” year-to-year. 39″ exceeds records set back in 1986. Some experts predict water levels will increase by an additional 20″ by the end of summer.
Rip-rap could prevent this.
As a result, beaches are eroding at an alarming rate. The erosion is due to record-setting water levels and intense storms. Typical damage includes eroded beaches, lawns, and uprooted trees and vegetation.
How can you protect your Property?
Experts agree – rip-rap and seawalls are the best methods to protect against erosion. Of the choices, rip-rap is the least costly by far.
Contact Dave at (920) 905-2588 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 side, one mile north, at the next intersection (Idlewild Road and Hwy 57).
ARE WE OPEN?
During this time of uncertainty, Pier & Waterfront Solutions is staying “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 that you have come to expect.
We are implementing these precautionary measures:
1. Conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
2. Site visits will continue but with limited in-person meetings. When in-person contacts are necessary, we will follow “social distancing” guidelines.
3. Our display yard is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays have a numbered, red tag on them. If you want more information or pricing, please reference that number.
Is there More?
4. Some employees will be working remotely, but they are always available by phone.
5. Any employee with symptoms or illness is sent home.
6. We continue to provide estimates and invoices by email to make the process paperless.
7. Crew starting times are being staggered to limit social interactions.
8. We keep the same crews together to limit cross interactions.
With these measures, we hope everyone will stay safe, and we will be back to normal operations soon.
What can you do to help us?
1. Please conduct as much business as possible via emails, messaging, and emails. This step protects everyone involved.
2. When you see our crews installing equipment, please practice “social distancing.”
Thank you for allowing us to work with you.
So – YES – ARE WE OPEN?
Please call, message, or email us with any questions.
Let’s all stay safe!
Contact:
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com – Commercial work & new/used Sales.
Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com – Erosion control & shoreline work.
John @ (920) 493-4405 or John@wisconsinpws.com – Scheduling & Service work
Apr 28, 2020
3 REASONS FOR A SHORTER DOCK
The high water again this year means that your dock and boat lift will once again be taking a beating. (see article)
Last year, some people insisted on putting their entire dock in. Additionally, they wanted their boat lifts at the end of the dock. We advised against this, and we will be asking again this year. Why do we recommend this?
THE LEGAL REASON
First, the Legal reason – the DNR restricts a dock from being in water depths deeper than necessary to float a boat. In the past, in some areas, this meant a dock could be 200′ long (with warning lights to alert boaters in the dark).
Even that 200′ dock was legal as long as it did not obstruct boat traffic. If the water levels were shallow, you had to go that far out to launch a boat in some areas.
Today, that same dock could be closer to 100′ (or less) due to the extremely high water.
NOW – THE PRACTICAL REASON
Second, the reason for a shorter dock this year is simple – The water is EVEN HIGHER this year. There is a better chance that your dock and boat will survive the storms.
NEXT, THE FINANCIAL REASON
Finally, do you want to save money as well as reduce the risk of damage to your dock & boat lifts? The cost of installation depends, among other things, on the actual time it takes to install your equipment. Often, fewer sections equate to lower costs.
What’s the alternative to a shorter dock?
Without your agreement, we had to install the full length. If you didn’t agree, we felt we had no choice but to replace the legs with longer legs. We had to do this to compensate for the higher water. But, this route results in higher costs for installation.
Some homeowners took us up on the shorter docks in the hope that the water would go down in 2020. It didn’t! Others opted for lengthening the legs.
From our standpoint, it requires more time to replace the legs with longer ones than to shorten the dock.
So – What Happened?
Some docks did not have longer legs put on, and we installed the entire length. Still, they survived. If this was your dock, feel fortunate.
For those who did NOT allow us to do one of these alternatives, we will be asking you to choose again this year. Remember, the water is even higher this year.
We would prefer to leave one or two sections uninstalled this year. The alternative, we will request that you allow us to put longer legs on your dock. Our goal is simple – we want to limit damage to your dock.
Also remember, with longer legs, your dock may have more “sway” to it. If that happens, we recommend sway braces.
Even with longer legs, we will ask you to move your boat, and jet ski lifts closer to the shore. This will help protect them from the waves. The lifts have limited leg lengths (without getting longer legs). Your boat could pay the price if we don’t use one of these alternatives.
NEW – this year!
