People fail to realize the importance of a boat anchoring system. The design of the dock anchoring system will affect the lifespan of your boat dock. A floating dock’s anchoring system will affect three things — maintenance, durability, and strength.
When you are selecting an anchoring system, there are a few factors that you need to consider. These factors include water depth, the distance the boat will be from the shore, potential frequency and the amount of water level fluctuations, amount of wind and wave loads on the boat dock, configuration of the boat dock, and local regulations.
There are several anchoring systems that you can use with your boat dock, but before you choose one, it is important to learn about the most common ones. Following is a list of the most common anchoring systems for floating docks:
1. Piles Anchoring System
A piles anchoring system is composed of two piles made from wood, steel, fiberglass, or concrete. You need to use pile rollers to secure this system to your floating dock. In this method, you drive the poles deeper into the surface. However, you can not relocate your boat dock during certain seasons. They are a great option for boat docks that endure water loads and windy conditions.
2. Stiff Arm Anchoring System
A stiff anchoring system is made from two or more reinforced arms. The arms hinge on the floating dock and the shore. They feature cables, which run diagonally between the two arms. The gangway acts as one leg of this anchoring system. It is more affordable than other anchoring systems and is for floating docks located near the shore. If you do not experience any water fluctuations, you can consider this system for your boat dock.
3. Pole and Sleeve Anchoring System
A pole and sleeve anchoring system feature a rigid sleeve connected to the floating dock. A four-inch diameter pole slides through the sleeve. This type of anchoring system is suitable for bottoms that are stable and not rocky.
Go with a pole and sleeve anchoring system if you reside in an area that receives a lot of wind and wave loads. This system increases the flexibility of your boat dock by moving it away from the shore during water fluctuations.
4. Cables Anchoring System
A cables anchoring system consists of more than one cable attached to the shore or the weights in the water. Sometimes, both methods of installing this anchoring system are used. Like the stiff arm anchoring system, this anchoring system is also affordable. It is a good choice for areas that receive a lot of water fluctuations, heavy wind, and wave loads.
Not sure which anchoring system to use for your floating dock? Need some help? EZ Dock Texas can help you decide. Just contact them at 800-654-8168 for boat dock installation. If you live in Texas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico, call us for a quote today!
