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The Best Dock Configuration for Fishing

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Are you getting ready for next year’s boating season? This is the best time of year to start planning all the necessary repairs and upgrades that your boat dock and lift need to be up and running for the start of next year’s season. It’s best to know what’s required early, so there will be plenty of time for repairs and installations. During this time of year, a common question that we get asked is what configuration would be best for a certain activity such as fishing. So today, we want to discuss the best dock configurations that make fishing easy and relaxing!

Which Fishing Dock is Best for Me?

There are many different ways to configure a dock that’s best suited for fishing. Now obviously, you’re able to stand on any dock you want to and fish, but there are ways you can design a dock to make fishing so much easier! If you have little room to walk around to move fishing spots, then it can be difficult. For an experienced fisherman with multiple poles, you need room to quickly move to the pole that has a catch and reel it in.

The first design that is the best budget option is a simple I shaped dock that goes straight out into the water. The great thing about a simple dock like this is that it can even be as small as just one dock section in the water! A simple design like this can easily store a boat on one side as well. There won’t be any obstacles in the way from accessing all sides of the water around your dock with this set up!

An I Shaped Fishing Dock

The next layout that we’ll talk about is a T shape layout. A dock like this will feature a walkway out to a cross section section which forms a T shape. This style of dock has all the benefits of an I shape, but you can also pull up a boat on the end to make it like a drive-thru dock! A dock like this will give you more room to get around on the water, and allows for your fishing area to be much larger than just the two sides of a dock. This is also a great dock for having a boat lift on the insides, or maybe some EZ Ports to store your PWC. This is a great set up for big water enthusiasts.

T Shaped Fishing Dock

The last set up that we’ll highlight in this blog isn’t really a fishing dock, it’s a swim platform. But the great thing about this set up is that it’s small, compact, and portable. It can be set up anywhere in the water with anchors. So if there’s a location a little bit out in the water that you know the fish bite at, you can install a platform out there and boat out to it to reel some fish in.

10′ x 13′ Platform Dock

No matter what type of setup you choose, you need to make sure your dock is configured well for fishing in your area. Make sure that your fishing dock provides you the comfort you deserve, and the protection you need. Here at EZ Dock of Mid-America, we want to make sure our customers have the best idea for a dock layout in mind based of their needs. If you’re interested in a new dock, or have questions regarding a dock layout feel free to contact us. Our team of experts will work with you to best determine your needs and get you out on the water to catch some beautiful fish!

The Difference in Seawalls

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A seawall is used for preventing shoreline erosion from water over time. Due to water’s acidic nature, it will corrode soil and sand away and strip back a shoreline. A seawall offers a barrier of protection that will leave a shoreline in the same shape as it has been. There are different methods of shoreline protection to choose from, and we’ll discuss which method is best for your environment.

Do I Need A Seawall?

You’ll find a lot of seawalls in public bodies of water and near the ocean. They are also very common on residential properties. A seawall is needed to protect a shoreline against erosion, and to prevent flooding when the water rises. They are great for maintaining the value of property. If you own property near water with a lot of fluctuation, you’ll probably want a seawall. It’s not required, but it will certainly benefit your property.

What Are The Types of Seawall?

There are 3 different types of Seawall: Vertical, Curved, and Mound. A vertical seawall is built with panels sticking straight up vertically. The are designed to deflect wave energy and absorb any possible damage. These are the most common type of seawall found due to the simplicity. The drawback to a vertical system is the possibility of damage if a storm produces a wave larger than the wall. It is possible for water to get behind the wall and cause damage in that case.

Vertical Seawall

Curved seawalls are more anchored into the ocean floor and follow a natural curve of a shoreline to absorb energy. They are designed to handle taller waves and offer toe protection, which give them a benefit over vertical seawalls. Curved seawalls are more complex to install than vertical systems, so they will cost more as well. They are able to absorb waves better than a vertical seawall, but for residential areas without a lot of waves on the water a vertical system is the best option for the budget.

Mounded Seawall (Rip-Rap)

A more natural method of shoreline protection is to created a mounded seawall out of stone. This is usually called rip-rap. These are installed by laying down a layer a filter fabric known as geotextile to prevent soil from moving while the water passes through the over top layer of stone and gravel. This is by far the cheapest option of shoreline protection but it doesn’t provide all the protection that seawalls made of stronger materials do.

