www.iFourWinns.com

I am installing my new 3'x24' dock at ourcamp on a lake here in Maine. I made it from P.T. lumber and it will be set on the bottom not floating. My question to those who have docks where you keep your boat during the season, how do you protect it from dock damage? I have a bunch of new fenders but was wondering if its worth while to get the perimeter dock edge made of vinyl. I was also wondering about the height out of the water the deck should be and if I should extend the supports up so the rub rail of the boat can possible rub against that with a fender rather than lower on the hull. Id like to hear what others think on this subject...

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

First, if I haven't already said so, I LOVE your signature!

I'm not a dockowner, but having slipped our boat at dock facilities where the slip linings were either non-existant or in poor condition, I'll say that you absolutely need to line your dock and keep the lining maintained. The "P" vinyl extrusion lining I've seen seems to work pretty well.

The very best lining I've ever seen was on the dock owned by the family of my best friend when I was a kid. They had a cabin and a large, beautiful, covered dock at Lake of the Ozarks. The dock had a single covered slip with a 3' finger on one side, and a big platform for swimming, sunning, etc. on the other side with cleats along its edge also - so 3 boats could be tied up at once. Anyway - his dad was a volunteer fireman, and when he built the dock he lined all edges with discarded 3" fire hose. He attached it in a ribbon fashion, so that the fasteners were recessed and the boat couldn't possibly touch anything but hose. Fire hose has a tough, but relatively soft outer fabric covering over a heavy rubber inner hose - perfect to protect a boat and remain maintenance free for a VERY long time.

I doubt this is something that's widely available, but with a little effort you might be able to find it.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I think you mentioned the sig and its much appreciated, I didnt invent it i heard it someplace along the way.... I know a few Portland Fire fighters I could ask.....The P shaped stuff seems pretty alright and is okay priced Im just worried that a fender is going to ride up on me and my BRAND NEW BOAT will get beat up....

Side note: If you like fire arms and you havent, I suggest you invest in a full auto if your state allows it....its the next best thing to you know what.

Anyone else have thoughts on this? (the dock that is)

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

Actually I have a friend who is the lead trainer/swat 1st entry guy/etc. for one of the local PD's. We go and shoot on some of the police ranges around here and I get to shoot whatever f/a stuff I want without having to pay for it or insure it .

NRA Lifer...

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I have a place on a lake in NH. The only thing that really works is to keep the boat from hitting the dock in the first place. One of the best solutions to this is the whip/fishing pole like devices that hold the boat away from the dock while tied up.

The fire hose idea doesn't work. We tried that at my parents place when I was younger. The coating on the outside of the hose is coarser than it looks and scratches things.

That's interesting. My friend's family went through two different boats with the fire hose and never had a problem with it. It works for some folks.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

If it's your own place, that you plan to own for a while, you have a lot of options depending on your budget, room, and conditions. If you get a lot of boat traffic and/or wind that beats the boat up in the slip, the best thing to do would be to try to keep the boat off the dock as much as possible. My suggestions in order of best to least protection for your boat would be:

1) Lift System - Very expensive, but sweet! My cousin has this model on the South Shore of LI for his boat, and it is a real nice setup.

http://www.davitmaster.com/5_cradleLifts/aluminium.asp

2) Mooring Whips - Relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and really keeps the boat away from the dock. This would be my choice on a budget.

http://www.mooringwhipsales.com/mooring-whips.htm

3) If you are in a busy area or it is windy, at a minimum, I would either install a couple more pylons so you can secue the boat up on all 4 sides, or at a bare minimum, sink a mooring anchor across from the dock at about midships, so you can tie off a midship line to keep the boat off the dock.

Lastly, attached is a link to Overton's where you can check out several ideas.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... wse&aID=25

Meanwhile, the fire hose is good and is certainly better than rubbing up against a hard surface. Even the hard rubber or PVC systems used to line the dock will mark up your boat, and chew up your hull tape striping if you bang up against it enough. We have the fire hose set up at our marina and it works fine.

Good Luck. Post some pics as you are building the dock!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

Giaccamo - its much appreciated than you for the links. Where is your place in NH? I grew up in NH and spent some time on Bear island on Winnipsaki (sp) my aunt had a place up there.

As for fire hose I'd bet its not all equal in construction and as time has gone on I'm sure the materials have changed, its probably a matter of the right hose if you go that route....


You know guys its funny my old boat I just beached it never thought twice about it...drop 23 k on a new one and all of a sudden you care....go figure...

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

You're welcome. I think it is sullivanmar that has a place in NH, but having said that I used to live in Mass. and spent a lot of time boating on Lake Winnipesaukee. We used to launch in Meridith, and spend long weekends on the lake, usually camping out in a tent back in the 80's! I used to enjoy cruising thru the Weirs and then docking up and doing the waterpark thing. We also rafted up a lot at Braun Bay, and when I was feeling brave, I got a kick out of navigating thru the "Graveyard" which if I remember correctly is on the way to Moultonboro. It's really a Great Place for Boating! Take care and Good Luck with the dock!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

Oops your correct it was sullavanmar.....I missread too quickly. Thanks again for the advice.

_________________
Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

I'll second the notion of keeping your boat off the pier as the best solution. Sink another piling (or two) out away from the pier and use that to tie a line that pulls the boat away from the dock. Something like a line snubber can help by keeping the line taut but still allow enough give to let you pull it back to the pier for boarding. Then your fenders only get used when there's enough wind/wave action to really push the boat around.

Does the water freeze in the Winter? If so be forewarned about how ice can 'jack up' the pilings. Check with others nearby to get a consensus on what folks do to deal with the winter.

Both my floating deck 10x12 and this dock are made to be removed, I made it in 8' sections to be manageable....freeze it does.... the lake is still frozen and we are expecting 2-6 inches of snow tonight....

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

heheh...80s in Texas

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2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

Zip it Ifour.....lol

Hey it was sleeting in Austin the other night....in the 30's...lol

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

Finding a 'no rub' solution for mooring against a one sided dock is like inventing a squirrel proof bird feeder - much harder than it looks. Having tried a multitude of fenders and edge guards, I finally bit the bullet and bought a used Shore Station Boat lift. For my '88 Maxum 1600, a couple vertically mounted 4x4s seemed to work the best - the trick is to have them positioned such that the boat can't get between them, and high enough so no amount of 'wake' can lift the boat above them. It worked, but not well enough for the new Horizon 200. The lift will prevent the boat from banging against the dock, and keep the boat high and dry.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP