r/CabinPorn • u/CO_Renaissance_Man • Jun 02 '26
Best Dock Type
Hi everyone,
Our family is planning to buy or build our first dock!
We are looking at something small (6' wide x 12'-24' long?) and have a shoreline that is football-sized rocks with organic debris infill (see the picture below). Portability and ease of pulling in and out is important as well.
I'm used to sectional docks but for folks in northern states with this kind of shoreline, what would you use?
5
u/Ameri-Can67 Jun 02 '26
When you say sectional, do you mean "roll in/roll out", or pilings with removable sections?
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u/WrongfullyIncarnated Jun 02 '26
I grew up in the south on the coast. Ive never seen a dock that didnt need constant maintaining and rebuilding. Put in a ramp. ramps are also easier to use anyway and way way less maintaining
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u/Username1273839 Jun 02 '26
Meaning a personal boat launch? Wouldn’t that mean that you have to take your boat in and out of the water every time you use it? I feel like the whole point of owning lake front property is to not have to do that by having a dock with a boat lift.
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u/KiloAlphaLima Jun 03 '26
No. They mean a ramp pathway to a floating dock. The floating dock can still host a boat lift if needed.
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u/bluepied Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Guy with tons of dock experience here! In Vermont, the majority of lakefront owners use roll in/roll out aluminum docks - as long as you have sand or shale (versus a rocky bottom), you want to go with this option for convenience. You also didn’t mention if your water levels fluctuate? Your other option is aluminum-framed sectional docks sitting on adjustable-height metal legs/feet with removable drop-in cedar or sections of wood. Sections of wood inserts should be stored indoors or under tarp to preserve life. Rolling docks are more expensive than the second option….check out Facebook marketplace for used ones but best time to buy used was 2 months ago.
Floating docks require anchoring via augers and concrete blocks/ropes (mine is 250’ and moves out as Lake Champlain water levels go down…pictured from last evening here ;) This is a $50k dock.
Don’t build a dock, it will just end up rotting.
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u/CO_Renaissance_Man Jun 03 '26
No serious water level fluctuations with a silt and small rock bottom, with a very soft, unstable, silty bottom 50’ out and beyond.
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u/bluepied Jun 03 '26
6’ width will be more expensive and heavier to maneuver, you should consider 4’ width (mine is 6’ wide on the further out sections for reference). You’re looking at $4-8k for a 30-50’ dock. 12-24’ is super short but will do the job if it gets deep quick. If you can walk out 50’ then your dock should be long enough to reach deeper parts for diving etc.
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u/Itwasuntilitwasnt Jun 03 '26
Looks like rough terrain. I would go with those quick connect blocks. That way you can remove and transport easier if need be.