Cost of Seawall Construction

The cost of seawall construction will differ depending on what type of seawall you require. The cheapest option available is simply coating a shoreline with rip-rap. Before paying for rip-rap, be sure to decide if you want to sacrifice the protection a seawall will offer for a cost friendly option. In areas with lots of water activity and waves, this isn’t the smart choice. A curved seawall is the most complex solution, so it is the most expensive. If you’re interested in a new seawall or help with shoreline management, look up your local marine construction company and request a site inspection. It’s always better to have an expert come decide the best solution for you. Proper shoreline management will prevent erosion and increase property value, so it pays off over time!

Accessing Your Dock with Gangways

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To access your dock, you may need a bridge or gangway to walk between your shoreline and dock depending on the shape of your land. A gangway provides a comfortable, stable walking platform to access your dock if you’re unable to access it directly from land. While docks can be accessed in other ways such as planks or ramps, gangways offer numerous benefits over other methods.

Before purchasing a gangway, there are several things to consider. Keep in mind that you can generally determine what you’ll need by seeing what the neighbors around you use. First, you need to determine the length and width of the gangway you need. When deciding the length, think of how far out you’ll want your dock to go from the shore. Longer gangways will help push your dock out further into the water, but local ordinances may prevent docks from going out too far into the water. The next thing to consider is your options for decking. You can choose wood, aluminum, or ThruFlow which will allow water to seep through if submerged.

EZ Dock Aluminum Gangway

Gangway vs Ramp

There are benefits to both gangways and ramps depending on what application they are needed for. A ramp is better suited for smaller distances. They are generally fixed into position, so they are better suited for bodies of water with low fluctuation. They also don’t come with handrails, so there won’t be a method of support for people that may require it.

Gangways are better than ramps in most ways. While a ramp may be more budget friendly, a gangway provides more stabilization and comfort. A gangway is good for any application, whether it is floating or stationary. The gangway will raise and lower with a floating dock as water levels fluctuate. They also provide extra support with a handrail, which means they’re also ADA compliant.

Other Uses for Gangways

Gangways are good in other applications besides docks. They can be use as elevated walking paths, or on trail systems, or in any application that needs a bridge to cross. With a gangway, you can gain new access to lands that you didn’t think was possible. From walking through a wet marshland to walking up along the tree tops, you’ll be able to fully utilize your land.

If you’re in need of a gangway, feel free to reach out to our team of experts to help determine the best solution for you. We will determine the best material for your gangway, along with the correct size.

ADA Accessibility: Getting More on Your Water

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If you live near or own a public or community dock, you want everyone to be able to enjoy the waterfront. Getting out on the water is a great source of fun that is available to everyone. However, if a dock isn’t ADA compliant, or handicap accessible, then you’re excluding a lot of people that would like to enjoy your dock. Getting your dock up to ADA complaint code will truly allow for your entire community to be able to access the water.

Designing your Dock with ADA Compliant Guidelines

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that physically disabled people have the same rights as anyone. The bill provides guidelines and rules to ensure that all public government facilities provide a safe access for everyone. This even includes boating facilities such as fishing piers, kayak launches, and swim platforms have safety features to prevent slips and falls.

In 2002, the United States Access Board released updated guidelines for boating facilities. These guidelines allow for docks and fishing piers to become wheelchair accessible for fishing and other water activities. Included among these guidelines are certain requirements, such as a secure curb around the edge of a dock, and a smooth gangway ramp transition without any bumps. If you’d like to learn more about the exact guidelines, visit the Access Board’s website here.

Any size dock can be accommodated to ADA standards, no matter if it’s a large marina or a single slip dock. This allows for all public access spaces to be enjoyed by everyone – no matter where they are!

ADA Accessible Dock Solutions

With EZ Dock, designing a ADA complaint solution for your waterfront has never been easier. No matter what activity you have in mind for your waterfront, we can make it accessible to all! Whether it is fishing, kayaking, boating, or any other activity you do on the water, our team of seasoned experts can design a solution for you.

Public Fishing Piers

Given that fishing is one of the most popular activities on the water, many parks and public waterfronts make it a top priority to give everyone an area to spend hours catching fish. With EZ Dock, a fishing pier can be designed in any shape or size and can be accommodated to be ADA compliant. Our expert installation team will make your dock ADA by adding outer handrails and a gangway with a low slope and transition plate to ensure that nobody will fall in.

