Floating Boat Dock Systems
Versatile dock support for variable water levels
Floating docks are the adaptive solution for diverse shorelines and bodies of water. Our floating boat docks rest on tough sealed floats and can ride out large changes in water level and wakes with ease.
Each Flotation Systems dock is available as a floating dock. To cover a wide variety of shorelines and anchor point access, we offer the many floating dock systems listed below.
The choice between fixed and floating boat docks is a detailed and important one. Flotation Systems has dock anchoring systems for every body of water. From shallow to deep water, in strong currents or on placid lakes, we have a system engineered to provide unmatched support.
- Geographic location
- Water depth
- Water fluctuation
- Current
- Water traffic
- Weather conditions
- Legal requirements
Boat Dock Anchoring System Types
Choose a system from the list below to learn more
Cable and Winch Anchoring System with Swivel Pivot Adapter
A shore-anchored system using cables and a gangway to securely hold the floating dock. The dock is supported at three points—two shore anchors for the cables, and the gangway with swivel pivot adapter.
The gangway acts as a stiff-arm, providing center support that is strong yet flexible, thanks to our innovative swivel pivot. The pivot allows the gangway to move left, right, up, and down at the shore anchor point, providing solid support and reducing component stress.
Cables are attached to winches on the shore corners of the dock, limiting side motion and allowing for adjustability to changing conditions. Self-adjusting underwater anchors may be added to the water-side corners of the dock, for ultimate resistance to movement in heavy wind and high waves.
This system is ideal for permanent dock installations where water levels fluctuate yet the dock remains floating.
Cable and Winch Anchoring System with Wheel Jacks and T-Stake
Similar to the cable and winch with pivot adapter, this system exchanges the gangway pivot for wheel jacks and an anchoring t-stake.
The floating dock remains as solid as ever, with three anchoring points providing a firm hold. Wheel jacks allow this system to be used where gangway lengths are restricted while still allowing full movement of the dock. The T-stake provides a temporary anchor point for the gangway while the wheel jacks let the dock “chase” the water level, keeping the dock floating freely as water levels change. Self-adjusting underwater anchors may be added to the water-side corners of the dock, for ultimate resistance to movement in heavy wind and high waves.
Pole-and-Sleeve Anchoring
Pole-and-sleeve anchoring is ideal for rougher water conditions. Solid corner poles through aluminum sleeves provide stable support and restrict side-to-side boat dock movement. Sleeves are available in lengths from 6’ up to 10’ with longer sleeves providing a greater degree of lateral support.
Floating boat docks anchored with poles and sleeves adapt well to changing water levels with a maximum level of 15’. This system is not recommended for extremely deep water or widely fluctuating water levels.
Stand-Offs Anchoring
Similar to the stiff-arm/outrigger anchoring system, floating boat docks with stand-offs are held securely at the end of a shore-mounted arm. The stand-off system includes a winch and cable set-up, allowing you to raise the arms and move the dock to deeper water.
Stiff-Arm/Outrigger Anchoring
For narrow lots or water too deep for pole-and-sleeve anchoring, our stiff-arm system is ideal. It eliminates the need for cables, supporting the floating dock a fixed distance from shore on a strong outrigger arm.
Click here to see our fixed boat dock anchoring options.
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