When it comes to priorities for boaters, having the right sort of dock comes in near the top. Dock varieties come in many flavors: wood, aluminum, steel, and even concrete and plastic. Whatever the material, the purpose of a dock is to create an artificial extension of the land to permit solid footing alongside water that is deep enough to secure and board a boat. Without it, a boater is at the whim of the shoreline.
In the freezing regions, lake cabin owners mark the beginning and end of the season by when the dock is in and out. As part of the support scene for all waterfront activities, the dock is the visual and functional hub at the water’s edge. We need these pedestrian walkways for our fun. Yet in spite of this recreational reliance on docks, few are enthused at the twice annual (for most of us) “messing with the dock.”