ADA Accessible Kayak Launches

Kayaking is another popular waterfront activity that is easily accessible to anyone. EZ Dock offers several kayak launch solutions, such as the EZ Launch system. With the EZ Launch system, kayakers will be able to easily get in and out of the water without ever having to worry about getting wet. The launch system allows for the kayak to be held in place and glide right on/off. The EZ Dock Transfer Bench and Sign system allows for a smooth transition from a wheelchair to the kayak. The transfer bench has two different seat sizes built in to accommodate different wheelchair sizes, making kayaking an easily accessible activity to enjoy on the water.

Community Boat Docks

While a non-compliant dock may not provide access for all to get on their boat, even large scale marinas can be brought up to ADA standards. With the modularity of EZ Dock, an ADA compliant boat dock can be designed to hold from just one boat, to however many you desire. By meeting all the ADA guidelines, such as dock curbing and a low sloped gangway with handrails, all EZ Dock systems can become ADA compliant.

Needing to Make Your Public Dock ADA Accessible?

If you’re looking to design a new dock solution for your public waterfront, look no further than EZ Dock! Our dock sections can be configured to any shape or size, and they’re built to last. You’ll never have any maintenance worries such as rotting, splintering, or rusting with our durable polyethylene dock sections. Our team of experts will work with you to design the best solution to give everyone access to the water. We’ve worked with several local governments, state parks, municipalities, and commercial designs. If you’re interested in getting more people out on you water, feel free to contact us today!

The Different Types of Docks

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For a lot of people, a dock is just what is used to walk out on the water and do whatever activity is planned. So if the time ever comes for them to own their own dock, they are pretty much clueless on the right type of dock for their body of water. Picking the right type of dock is a decision that is left to many factors such as water fluctuation, climate, water depth, and many others. If you purchase a dock that isn’t recommended for your water, you’ll end up unhappy quick whether it is due to stability or maintenance issues.

Types of Docks

There are several types of docks that all work great for their intended use. The two main types of docks are floating and stationary. A floating dock will adjust with the water levels as they rise and lower, while a stationary dock is built to remain in a fixed position. There are other types of docks that are sub-categories of the main two, such as boathouses and modular dock systems such as EZ Dock. While this can make the decision a little more complex, the choice really depends on the water level. Determine if your body of water fluctuates or remains level, then base your decision from there.

Floating Docks

If your water depth is over 10′ Feet, you will need a floating dock. More than likely the water is too deep for pilings to be installed, and the water probably fluctuates often. If a stationary dock is installed in water that is too deep, the water will push the dock in when a wave crashes in or snow melts and quickly bend and twist the frame. There are many options available when designing a floating dock, such as wood, aluminum, or steel. The best long term options are steel and aluminum. Floats are attached to the bottom of the frame to keep the dock floating. Decking includes many options as well, such as aluminum, PVC, composite, wood, concrete, or Thru-Flow. For stability, concrete is the most durable and stable option. The only decking not recommended is wood, due to rotting other option will last a much longer time.

Custom Steel Floating Dock

Modular Docks

If you’re looking for the easiest dock solution, a modular dock system such as EZ Dock will be best for you! With modular docks, you’re able to design your dock to any shape or size you want, and have the ability to add more over time. EZ Dock is a floating dock system. It’s as durable as steel docks due to the solid 3/4″ thick construction, meaning it can handle anything mother nature throws at it. The best feature of EZ Dock is the lack of maintenance. With EZ Dock, you’ll never have to worry about rotting, rusting, or splintering. Just simply get out on the water and have a great time!

Stationary Docks

Stationary docks are built on top of pilings that have been driven and fixed into the body of water’s floor. For small ponds, lakes, and rivers this is the best option for residential docks because it won’t require maintenance or upkeep, and will be left alone year-round. As stated earlier, a stationary dock requires water that doesn’t rise or lower. Regions with a lot of snow aren’t recommended because as snow melts, it will push the pilings apart which can also crunch the dock’s decking and frames.

Boathouses

With any kind of dock, it’s possible to build a permanent fixture to give you a home on the water. A boathouse will give you a place to store your boat, as well as having a place you could live out of if you wanted to. Boathouses are usually located on open water, such as a river, but can be built anywhere. Boathouses can be equipped with any fixture you’d have in a house, such as a kitchen, bar, lounge, and more.

