Aluminum Docks

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

So I always here about people considering aluminum docks I always ask one question why? Now sure the Aluminum docks offer Maintance free, and a modern look... But are they really worth the Money. When I started to think about revamping some of my dock I gave Aluminum some consideration. I came to one conclusion, unless I purchase a crank up, it wasn't worth.

Instead I continue to use wood constuction. I make the sections smaller 4 X 6 instead of 4 X 8... I make the floor boards removable... all in all I have reduced the wieght which was my concern. I Have a structure I can easily fix if something happens. I also couldn't beat the cost... (4) 2X6X8, about 8 decking boards and some strapping. Because I already have all the hardware for legs etc. I don't have that cost. All in all people really need to look back at wood, and realize that by changing things with ideas like removable floor boards, Pipe legs etc. you can reduce wieght and end up with an easy to remove system.... for way less money.....

The original post asked about 6 foot wide sections. That alone, from a weight perspective, makes a big difference. The 15 year warranty on mine was definitely a consideration. The biggest reason for me was the seasonal dock in/out procedure that dock companies get ridiculous money for. With the aluminum, I do it myself with my sons saving upwards of $700 per season for a dock my size and we can do it in less than an hour. There was a 3K difference in price at the time. It was worth it to me. This is the year I break even not having to pay an installer

[fatlazyless]

...used to hire three guys on the weekend to remove my dock....and it was a major pain finding people to do it....so I finally got smart and figured a way to remove it myself....w/ a 10' ramp built with 2x10's & a boat trailer winch attached to a very convenient tree trunk....even remove a 10'x10'x6' 450lb boat lift..

While one does not make any money by cutting expenses, at least you save....

So, how much would I be paying to say Center Harbor Dock or some other company to remove four 8' antique aluminum & wood sections and a big boat lift? I used to pay three guys $50 each, and now I do it alone... (?)

Here's a tragic but interesting side story from over ten years ago. One year, one of the helpers, a young 20-year old kid maybe from New Hampton, didn't return because during the winter, he killed himself in a car in a Florida residential garage by attaching a hose to the exhaust and routing it back through a window and into the car. At least, that's what the police decided is what happened. His dock removal buddy told me that it was probably most definately a drug related murder and the Florida local police just called it a suicide, with not much follow-up investigation.

After hearing about that, the wheels started to turn, and I started thinking about doing my dock removals by myself.....

......

Anyone from New Hampton remember his name.....a troubled kid.... There's not too much info on the net about NH suicides......nothing NH local on www.suicidememorialwall.com (what a creepy website) that I could find. Nothing better to do here......hmmmm.... on a cold & windy day, deep into the dead of winter.....ho-ho....

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

The original post asked about 6 foot wide sections. That alone, from a weight perspective, makes a big difference.

Missed the 6' wide part there.... well once again an option is to make smaller sections now we will move onto 6 X 6 sections.... To lighten them up once again you make the floor boards removable... and then you make the 2 center supports removable....using joist hangers I have found works excellent for this... once you have the frame in place you just drop the center supports in. I have done it even on my 4 X 6 sections with one center support. Once again it makes the sections just as light if not lighter then the Aluminum 10' sections, and the cost is considerable lower.

My reasoning for staying with wood is this... Although I know the Aluminum docks are nice, and I am not trying to say they are not worth the money... I don't weld Aluminum, so down the road when something breaks, I will have to find someone to weld it. As opposed to the wood, where I just pick up the supplies and make the quick change out. I of course am also handy and now have extra sections, so when I see one needs to be replaced I take my time over the summer and rebuild a spare section.

I am not try to sway people away from Aluminum, just putting it out there, that if designed right wooden docks are just as good of a solution.

[fatlazyless]

[QUOTE=LIforrelaxin;117885 ...weld Aluminum, so down the road when something breaks, I will have to find someone to weld it. [/QUOTE]

I have an old all-aluminum dock, maybe made in the 1950's or 1960's, and there's usually ways do make repairs without going to East Coast Welding-Gilford for a fancy-dancy heli-arc aluminum weld....such as galvanized mending plates from the hardware store and stainless screws....or a pressure treated wood repair rib underneath or something....probably not from Wal-Mart.....


A good place for scrounging aluminum dock hardware is out the back yard at M&M Marine Salvage, and the Meredith Transfer Station, conveniently located directly across the road from one another.

[Sunrise Point]

LI, I think that it was your suggestions a few years ago about separate dock sections and floor panels that we incorporated into our existing dock. It has made a huge difference in the weight and ease of removal. With the use of our existing hardware and some blemished 2x12's that were given to us, we were able to re-do most of the framing and make new cedar decking panels. The cost of materials was about $150.00.

You make a very valid point about repairs. I can repair our wood dock with my own tools and wood from the lumber yard.

I still dream of having an aluminum dock someday. There are a few used aluminum docks by Watermark available on Craig's list. I had been in touch with them about one of the docks, but since it was wider than our existing dock, they felt that a permit would be required.

Someday....

[BroadHopper]

Auminum docks are a big no no. A heavy wood dock on driven piles or on a hinge with a crank is the way to go. A 'newbie' up the street spent a lot of money putting in an aluminum dock and within a few years it was destroyed. He got smart and did what his neighbors did. Replace the aluminum with wood.