Our team at Renegar Construction Specializes in designing and building docks of all kinds, and we are here to help you get the right dock for your needs. When building a boat dock, one of the first decisions you will need to make is whether to build a stationary or floating dock. In this article, we will go over some of the advantages and disadvantages of floating docks to help you decide if they are right for you.
Advantages of Floating Docks
- Versatility – One advantage of floating docks is that they are highly versatile. They can be installed on shorelines, pilings, or even as extensions of stationary docks.
- Ease of Change – Another benefit is that floating docks can be changed and re-configured easily—if you are not happy with your current setup, you can simply adjust it to your liking.
- Cost – Floating docks are a highly affordable option. In particular, they are the cheapest solution for putting a dock in deep water, as floating docks do not require any supports or foundation to be sunk into the sea floor.
- Accessibility – Yet another benefit of floating docks is that they are easy for swimmers to access. If you want to swim in your lake, river, or ocean, then a floating dock may be the best choice for your needs.
Disadvantages of Floating Docks
- Reduced Longevity – Floating docks don’t last as long as stationary docks. Typically, floating docks will last 20-30 years, while stationary docks last 25-35.
- Not Ideal for Water Traffic – Because floating docks move with the water, they are not ideal for areas with a lot of water traffic, as the wake of boats will send the dock bobbing up and down constantly.
- Affected by Low Tide – Low tides also present a problem for floating docks, as the dock will sink with the water level and get closer to the ground. This could potentially damage your floating devices.