Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, please contact us. We will be more than happy to provide or clarify any information you need.
What is a floating Dock?
A Floating Dock is any dock system which has some form of floating device underneath it. We use HDPE pipe hand made to fit each dock. All docks can range in size and layouts. Floating docks are used where the water variation is usually more than 24” during the boating season or in depths that are over 4 feet. In order for a floating dock to be enjoyable it must be stable.
Stability is a combination of many factors such as length, width, height, low center of gravity, weight, and a stiff structurally rigid frame. Docks that are made of wood and float on long polyethylene plastic are very stable.
The ramp for floating docks needs to be long enough for a safe down angle that can adjust safely as water levels change. For example if there is a 2.5 foot drop from shore to the water a ramp of 10 feet would be safe and comfortable.
How long should I make my dock?
At Cottage Classic Docks, we have several section sizes and configurations available to fit your needs. To determine what size you need for your docking system, consider the following:
Property type: If you’re a residential dock owner, you have the freedom to choose as small or as large of a docking system as you want to fit all your boats and accessories. Commercial, industrial and governmental property owners have different guidelines and restrictions to work with, depending on the type of property.
Type of water: You can install a floating dock on a pond, river, lake, or ocean, but you must factor in the depth of the water before selecting your dock.
Lifestyle and budget: Consider who will use the dock and why. Will you be integrating a boat lift? Does it need to have enough space for entertaining or waterside recreation? What is your total budget? The answers to these questions will help you choose the best layout for you.
When we do a site visit, we will examine your shoreline and ask these questions to give the best recommendation for your needs.
Do I need a permit?
Every lake, town, city, and municipality has different By-Laws and allowance. It would be best if you check with you local by-law office to determine if a permit is required. However, you will need to know what you want to build prior to contacting your By-Law office. We will work with you to ensure the right information is provided.
The Ministry of Natural Resources may need to be contacted if you are doing any significant shore work.
How much weight can a floating dock support?
Our pontoons are rated at 95lbs/foot. On our smallest dock, an 8'x16' dock, there are 2 pontoons supporting the floating dock. This dock can support approximately 2,800 lbs. The weight of the wood and materials is approximately 500lbs. This means you can have up to 9 people that weigh 220lbs each on an 8'x16' Cottage Classic Dock.
How does my dock connect to my shoreline?
Every Cottage Classic Floating dock requires a connection to your shore. This can be completed with the purchase of a Cottage Classic Dock ramp that connects to your existing shore work, or we can build your new shore work for you. There are different ways to connect to the shore. We can connect to an existing crib dock, a shore platform, or even a boathouse.
What is shore work?
Shore work is exactly what is sounds like. It's the work that needs to be done at shore to connect your floating to the shore. If you already have existing shore work, we can can integrate your new floating dock and ramp seamlessly to your existing setup. However, if you do not have anything to connect to, we will be required to build something to connect to. Since every shoreline is different, a visit maybe be required to give a more accurate quote.