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roll in docks

H

hoxsey

Member
I'm going to put in a dock this year and am wondering about experiences with roll ins. My lot is at the mouth of a channel off our lake. Most of the folks in the channel have their docks in year round, no one on the lake proper does. Planning on a lift as well. I'm thinking it's probably best if I use a roll in dock to make spring and fall access to the lift easier. I'd like to have access to both sides of the boat as well.

I could build a U shaped dock for about $1000 I think, but it would make getting the lift in and out a pain and I'm not sure how well it would hold up to the ice at my location. Haven't been able to find a price online for roll ins. What do they run? Any preferences on manufacturers?
 
I'm going to put in a dock this year and am wondering about experiences with roll ins. My lot is at the mouth of a channel off our lake. Most of the folks in the channel have their docks in year round, no one on the lake proper does. Planning on a lift as well. I'm thinking it's probably best if I use a roll in dock to make spring and fall access to the lift easier. I'd like to have access to both sides of the boat as well.

I could build a U shaped dock for about $1000 I think, but it would make getting the lift in and out a pain and I'm not sure how well it would hold up to the ice at my location. Haven't been able to find a price online for roll ins. What do they run? Any preferences on manufacturers?
 
Roll in docks that'd I've delt with really don't work that well. I don't know if it was because of the length, 30 feet, but it is not easy. It usually takes 4 people to take out the dock. The wheels don't roll as good as they should, thus making you lift them instead of "rolling". It was made out of aluminum with removable planks. I would strongly suggest staying away from these type, plus they are expensive. If you can go with a cantilever, that seems like a good choice, then you don't need to take out. We have one of these on our lake, and seems to be fine. The only disadvantage is the length that you can go.

Kevin
 
On your lift, the <span class="ev_code_RED">only</span>type and brand I would consider would be a shorestation aluminum vertical lift, nothing compares to them IMO.
Your dock, I built all of my docks I have about 60' with 3 roll in sections.
I dont know what the ice movement or thickness is in your area, but where I'm at leaving them in year round is not an option, the ice movement would totally destroy docks and lifts.
 
Kevin - my buddy up on the channel has a cantilever from Michigan Lift that he's had in the water for about 3 years, says he's had no problems. I've read a few things here about the need to pull them. I have a 2100 pulsare so it should fit on a cantilever. Do you keep your dock in?

jgreen - I like the shorestations and the hewitts but ... CHING! why vertical over cantilever? ps thanks for the info on Dave, he's a very good guy and confirmed I was getting a good deal from Bob.
 
I personally don't have the cantilever dock system. A neighbor up north does have one, and leaves his down the entire year. As long as you don't get tons of snow, there should be no reason you need to lift the dock up. We still have the docks that have posts in the water. The only disadvantage of the cantilever docks is the cables that are anchored back.
 
I have to take my docks and shore lifts in and out every year, as the ice destroys stuff on my lake. I do the dock myself. I have 10 sections made of wood that are 4' by 10' and sit on poles with pads. A few hours to install, a few hours to remove. Once I get all 10 sections installed, I call someone to move my lift from the shore out 100' to the end section of dock in the freezing a$$ water. I give them about $65 to move the lift, which is worth it to me because I have a big heavy duty aluminum cantilever lift and the water is REAL cold when they're moving it. I'm always first in and last out on my lake.
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I'm in the same situation, I put them in real early and take them out just before freeze up.
My wife has been telling me for the last couple years, that we should hire it all out since we have a big bank to go down to the water, for 200.00 we can hire it all out, since it seems that all the friends are always "busy" when its time to put in or take out.
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