Designing a dock is a complicated task that is best handled by the experts. If you’re interested in a new dock, feel free to contact us to request a free quote, and our team with over 30 years of experience will reach out and help you design the dock that will perfectly fit your needs.

How to Design Your Perfect Dock Layout

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Picking the right layout for your dock that will fit all your needs is a difficult challenge. When purchasing a new dock, you’ll want to begin with knowing what you’ll use the dock for. Is it a dock used for storing your boat? Or is it just going to be a fishing and swimming platform? These are the things you’ll need to know before you begin to layout your dock. Luckily with EZ Dock, your needs will be covered no matter what application you intend to use your dock for.

How to Choose the Right Dock Layout

When picking your dock layout, the first thing you’ll want to consider is the size. You’ll want to know the general area of the dock, meaning the length and width that will fit the space you have in the water. You’ll also need to know how far out you will want your dock to be in the water, which will be determined by the size of gangway you select. If you have any restrictions on how far out in the water your dock can be, you’ll want to make sure you fall within those limits. If you own any boats or personal watercraft, then request that your dock has the proper amount of slips to accommodate storing those. Determining the size and shape your dock will be is most important aspect of planning.

Swim Platform

Features and Accessories

After considering what your dock will look like, also plan what features you may want to go with it. If you want your dock to be used for swimming, you may consider adding a swim ladder. For fishing, adding a outer railing may give some comfort and protection. A bench can be added for allowing your dock some leisure. There are many other accessories you can add to your dock to help improve the use you get out of it. These accessories include dock boxes, boat bumpers, solar lights, fish cleaning stations, and more. Speak with your local EZ Dock dealer or browse our latest catalogs here if you’re interested in learning more about accessories.

Plan Your Installation

When you’ve finalized your dock design, it’s time for it to get purchased and put into the water. You’ll first have to decide if you want the dock professional installed, which is always our recommendation, or to do it yourself. A professional installation is always guaranteed by our expert team to be high quality and of working order. Our team will decide what anchoring method best fits your body of water. Anchoring is an overlooked aspect of the design process, generally because the hard planning of the layout is already over. However, anchoring is one of the most important because you want your dock to be steady and secure for many years to come. With EZ Dock, the easiness of installation can be completed by anyone that has basic construction skills such as using an impact, drill, and pipe wrench. The hardest part of self-installations is getting the heavy dock sections into the water, which will generally require a extra set of hands or two. After installation is complete, it’s time to get out and enjoy the water!

Build the Perfect Dock that Fits Your Needs with EZ Dock

There are many options you can go with when choosing the material your dock will be constructed out of. The most reliable, easy-to-use choice is with the modular dock sections of EZ Dock! With EZ Dock, you have a dock that is as durable as any other material such as steel, with the added bonus of versatility. Your dock has the ability to be expanded on to at any time with EZ Dock sections, which gives you the flexibility of designing your dock in phases to save on costs. If you’re interested in purchasing a new dock, request a free quote today and our team of experts will contact you shortly to decide what you need. You can also give us a call at (800) 654-8168.

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Can I Install My Dock Myself?

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Getting a new dock is a great feeling. Getting out on the water with friends and family is one of the best ways to spend your day in the summer time. For new dock owners, being able to enjoy the water is a spectacular new experience. While all the new fun is great, the cost that comes with getting a new dock installed isn’t good for your wallet. Along with the cost of the dock, there usually comes a charge for installation that can be a couple thousand dollars. Fortunately, EZ Dock is one of the easiest dock solutions available.

Two Men Launching from the EZ Kayak Launch

How Do I Install EZ Dock Myself?

The best feature that EZ Dock offers is right in the name… It’s Easy! This isn’t just talking about owning a worry-free dock, but the entire process from start to finish. EZ Dock is very Do-It-Yourself, generally just requiring the help of another person. All you need is a little bit of muscle and you’ll be enjoying your dock in no time!

The hardest part of the EZ Dock installation process is generally just getting your EZ Dock product into the water. This is where having an extra hand is required. Once you start getting pieces in, simply connect them with EZ Dock’s coupler system, which is hooked into the pockets of the dock section. This requires an EZ Dock Installation Tool and Coupler Socket, both of which can be purchased from your local EZ Dock dealer. Once the coupler has been hooked and pulled up through the connecting pockets, use a 15/16″ socket on an impact driver to use the coupler drive tool to tighten the couplers together.

