DESIGNING YOUR DOCK

Alumi-Span Docks are versatile.  With over 25 different deck sections and over 250 components and adaptors -in stock - we can quickly build a dock of almost any configuration.   In addition we can efficiently customize our products so that you get exactly what you require at a reasonable cost.

“F” – CHANNEL CONSTRUCTION

Our proven system features “F” shaped aluminum stringers into which various deck materials can be inserted.  These are in turn bolted to our 300C stringer brackets and to the leg sets that we refer to as Standard Assemblies.  Vinyl decks as well as all 4’ wood decks carry an additional aluminum center stringer on the underside of the deck.  All Aluminum deck boards are interlocked and do not require a center stringer.  The anodized side stringers protect the end of the dock material and are smooth to walk or sit on.  Since the whole Alumi-Span dock assembly is bolted together, augering can usually be eliminated, a key to easy installation. 

STANDARD ASSEMBLIES

Standard Assemblies consist of 1- cross-arm with 300C clamps, 2-uprights of any length w/ plastic caps, 2-stringer brackets, and a choice of 2-bottom plates or augers, in other words everything you normally need to hold up one section of dock.  Aluminum standard assemblies weigh only 11#-20# depending on upright length.  For very long legs or for extreme conditions we sometimes recommend heavier galvanized steel. Most people choose aluminum uprights because of the weight and also because they are better looking. 

DETERMINING YOUR UPRIGHT LENGTHS

Generally when using Bottom Plates on a firm lake bed, you add 2’ to the water depth to determine upright size.  This should provide adequate water clearance and still allow the upright to stick up about 8” above the top of the deck for putting bumpers on or throwing ropes.  With Augers, you add 3’ to the water depth.  This will allow about 1’ of upright (plus the auger) to be below the lake bed.  With Perma-Augers or Big Foot devices, you also add 3’ to the water depth.

“L” AND “T” LAYOUT

These are two of the most common layouts.  Note on the “L” that it takes only 3 legs and a 90 deg. cross-arm to turn a corner.  This same “L” could also be the last section of the dock allowing you to fish off of it while maintaining one straight side of the dock for parking a boat. 

The “T” layout allows you run sections out perpendicular to the main dock.  In a “T” layout each of these perpendicular deck sections stands independently from the other with no shared legs.  The two sections are held together by what we call a “T” connector.

The third illustration shows a 2^nd kind of “T” where you want the perpendicular dock to go out right where an upright is the way.  This is very much like the “L” in which you use a 90 deg. cross-arm and 3 legs at this junction.  No “T” connector is needed in this configuration.

        

PARTY PLATFORMS

Platforms can be designed in almost any size or shape simply by adding sections (largest to date – 1100 sq. ft.) As shown in the illustrations, there are 3 basic situations:

 Platforms that have sections parallel with the main dock (the easiest to assemble) can be added to the end of the dock increasing its length (note parallel dock sections cannot be added in the middle of the main dock.

 

Platforms where the sections are perpendicular to the main dock but do not add to the overall length may go out right or left at the very end or at any place in the middle of the main dock as shown.

Next are platforms where the sections are perpendicular to the main dock and add to the overall length.  In these illustrations we show one dock where the perpendicular platform has been added much like the “T” sections described above.  We also show a larger perpendicular platform where the middle structural member is a 90 deg. truss.  The truss will attach to an upright on the far end and 2 cross-arms located just under the last section of the main dock.  The third design shows virtually the same thing but instead of being centered, the platform is much like an “L” so that a boat lift can easily be parked on the straight section of the main dock.

The Gallery of Docks window shows several photos of recent dock designs.