Welcome to the ShoreMaster Blog – Your Dockside Source for Lake Life Inspiration

Your dock is only as strong as the quality of its construction and the material it’s built from. It’s also the centerpiece of just about everything you do on the shore. After all, you will be walking on this dock and any accessories you have on it to access the water and your watercraft. It’s important to ensure that when purchasing or upgrading a dock system, you review the dock decking options and materials.

Your boat dock needs to be strong to stand up to the rigors of outdoor and waterfront life. This dock could potentially be in the water year-round, meaning it needs to stand up to the water, sun, weather patterns, mold and mildew, and other natural phenomena. Outside of that choice, there are many personal choices and priorities that need to be weighed, including how much maintenance work you’re willing to do, your budget, and the aesthetics and feel of your dock.

ShoreMaster has not only pioneered the aluminum boat dock, but we’ve seen many different boat docks in our decades in the waterfront industry. Here are our thoughts on different dock materials, including our favorite, welded aluminum.

You can still get to the water without a boat dock, but a boat dock makes the experience so much nicer. You can have your own personal getaway right on the water, attach some accessories to the perimeter that fit your lifestyle and hobbies, and give you a better place to put your boat than just tying it off to something on shore.

One of the biggest priorities you as a dock owner should have is the boat dock design, including the decking material. Since dock decking can make up 25 to 50% of the total cost of your boat dock, it’s worth making an investment that will last and that you’ll love for years. After all, this is what you’ll spend your summers walking, standing, and relaxing on—it’s important to make the best choice.

At ShoreMaster, we’ve seen docks made from an array of materials all across the quality spectrum. When choosing your system, such as an aluminum dock vs. wood dock, consider your priorities as a dock owner, get in touch with a local ShoreMaster dealer to have a more personalized conversation about your dream dock, and keep these three big options in mind.

Boat lift motors are the ultimate convenience for any waterfront property owner. If you have access to electricity at your dock, you can use a motor to raise and lower your boat into the water with the push of a button. Protecting your boat has never been so easy. To keep your boat lift in good working order, the motor needs proper care. Looking for signs of wear and following these boat lift maintenance tips will help extend the life of your boat lift motor, boat lift, and boat.

Adding a boat dock to your waterfront property is a great way to add to your home’s value. A dock is a natural addition and benefit of having a home on the water, not to mention that it adds a lot of convenience to your overall boating lifestyle. And if it’s time to sell your home and you aren’t taking your dock with you, you can leave it for the potential buyer to increase your asking price.
How much value are we talking about? It will depend on the location and condition of your home, the body of water you’re installing your dock on, and how well-maintained it is. The benefit could be as much as several thousand dollars above the cost of adding the dock. Here are the benefits of a waterfront home outfitted with a floating dock system.