Any advice on roll out docks?

[Tom7227]

I'm in the market for a roll out dock. I haven't even begun to shop but I know there are folks out there who've done the big search and learned a lot. Can you give me some advice what to look for, where to look, and what to avoid?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Tom

[dukhntr]

Tom: I looked (about 5 years ago) all over the net for info about various aluminum roll-in docks. I did not look at any steel docks. Most of the info is out there on the company web sites. After my search, I decided to buy from a family owned company in North Branch, MN. I drove up there and looked at their stuff and found it to be comparable to most if not all of the other companies. Deciding factor for me was (all other things being equal)price. At the time, my dock was nearly $1K less than the local competitors. I bought a 32' with an "L" on the end. It has worked great, and no problems to date. When I bought mine, they loaned you a snowmobile trailer for the weekend to transport the dock to your site.

I liked their stuff enought that I bought a 3600# lift from the same company. Again, it was cheaper than other units I had seen.

Hope this helps.

dukhntr

[Walleye Guy]

I did the same comparison about 5 years ago. Went to the St. Paul boat show and looked at every dock manufacturer available. I came to a couple conclusions. Whatever you buy make sure the frame is made out of aluminum. To me it just doesn't make sense to put something (steel) that can rust into a lake.

The second thing I learned was the decking of the dock can make substantial difference in the price and also maintenance. I ended up buying aluminum decking. The aluminum decking does not get hot, requires no maintenance except for the occassional washing of bird droppings, and is very quiet. Fish love the shade it provides too. Like any roll in dock the vertical adjustment is very simple.

The dock I ended up buying was a Hewitt. 32 footer with 8 foot "L". This winter I puchased another 16 feet so I have more room to park boats, toys and lifts along side of the dock. I couldn't be more happy with this dock. They aren't cheap but you get what you pay for.

[MinnesotaBoatman]

Last year (after lake levels dropped) I purchased a 32 foot extension to my 32 foot L dock. Both are from Vibo and I am happy with the unit.

They are easy to roll in and pull out.

[Ray Esboldt]

We roll in 72 feet of dock all at once at my parent's home every spring. I believe the manufacturer is V-Dock out of Forest Lake. I like that dock: light, very adjustable, durable suface. I don't think my parents could have made a better choice for a dock that my brother and I can put in and take out.

[Northlander]

Check out Jay Soderbloom. He has been making docks a long time and has some very good prices. Tel him Northlander sent ya and your from FM and he will treat ya right. http://www.soderbloom.com

[bassNspear]

There is alot of dock companys out there, make sure that you get with someone that is going to take care of you. Remember, the best deal in the world is not the best deal if its not the right dock.

Questions, let me know, i can help out.

[Matt C]

Im going though the same thing. What I have discovered, viewing docks from Forest Lake to the Faribault and Mankato area... what type of surface you want and warranty. I've seen 1 year to 15 years. Price has not been that much of a difference either.

I had one place i visited...the sales lady didn't even leaver her desk, she said "docks are in back"!

Go with what feels right.

[minneman]

Do your homework too, My parents were shoping last year for a dock and went to 3-4 different places offering differing brand names.

they shopped for the same size, construction, and materials at each buisness.

there was over $3000 differnce between lowest and highest $$$ for an apples/apples comparison.

[BoxMN]

Also, on the steel versus alum, there are reasons to go steel. It is heavier, but on wind swept lakes heavier is better. Mine is steel, though my lake is small and not wind swept. I also have a hill, so I wish I had alum, though my dock came with the place when I bought it. So if you have nice flat area to roll it out, and it gets very wavey or windy I would not overlook the steel. You see more alum docks overturned than steel in wind storms, but there are also probably more alum docks out there now, so who knows... But if moving by hand, or you have a big slope, alum would be the choice obviously.

[GoFish4]

I would second Jay Soderbloom who is a sponsor. I know he has provided many dock in my area and stands behind what he sells. Give em a look.

[Tom7227]

I've spent hours on line and called 3 outfits. I have about 3 pages of just addresses and web sites. Now I have to learn about structure styles, aluminum vs plastic vs cedar, steel vs aluminum. I never knew there were so many options. Lucky thing is that it seems we have an abundance of quality outfits available here in Minnesota.

Keep funneling the advice as the ice is nearly out.