Dock fit

[Trojan]

I need to fit my new dock with some type of bumpers. The dock is a fixed steel dock with wood bumper post that go from the bottom to 6 ft above the dock. Normal height of dock to boat is plus or minus one foot above or below the gunnel. I have 4x4s for post which are going to be changed to 4x6 post. I can have as much as a + or - four foot water level, an eight foot span. Currently I have no outer post to keep the boat off the dock. I need some type of protection for the hull. I can only tie to the dock posts. So the boat has a lot of movement. Very little wave movement if any. Any suggestions on a type of bumper arrangement and tie up. I would like to make or purchase something by next spring. It's got me stumped for the moment. I can't get an outer post until next winter.


BILL

 

[Boss Lady]

I would suggest large dual fenders with a 5-6' fender board lashed between them, do this for each post that is next to the boat. Taylor made products also has a fender specfically made to keep itself centered on pilings.

 

[rtrafford]

i'm not completely certain that i understand your layout, but let me toss this out there...

i rebuilt my dock recently in preparation for MissFit coming home. My piles were too short to accomodate the larger vessel's high caps.

i chose to sleeve the existing piles with 10 inch PVC pipe, purchased in 20 foot lengths. You could do the same and simply use the PVC to replace your 4x4's...

after they were installed i filled them with concrete and capped them with PVC caps. I finished them off with bolt-on fender boards and the outcome is very slick.

next up is Ipe planking.

 

[MikeP]

If I understand - you are looking for something to keep the hull off the finger - as fenders would? If so I fitted Taylor Made Dock Wheels at our marina and have been very happy with them. Three of them - fore/midway/aft - handle our 53 very well but you could add more of them for additional "comfort." http://www.boatcovers.cc/cgi-bin/catalog.pl?item_id=93

 

[REBrueckner]

Sounds like you have a fixed pier, not a floating dock or finger? And fixed 4 x 4 "posts" in lieu of pilings? I can't tell what the vertical rise and fall of tide is at your location.

I have only seen a limited number of solutions: outer pilings to hold your boat between them and the pier "posts" via lines, vertical rubber affixed to post pilings, fenders with fenderboards. The second solution is easiest since when arriving and departing there is no extra work. Outer pilings afford additional security and can be used in wind/storm conditions.

 

[MarioG]

Ask Ed Gaito (Egaito). I belive his company has a special type of bumper that is fixed to the dock and can take quite a beating.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Bill,

Please help me to understand the basic question. Is this YOUR private dock or is this someplace you are renting that does not allow modifications?

Is the issue the gunnell or the freeboard area just under the gunnell making contact above or below the dock "decking" or the tops of the steel posts"?

All the sugestions up to this point have potential but I'm not sure just exactly what applies.

Thanks,
Capt'n Bill

 

[Trojan]

The dock I share with the neighbor. Its made of H beams supported on 16 inch columns with sheet metal for decking. Attached to the dock are 4 x 4s and the boat just rubs on the post. I have a potential for a 8 foot variance in tide so the boat must be tied loose. I can cross tie the bow but not the stern. I don't like backing in but that may be a solution. If I can't rig up some type of bumper. I don't know how deep the water is at low water datum since I'm new to the dock. I purchased the area where the boat sits the dock is owned by the marina association and maintained by them. So I am limited to what I can do to the dock itself.


BILL

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

I would suggest large dual fenders with a 5-6' fender board lashed between them, do this for each post that is next to the boat.

Alright, alright. Why not apply this concept (above)? However at the bow flare suspend the fenders vertically to where the gunnell strikes them in the middle. Suspend the board (outboard of course) to the same level.

I would also suggest using a treated 2X8 or 2X10 heavier board, drill 6 small holes: 2 for suspending the board, and 2 each to secure the fenders also to the board. I think you want the heavier board with fenders lashed so that everything ALWAYS dangles and never for any reason gets pushed up above the gunnell level as she rides up and down with the tide..

Good Luck!

Capt'n Bill

"Im no fiskisisk, but I knows what matters".
Popeye

 

[Trojan]

OK Capt'n Bill. That sounds like a plan I can work with. I'm going to get some dock pole demension and make me up a sketch of what I need and have it ready for spring. As usual, there is someone here with a better mouse trap. Thanks for the help. I think that will work. I couldn't see the forest through the trees.



BILL