The vast majority of comparisons between roll-in docks and roller ramps begin with price differences or installation time. Both of those factors are important, there's no doubt, but neither of them really tells you whether you're going to be happy with your investment by year three. Is it really going to integrate with what you require?
Ultimately, what matters in this comparison is the composition of your lake bed. At the point where your system meets it, wheeled roll-in docks and roller ramps make completely different demands on the bottom, whether gravel, sand, or something else.
So how can you choose between these two options? What really matters?
Ultimately, the bottom decides
Usually, the total weight of your boat isn't the issue. The problem is the contact area. When you choose a roll-in dock, you're essentially choosing a piece of equipment that does not distribute its load across the bottom. Instead, it concentrates on a handful of points, like the legs the frame carries and the four wheels.
When you add some adults, a cooler, and the weight of the dock itself, these points press into a small footprint on firm ground. This is fine: the concentrated weight itself doesn't matter, but on soft ground it's an issue. Surfaces can quickly give way, making the roll-in dock unreliable.
What's interesting about this is that the same dock that behaves well on one shoreline doesn't always work as well on another just down the road. Even on the same lake, the materials that comprise the bottom can change.
Sandy and Gravel Bottoms
Sand and gravel bottoms are where roll-in docks shine. These are the conditions that most manufacturers design them for. Bottoms are firm enough for wheels to roll along them, and legs can take weight without sinking into the ground. The frame also stays level across all seasons, and you can set it up with just one or two people.
During the fall, the same things happen in reverse. You undock the unit and then roll it to a trailer or your transport.
Just a quick note: coarse rock and cobble are not the same as gravel. If you're trying to set up on fist-sized stones, these will jam the wheels and prevent the legs from doing their job. Exposed shores with real wave action, especially during peak season, can also cause sand to migrate and for the dock itself to become covered.
Muddy and silty bottoms
Muddy and silty bottoms are where conventional roll-in docks struggle. The first problem is that legs tend to drop an inch or two under the surface before they stop moving. Over time, one corner can appear to sit lower than another, making it more challenging to roll into the water.
Furthermore, removal is an issue. Roll-in docks that have spent many months settling into fine sediment don't come out clean. Suction is real, and it can be difficult to lift them off the ground. Any upward force you apply to the dock meets an equal and opposite suction force from the silt or mud that the person or tool trying to lift it must overcome.
Another issue is weeds growing around the roll-in dock. Many muddy, silty bottoms are fertile ground, so organic matter can damage units and make them harder to free over time.
We want to point out, though, that none of this makes roll-in docks unusable on soft bottoms. Many people still run them, but it's often more work than it's worth to maintain them over time, especially if you plan on leaving them in the same position for several months.
Why roller ramps are the better option on soft bottoms
Fortunately, you don't need to compromise. It turns out roller ramps are a superior option on muddy and silty bottoms. This is because the load sits on the bank, not on the silty material itself.
Your boat's weight is the heaviest element in the equation, and it ends up on the shore, not on the lakebed. The fact that the track has in-water footprints means the loading phase is brief instead of continuous. This means your boat isn't spending several months pushing the dock down into silty or muddy ground. Instead, it's coming up onto the shore, and the lightweight roller ramp remains in place for convenience and flexibility.
There's another set of benefits as well. Boats stored on shore aren't sitting in weedy water that's attacking the hull. They're also not being punished by wind and wake from surrounding water.
The shore dock system can accommodate everything from jet skis and small fishing boats to 2,000-lb pontoons. We offer the Roll-N-Go Premium line, which is all aluminum and easy to assemble. Our Classic line also comes with all the hardware you need and our in-house pressure-treated timber. You get leg kits, ground anchor kits, extensions, and other elements you require.
Testing what type of dock system you need
Testing the type of dock system you need is easier than you might think. Don't try to guess at the type of bottom you have. Instead, wade out to roughly where your system would sit, and then push a length of rebar or a broom handle straight down into the material below.
If it stops within an inch or two, then you are in a firm area, and a roll-in dock might be okay. If it goes 6 inches to 1 foot before it firms up, then you are in a borderline region where a roller ramp is usually the safer call. If your test goes farther than 1 foot, or your feet keep sinking while you are in the water, you are on a soft bottom and definitely need a roller ramp.
So, which is best for you?
If your priority is to get in and out of a boat without feeling like you're in a fight for your life, then roller ramps are usually the best option. They work for most bottoms and are especially helpful for soft bottoms when you don't have strong support coming from underneath.