After the dock has been put together, all that’s left to do is install the gangway and anchor the dock. Gangway installation is as easy as anything else in the process. Your local EZ Dock dealer will sell you a gangway hinge kit, which attaches into the pockets of the dock and onto the gangway. This will allow the gangway to raise and lower with the dock as water levels fluctuate. Anchoring is the final step in the installation process. For most DIY methods, this is typically going to be galvanized steel pipe. It can be pounded down into the ground with a post driver, or driven into the ground with an auger on the bottom and a pipe wrench if the bottom of the water is soft enough. After that, it’s simply time to relax and enjoy the waterfront knowing that you’ll never have another headache due to your dock.

Can I Install Other EZ Dock Products Myself Too?

The short answer is Yes! Other EZ Dock products such as EZ Ports, EZ BoatPorts, and EZ Kayak Launches are all just as easy to install. These products can be attached to any existing dock, such as floating or stationary, or to any EZ Dock. Attaching to a preexisting dock is a simple process that just requires an EZ Dock Floating Dock Hinge Kit (Part Number #100700). This hinge hooks one side into the pockets of the dock or port, and the other side is bolted to the side board on the other dock. This installation process is much simpler than installing other types of lifts that require leveling and proper construction to work correctly.

Should I Install My Own Dock?

Installing a dock is always best left to the professionals, but if possible installing on your own will save you time, money, and will probably leave you feeling more satisfied that you got to build and watch your own creation go in the water. All that’s required is your screwdrivers, impacts, pipe wrench, and installation tools from EZ Dock. If you are interested in learning more about EZ Dock or the installation process, feel free to browse our products, or request a quote and our team of experts will reach out to you to best determine your needs.

Request A Quote

Why Choose EZ Dock?

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The process of buying a new dock can be very exhausting. There are so many options to chose from that not knowing the right dock system for your body of water could result in a disaster. Unfortunately, the process doesn’t get easier after having a new dock installed either because in order to keep the dock in good condition it must be properly maintained. This can lead to many headaches. Fortunately, EZ Dock makes owning a dock worry-free, meaning getting out on the water has never been easier!

Benefits of Owning EZ Dock

There are many benefits to owning an EZ Dock system, so today we’ll focus on a few of the big ones. EZ Dock is versatile, durable, and worry-free. It has the ability to be shaped into any way you want, making sure that it will fit your needs. It can withstand the beatings that mother nature throws at it, so it will always be ready to use the next time you walk out on the dock. Owning EZ Dock is a great waterfront investment that will provide a lifetime of happiness.

Versatile

EZ Dock’s modular dock sections are the most versatile dock on the market today. Other docks such as wood or steel generally come pre-configured into a specific shape and size. EZ Dock allows for the owner to shape and adapt it to any size they want. Think of building bricks many children play with and own. The great thing about EZ Dock is you don’t have to start with the huge dock system you hope to one day own. You can start with just a single dock section if you wanted. EZ Dock allows for easy expansion in the future, where as other docks will require heavy modifications that could be costly.

Durable

Constructed out of 3/4″ thick High Density Polyethylene, EZ Dock is designed to handle anything that is thrown at it. It is designed to rise and lower with the water levels, meaning it can be left in year round. EZ Dock has withstood harsh snow falls and the viscous winds of tropical storms. Never worry about a frame snapping and warping, or bolts breaking with the EZ Dock innovative coupler system. They have even held together when one end of a dock was lifted up by a crane!

Worry-Free

With EZ Dock, you never have to worry about the maintenance and upkeep of owning any other kind of dock. With the HDPE construction, you won’t worry about any rotting or splintering. You’ll also not have to worry about the steel frame or bolts that hold the dock together. The built-in slip-resistant decking texture won’t need replaced or repainted in a matter of years. You’ll simply be able to walk out and start having fun.

As stated earlier, owning an EZ Dock system is one of the best investments you will make for your waterfront property. It is designed to be the last dock you’ll ever need. It is easily shaped to whatever layout perfectly fits your needs. If you’d like to learn more about EZ Dock, feel free to request a quote from our team of experts. We will work with you to do design a dock that will fit all of your needs and leave you satisfied.