What’s better than being out on the lake with friends and family?
Do you need a boat dock that can provide years of fun and function for your family?
Aluminum boat docks are very low maintenance. Even though they’ll rarely need your attention, the sturdiest docks still require a lot of work to stand up to intense storms, heat, and high winds here in the Midwest. Protect your investment with regular inspections and maintenance!
Here’s what we recommend:
- If you leave your dock in year-round, you should perform a maintenance check in the spring before you tie up a boat or host a fishing party. Look for obvious signs of damage and corrosion before you attempt to use your dock recreationally.
- Lake levels (especially on the Great Lakes) can fluctuate several inches year to year. Water levels change based on rain patterns or land use near your lake. You never want waves to come over the top of your dock, so check your platform height from the water and modify the leg heights as needed.
- Ice can put a lot of twist pressure on structures, so be sure to inspect the welds and seams. If you do find a cracked weld, you can order a replacement for that section. Check to see if your dock stayed level. You might choose to have it ramped up a bit from the shore or seawall, but it should be as level as possible. You can use a carpenter’s level or you can just measure from the deck to the water surface.
- Your aluminum dock will not rust, but it can get dirty. Aluminum docks also get their fair share of algae, dead worms, and general lake gunk. It’s a good idea to clean your dock at least once a year.
Get an Aluminum Boat Dock that Will Last
A few hours work in the spring will give you a whole long summer and fall of no-worry recreation on the water. With a little attention, your aluminum boat dock will outlast your boat.
Before you purchase a boat dock, you probably have a few questions. Here are the most common questions we get from customers:
Q: Do Aluminum docks get hot?
A: We anodize the dock sections and stringers. Anodized Aluminum is the coolest dock we sell. Mill finished aluminum docks offered by other dock companies will turn dark and get very hot. Alumi-Span does not offer mill finished aluminum on our dock sections.
Q: Can I rebuild my old aluminum framed dock sections?
A: You can rebuild your old aluminum dock sections. We sell treated pine and stained cedar panels to replace worn out wood dock sections. Our unique interlocking aluminum board design also allows you to replace old wooden sections with cool anodized aluminum decking.
Q: Can I order your products online?
A: Everything we have on the website is available for purchase. All dock parts, poles, and accessories under 8 feet can be shipped UPS and can be purchased in our online store. Dock sections cannot be purchased online, so please call us directly for section prices. If you are trying to purchase a complete dock system, call us directly for a quote.
Find out why your friends and neighbors have been enjoying Alumi-Span aluminum boat docks for more than 50 years! Try out our dock design tool online, or give us a call to start your dock project. We can’t wait to help you get out on the water this summer! Contact us today.