This year PWS has another alternative that was not available in the past. Talk to Jerry about trading your dock for the new 3-Season Pier, which we are now offering.
This new steel dock can handle storms better due to it’s greater weight and the “open” decking we use. Combining these two features makes it the heaviest pier on Green Bay. It has survived installations on Lake Michigan also.
Tell Your Friends & Family
Have friends or neighbors you believe should see this article? Email them this link – and Thank you!
Don’t Forget – Considering rip-rap for your shoreline? PWS is the place to contact!
PWS is open for business as usual. Practicing “Social Distancing”? We do business by phone and emails also.
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 side, one mile north, at the next intersection (Idlewild Road and Hwy 57).
ARE WE OPEN?
During this time of uncertainty, Pier & Waterfront Solutions is staying “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 that you have come to expect.
We are implementing these precautionary measures:
1. Conducting as much business as possible by email, text, or phone.
2. Site visits will continue but with limited in-person meetings. When in-person contacts are necessary, we will follow “social distancing” guidelines.
3. Our display yard is always open for you to examine at your leisure. All displays have a numbered, red tag on them. If you want more information or pricing, please reference that number.
Is there More?
4. Some employees will be working remotely, but they are always available by phone.
5. Any employee with symptoms or illness is sent home.
6. We continue to provide estimates and invoices by email to make the process paperless.
7. Crew starting times are being staggered to limit social interactions.
8. We keep the same crews together to limit cross interactions.
With these measures, we hope everyone will stay safe, and we will be back to normal operations soon.
What can you do to help us?
1. Please conduct as much business as possible via emails, messaging, and emails. This step protects everyone involved.
2. When you see our crews installing equipment, please practice “social distancing.”
Thank you for allowing us to work with you.
So – YES – ARE WE OPEN?
Please call, message, or email us with any questions.
Let’s all stay safe!
Contact:
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com – Commercial work & new/used Sales.
Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com – Erosion control & shoreline work.
John @ (920) 493-4405 or John@wisconsinpws.com – Scheduling & Service work
Mar 3, 2020
WILL RIP-RAP PROTECT MY SHORELINE?
Headline – Lake Michigan’s water level rose 2 inches in the final week of January alone. And – it’s still rising!
So what?
A 2-inch rise in water level doesn’t seem like a whole lot, But, did you know it takes 778.4 BILLION
(that’s Billion with a B) gallons of water to do that.
DID WE GET YOUR ATTENTION?
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District:
“Lake Michigan-Huron is starting well above its 2019 starting levels. The 2019 levels were already at their highest in years. (The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers treat Lake Michigan-Huron as one body of water.)”
The rise in water levels placed Lake Michigan well above where it started last year. It’s fair to say that with this start, we will likely see worsening erosion in 2020.
Here’s a quote from the Army Corps of Engineers –
“The current water level for Lake Michigan-Huron is 581.69 feet. That is 3 inches higher than one month ago, 20 inches higher than where it was just a year ago and 39 inches higher than where the lake typically is in January!”
Put in simplest terms, Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay are very high.
ARE WE AT RECORD LEVELS?
If the month ended on January 24th, the answer would be a resounding yes. The lake level is a whopping 5 inches above the record highest monthly average, observed in 1987!
The water not only filled the Great Lakes, but it also saturated wetlands and swamps in the watershed. Those areas have served as “sponges” to absorb the excess water in the past.
After a few wet seasons, those areas can’t hold any more water. Any rain or snow that falls now ends up pushing lake levels even higher.
When lake levels rise, the rivers and tributaries feeding the bay begin to swell with the excess water. The extra water means flooding in any low-lying areas. Remember -Those areas are also saturated.
The reality of the situation is that lakes Michigan and Huron are full. The lakes are beyond full. Don’t forget – Lake Superior is also at an all-time high.
The excess water means land that has been dry for decades is now wet. Soils that haven’t seen lake levels this high since 1986 are suddenly saturated.
THE SECOND FACTOR – WIND
The wind is the second-factor driving erosion of your shoreline.
If you have a 30 mile per hour wind (especially from the NW, in our case), on top of the high water, you get a three or 4-foot wave. The water begins to slam into the shorelines at a higher level, not seen since ’86. To make matters even worse, NE winds cause a surge in water depth.
In the past, the upper levels of your shoreline only saw waves during a few storms each year. Today, the waves are pounding the shores at much higher levels on a daily basis.
