The Floating Dock: A Platform for Year Round Fun

Life along the water provides opportunities for outdoor fun throughout the year. For a modest outlay of time and money, a floating dock will provide hours of enjoyment and recreation for the entire family.

(PRWEB) August 13, 2005 -- Many outdoor enthusiasts enjoy spending time on or near the water. Whether fishing, swimming, boating, or just relaxing by the shore, people of all ages find that being around the water is their favorite place for fun and relaxation.

Life along the river or lake brings with it a wealth of outdoor fun that spans the seasons. Summer finds the family enjoying a picnic, swimming, and boating. In autumn, duck and goose hunting, fishing, and canoeing are favorite sports. When winter sets in, ice fishing, ice boating and skating can provide fun for the entire family. As the weather warms and spring arrives, it is time for observing the arrival of migrating waterfowl, fishing, and simply enjoying the greening of the landscape from a water point of view. A floating dock can be an integral part of waterfront recreation year round, providing easy access to the waters edge and a platform from which to enjoy many activities.

The floating dock is the obvious answer to the question, "Where will I keep my boat?" A dock 16 ft. X 16 ft. square will accommodate several modest boats and provide safe footing when getting in or out of the boat, and unloading gear.

During the summer months, a floating dock with wooden gangway anchored right to shore can be a great place for a picnic table, umbrella, and a few chairs. With the breeze coming over the water, this can be a delightful place to enjoy that morning coffee or to read the evening paper while the sun goes down. Add a screened pavilion for protection from insects and a few candles for evening dining, and you have a lovely place to relax with family and friends. Another floating dock, anchored off shore, can be used as a swimming or fishing platform. Its a great place for teenagers to hang out with friends, with plenty of room to spread out beach towels or fishing gear. A canoe or skiff will make going back and forth easy and fun.    

As the days shorten and temperatures dip, recreation along the water changes, too. Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to observe migrating waterfowl up close and to view the colorful autumn foliage. For the hunter, a floating dock may be used as a raft on which to build a duck or goose blind. After the blind is erected on the raft and camouflaged with branches, it can be towed to a prime hunting location.    

During the colder months, the dock can be used as a staging area from which to enjoy ice skating, ice fishing, and ice boating. Most floating docks can be left in the water over the winter if anchored or chained securely to shore. Caution is advised to be sure that the ice is thick enough to support those getting on and off the dock. Of course, the dock can also be pulled up to the waters edge and used there as a safe platform for winter activities.

Years ago, floating docks were constructed with metal oil drums for flotation. Over time, the metal drums rusted, water seeped in, and flotation was compromised. We may remember those platforms as unstable or "tippy," unsafe, and not very attractive. By making the platform large enough, using appropriate materials, and following proven construction techniques, todays floating dock will be stable, attractive, and give many years of service. While initially 12 ft. X 12 ft. might seem large enough, by the time you have several children, adults, and sports equipment on the platform, there will be little room to move around without someone or something going over the edge. Also, the smaller the dock the "tippier" it will be. Instead, consider 16 ft. X 16 ft. or even larger. Using standard size lumber keeps waste to a minimum.

For reliable flotation, Styrofoam buoyancy billets are far superior to the oil drums of old. Light in weight and therefore easy to handle, Styrofoam buoyancy foam billets will provide dependable, long-lasting flotation with no rusting or water absorption. The size of the floating dock and amount of weight to be supported will determine the number of flotation billets needed; one cubic foot of Styrofoam buoyancy foam will support 55 lbs. A well-built dock can easily support several adults and some gear or outdoor furniture. At a Canadian fishing camp, a Beaver floatplane was tied to one of these docks, and the dock remained in place, even through periods of heavy wind, for several years.

Life along the water provides opportunities for outdoor fun throughout the year. For a modest outlay of time and money, a floating dock will provide hours of enjoyment and recreation for the entire family.

For instructions on how to build a floating dock and a list of materials, go to http://www.marinefoam.com.

A complete line of marine foam products is available from American Micro Industries, Inc. at http://www.marinefoam.com. You can order online or if you have questions please call

1-800-558-2058 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, ET or send us an email.

About American Micro Industries, Inc.

Since 1995, American Micro Industries, Inc. has been a fabricator and distributor of specialized products. American Micro Industries, Inc. is a privately held, veteran owned business located in the mid-Atlantic region of the US in South Central Pennsylvania, conveniently located within 200 miles of almost 40% of the US population. In addition to its Chambersburg headquarters, AMI has numerous shipping locations to provide the highest level of logistics. For more information, visit the AMI website at http://www.americanmicroinc.com .

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