A range of different dock designs exist that address different needs and serve various functions. Which one you’ll choose depends on what you want to use your dock for and where you want to put it. Whether you like to go boating or fishing, you can find the right dock plans for your favourite activities.

Dock Shapes

There are four main types of dock shapes and each has its advantages:

L Shape

The L shape is ideal for waterfront property owners who own several watercraft. For example, if you have a bowrider and a Stacer proline, the L-shaped dock is ideal for you. This is because it’s easy to navigate into or away from this dock shape. The dock can be constructed as long as the boater prefers to have it. This dock is also great for swimming or fishing off the side.

T Shape

This is practical on a smaller body of water as it is an ideal location to load and unload boat passengers. You can dock two boats in the T-shaped dock by extending its top portion. This can give you one large mooring section for a single boat and a space to store several smaller watercraft, such as a small aluminium boat.

U Shape

Watercraft owners who have top-quality boats and want to offer them the most protection often choose the U-shaped option. The boat sits in the middle of the two sides, separating it from other vessels in the water and preventing it from getting in contact with other boats as well. This dock shape is also efficient since you can store your other boating necessities and use either side of the dock to moor other watercraft as well.

Straight

The straight dock provides the most straightforward option (no pun intended). People who plan to spend a lot of time on the dock for activities and moor a lot of boats use this shape A straight dock also provides the least-expensive option because it has the simplest design. Everyone can enjoy long days playing by the water with this choice.

Types of Docks

Floating Docks

Floating docks are among the most common types of docks that you will see in waterways since they are the most convenient as they can be used in different types of water. These floating docks are secured tightly to the land to prevent them from floating away. Floating docks don’t have a framework that sinks to the bottom of the water so they can be used in deep waters.

Stationary Docks

Stationary docks are the opposite of the floating docks. These docks are firmly attached to the bottom of the water. These types of docks are built at a fixed height and can be improved in many different ways. Some attach roofs to these docks or build certain amenities into or on them such as benches or lampstands. These types of docks are suitable in bodies of water that usually have stable water levels. They are also great for mooring both small and big boats. From tinny boats to Wild Rider boats, you can surely moor it safely near the shore.

Combination Docks

A combination dock is a mix of floating and stationary docks. You can build a part of your dock as floating and the other part as stationary.

Lift-up Docks

Lift-up docks are the type of docks that stand up on legs. This is a dock that people build when they live near a body of water that freezes up and becomes ice during the winter season. The lift-up dock can be lifted up from its position when you need to so you can protect it from harsh weather elements.

Permanent Docks

Permanent docks are, as the name suggests, the type of dock that will stay for a long time. Decades even. This is because it is installed using steel pilings to connect the dock to the bottom of the water. A frame, either wood or concrete, is built on top of the steel pilings to make the dock sturdy. The downside to this type of dock is that it’s not too practical to build anywhere.