Wind-driven waves batter the shoreline – one wave after another, around the clock, day in and day out. There’s nothing unusual about continuous waves. Except, now they are battering much higher on the shoreline.
The record levels of water and strong gusty winds create a lot of energy in the form of wave action.
Rip-rap helps reduce the effects of the waves.
The waves scrub the shoreline and batter the substrate. Waves loosen the once stable and dry shore over time. Now, throw in the occasional storm, and the impact intensifies even more.
SAND BEACHES
If you have sand as your predominate substrate, the waves loosen it. Eventually, the substrate breaks down and moves with the waves. The water takes away a lot of the base that’s on your shore.
Someone once said, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Well, here’s the picture – link. This is in Lower Michigan but the same thing is happening to the Door County peninsula shorelines. Note the protection from the rip-rap areas.
HIGH EMBANKMENTS
Shoreline Erosion without rip-rap
If you have a high embankment, the situation is similar to a sand beach. With higher water and saturated ground, the waves pound against the raised embankment. Only roots, weeds, and small rocks hold the soil in place.
Now wash away the soil from the embankment, and the roots can no longer hold the ground in place. The rocks become dislodged and wash away.
BEDROCK?
With high water levels, many people have no shoreline left. The waves continuously batter the bedrock walls. Every small piece dislodged from the bedrock exposes a new surface for the waves to attack.
Moisture gets into the small fissures, and the freeze-thaw cycle begins. The freeze-thaw cycle is widespread in early spring and late fall. Once the rock loosens, the waves can remove the pieces. It’s a natural cycle. Remember, the freeze-thaw period happens to roads every winter – they are called “potholes”.
WHEN WILL THIS STOP?
It will need a drop in lake levels before you don’t have to worry about losing your shoreline.
WHAT ABOUT THE WAVES?
Waves are the result of the friction between the water and winds. Mankind has no control over wind-driven waves. There is no way to control it.
Since we haven’t mastered the art of controlling rainfall or winds, there are limited things we can do to save our shorelines.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Since we can’t control the rain or the waves, experts say the best solution is either a seawall or rip-rap.
Seawalls are the more expensive option.
Rip-Rap is the alternative to a seawall. Rip-rap will reduce or eliminate the damage caused by high water and waves.
HOW DOES RIP-RAP WORK?
As waves move towards your shore, they absorb energy. When the waves get closer to shallow water, that energy causes the waves to rise and “curl”. This action generates turbulence at the leading edge.
Rip-rap breaks the energy of the waves by absorbing and deflecting the power across the pile. We add a permeable barrier under the rip-rap to prevent the soil from washing out under it.
WILL RIP-RAP WASH AWAY?
A “toe stone” at the bottom of the rip-rap solves this problem. The “toe stone” consists of partially buried two-ton, up to 8 1/2 ton, boulder at the leading edge of the rip-rap. They help hold the rip-rap in place during wave action.
WHO DOES RIP-RAP IN DOOR COUNTY?
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) has installed many rip-rap installations to save properties like yours. Shouldn’t they be doing yours?
IS IT COST-EFFECTIVE?
Yes, Remember, your property values decrease if people see the shorelines washed out or if your lawn was carried away by the waves. First impressions are crucial to any sale.
WANT THE WORK DONE RIGHT?
PWS has dedicated teams who do nothing but rip-rap. Contact Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com for your erosion control and shoreline work.
Tell Your Friends & Family
Have friends or neighbors you believe should see this article? Email them this link and – Thank you!
Don’t Forget
Pier & Waterfront Solutions (PWS) specializes in:
- ShoreMaster docks, lifts, and jet ski lifts;
- Lift Boss boat lift motors;
- Accessories for docks and lifts;
- Marina construction and repairs; Plus
NEW!! Shoreline erosion control and waterfront work
Visit Pier & Waterfront Solutions on Facebook also.
PWS is located at the intersection of Idlewild Road and Hwy 57. Located at 7325 St. Hwy 57. It’s 3 miles south of Sturgeon Bay, and 1 mile beyond the intersection of Cty MM (heading north).
Contact:
Dave @ (920) 905-2588 or Dave@wisconsinpws.com for erosion control and shoreline work.
Jerry @ (920) 493-4404 or Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for commercial work and new & used Sales.
John @ (920) 493- 4405 or John@wisconsinpws.com for Scheduling & Service work
