Calculating how many dock floats you actually need to keep your dock afloat can be tricky–it’s not as simple as just tossing a few underneath and calling it a day.
At Carolina Waterworks, Inc., we’ve supplied numerous water and boat enthusiasts with the right supplies to build premium boat docks over the years. Keep reading to get our guidance on that crucial floatation calculation!
What goes into determining the magic number of dock floats for your project? It’s not just about the dock size, although that’s definitely a significant component.
Think about the weight of your decking materials, any permanently attached equipment or accessories you plan to add, and even the foot traffic you think your dock will get.
You will also want to consider usage type and environmental conditions. What are you using your dock for? Recreational activities? Heavy-duty commercial use? Also, a high-wave area vs. a calm freshwater lake, for example, demands a more robust dock float.
It’s a good idea to overestimate your needs to get the weight you need your dock to support.
What exactly is dead load? In simple terms, it’s the weight of the dock structure itself, including the decking, framing, and any permanent fixtures like benches or cleats. This weight remains constant and doesn’t change based on how the dock is used.
Live load, on the other hand, refers to the weight of anything that’s not permanently attached to the dock, like people, furniture, or equipment. This load can vary depending on how many people are on the dock and what they’re doing.
To figure out exactly how much flotation you’ll need, you’ll want to calculate the dead load of your dock based on the materials you’re using.
That means taking into account the dead weight of your decking, framing, and any permanent fixtures like benches or cleats.
Estimating the live load is a bit trickier, as it depends on how you plan to use your dock. A good rule of thumb is allowing 30-50 pounds per square foot of live load, depending on the intended use.
For example, a residential dock mainly used for lounging and fishing might only need a 30-pound per square foot live load estimate. But if you plan on hosting large gatherings or using heavy-duty equipment on your swim dock, you’ll want to bump that estimate up to 50 pounds per square foot.
In simple terms, buoyant force is the upward force exerted by water on an object that’s partially or fully submerged. For your dock to float, the buoyant force provided by the boat dock floats needs to be equal to or greater than the total weight or load of the dock.
The buoyant force is determined by the volume of water displaced by the dock floats, which is why choosing the right size and number of floats is essential.
Alright, it’s time to put all this information together and figure out exactly how many dock floats you need to build a dock that’s safe, stable, and ready for all your waterfront adventures. We’ve got a simplified dock float calculation process you can use to figure out what you need!
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to calculating the number and quantity of dock floats you’ll need:
Let’s walk through an example calculation for a 10′ x 12′ dock with composite decking. We assume a live load estimate of 40 lbs per square foot and a 470 lb lift capacity.
And there you have it!
After determining your flotation needs, the next step is to determine what type of dock float is best for your environment.
The two main types of dock floats are air-filled and foam-filled.
If you decide you only need to replace part of your dock, extend it, or add more stability, air-filled dock floats will do the trick. They’re generally lighter than foam-filled, so they offer flexibility in installation for projects like extending an existing dock. They also tend to be cost-effective.
If you are building an entirely new structure, you’ll likely want to start with foam-filled floats. They may be slightly more of an investment upfront, but they are sturdier.
Selecting the ideal dock floats for your waterfront involves considering a variety of key factors designed to ensure durability, safety, and suitability to your specific needs, including:
The dock floats from Carolina Waterworks, Inc., are designed for easy installation and offer the highest lift capacity in the industry, making them perfect for avid boaters, marina operators, and waterfront residents alike. Made with a durable, thick-walled polyethylene shell and encapsulating high-density expanded polystyrene, our floats are impact-resistant, marine-life proof, and environmentally friendly. We offer a diverse range of lift capacities and sizes to perfectly fit any boat or dock, from small to large. Additionally, our dock floats exceed the industry standard wall thickness of .150″, boasting the top buoyancy ratings on the market.
Remember, proper support and stability are critical to a successful dock, so don’t skimp on the floats. With the correct number and size of floats in place, you can rest easy knowing your dock will be safe, sturdy, and ready for all your waterfront adventures.
Give us a call today, and our capable team will assist you with all your waterfront needs, from dock ramps to marine hardware to flotation, buoys, and so much more!
Tags: floating dock, dock floats
Carolina Waterworks is a quality manufacturer of dock floats, commercial/residential gangways, floating docks, buoys, and Safe Haven drive-on boat and jet ski lifts.
We are a privately owned company with over 30 years of experience in the marine industry.
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