When it comes to non-fixed ways of enhancing your access to a boat or body of water, rolling and floating docks are two potential solutions.
A variety of factors may help to decide which is ultimately the best option for your property and needs. In this article, we will provide an overview of some of these considerations to help you make an informed decision.
What are rolling docks?
Rolling docks are a type of boat dock that comes with wheels. This helps to easily roll it in and out of the water when on a shoreline. It’s often used on properties for its ease of use, especially for seasonal installation and removal.
Where water levels are often fluctuating and unpredictable, a rolling dock can be useful to have available. The rolled dock ultimately helps to roll the dock onto the shore instead of it needing to be lifted fully out of the water.
Benefits of rolling docks
They’re simple to install and remove
Rolling docks are very easy to install, as well as to remove. Due to the wheeled design that’s provided with this type of dock, you simply wheel it in and wheel it out. That helps to eliminate the need for any complex installation or heavy machinery.
Helpful when adapting to changing water levels
It’s important to be mindful of how frequently water levels change near your property. One of the perks for using a rolling dock is that it’s adaptable to any change in water levels. As it’s not fixed, you can use it wherever it’s needed to get your boat in and out of the water.
Flexibility in design
With modular components used for this type of dock, you can customize the dock’s layout to fit the needs of your property and the waterfront conditions that are available. This flexibility makes for a great benefit. It also makes it suitable for any type of shoreline, especially for waterfront properties too.
Extremely portable and great for storage
When needing more portability with your dock requirements, rolling docks are perhaps one of the best options to choose from. Rolling docks are easily rolled onto land for storage, and that can save space on your property in general.
Minimal maintenance required
With rolling docks, there’s minimal maintenance required due to its durable construction and a design that’s simple and effective. With less maintenance required on your part, that means more enjoyment when using the dock itself.
Cost-effective
Compared to permanent dock systems in particular, rolling docks are often a more affordable option, particularly when being used for seasonal purposes.
What are floating docks?
Floating docks are a platform that’s supported underneath by a floating element. However, it’s usually joined to the shore via the use of an achor.
With these types of docks, you’ll typically find them being used in marinas, for example. There are a lot of variations that come with floating docks and you’ve got the ability to build it yourself or use kits that help to assemble it more easily.
Regardless, floating docks can be incredibly helpful for providing easy access to your boat and for use all year round for other activities.
Benefits of floating docks
Easy installation
Floating docks can be assembled and disassembled very easily, making them a great choice when it comes to seasonal use or at times, temporarily. For some homeowners, an easy installation when it comes to floating dock kits is important, especially if you’re not well-versed with DIY or want the hassle of complex building being done on your property.
Low maintenance
Most floating docks are made out of durable materials like high-density polyethylene, for example. These are resistant to rot, UV damage and corrosion, all of which can be very costly.
Customizable
With floating docks, they can be highly customizable, which is important when they’re likely to be a semi-permanent feature on the home’s property.
You can choose the shape, size, and layout that best fits what you’re after. There are also a lot of accessories that you can add to your dock in order to improve its appearance, accessibility, and its performance, no doubt.
Cost-effective
Floating docks are considered more cost-effective than most in the long run due to their durability and lack of maintenance needed. Not needing to maintain them means not having to spend money on them over time.
Adaptable to water levels
Finally, just like rolling docks, floating docks are also adaptable to water levels due to their floatation feature. That means the floating docks will always be the same height as your boat so that you have easy access no matter the level the water is at.
As a result, using these docks is particularly helpful if your nearest body of water is deep or has difficult bottom conditions.
How to choose between a rolling and floating dock
Think about location
If you have deep water conditions, then floating docks are the better choice. Additionally, your shoreline may determine whether there is even stability to support a rolling dock. However, both provide the functionality required if you need a dock that adapts to different water conditions and levels. Rolling docks in the right conditions, however, offer slightly more stability if fluctuating water levels are not a concern.
Installation costs and maintenance requirements
While both docks are non-fixed, rolling docks are typically easier to retract when not in use. This can be beneficial for having something that can be stored away from the elements more frequently. On the other hand, you need a place to store it as well.
Other considerations
Outside of logistics, you should ultimately determine what you most likely will use a dock for. If you want If all you need is an easy way to access your boat from the shore, you may not need a dock at all. A shoreline ramp may be a best suited alternative. However, if you want a place to park your boat easily while in the water, both rolling and floating docks offer a viable solution. These are not their only uses however. Fishing platforms, sitting areas over the water or just shoreline aesthetics are some of the other benefits of docks that may factor into your decision.