What Type Of Dock Do I need?
If you are anything like most of our clients, you are looking for the best type of dock to fit the unique demands of your waterfront. Below is an overview of minimum suggested requirements and general maintenance required to get full satisfaction from your purchase. We hope it will make your final decision easier by saving you time and money.
Leisure Series Dock Systems from On the Water Designs are the ultimate solution for Do-It-Yourselfers. Each frame bolts together meaning a full system can be picked up in a pick-up truck or a minivan. Each system is designed to be modular so you can expand & modify your dock design any time you choose. If you like the look of the leisure series products but don’t want to build it yourself we offer assembly, delivery & installation services.
Designer Series Dock Systems are designed using welded frames to give us maximum flexibility when designing your dock system. With a variety of standard sizes, and the ability to custom design anything special, Designer Series Docks are sure to suit your needs. Delivery & Installation services are available for any of these systems.
Pole Docks
Available as: 
Pole Docks are the least expensive docking solution. Their light-weight design and easy assembly will reduce your install and removal crew requirements. Your kids will thank you!!!
- Suitable for water depths up to 6ft. In general you want the width of the dock to be greater than the depth of the water to ensure stability
- Dock is extremely stable.
- Lake bed should be reasonably firm. For mucky lake beds concrete pads can be put down for support.
- Does not need to be attached to shoreline
- Life expectancy of frame is 30+ years.
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Floating Docks
Available as:
Floating Docks are great in deep, or fluctuating water conditions. Floating docks feature our premium PermaFloats which allow the dock to be left in the ice for the winter under normal conditions which means set up and winterizing are quick and easy.
- Suitable in greater than 1’ water depths
- Ideal for lakes with large water level fluctuations.
- Shoreline ideally should be solid bed rock or a poured concrete shoreline base. They also can be fixed to an existing dock or shore deck.
- Not suitable for high wave action for it may prematurely wear the dock.
- Boat traffic and waves will affect its stability.
- Life expectancy of frame is 30+ years.
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Tower Docks
Available as: 
Tower Docks save you from getting wet during the annual install and pull out. Designed to work like a drawbridge, they slip effortlessly into the water each spring, and stay safely above the ice in the winter.
- Best in water depths up to 6’.
- The lakebed should be reasonably firm. For mucky lake beds concrete pads can be put down for support.
- Not suitable for areas were the ice piles up onto the shore in the winter. Although the dock is hoisted for the winter the base may be subjected to ice damage.
- Cannot be adjusted to water level changes
- Configurations must be symmetrical to allow for safe lifting
- Systems available up to 50’ long
- Shoreline should be solid bed rock, poured concrete or existing shore deck. As well, there must be a concrete or suitable winch anchoring point a minimum of 13ft feet back from the lift tower, on an elevation of no more 11ft.
- Docks are suitable for high wave action.
- Life expectancy of frame is 30+ years.
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Dock Comparison Summary
| Pole Dock | Tower Dock | Floating Dock | Swim Raft | |
| Suitable for shallow water application 1-6ft. | Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for medium water application 6-8ft. | No | No | Yes |
Yes |
| Suitable Type of Shoreline For installation? | Any | Solid Rock, Poured Concrete or Existing Deck Structure | Solid Rock, Poured Concrete or Existing Deck Structure | N/A |
| Necessary Shoreline Attachment Method | N/A | Shore Beam / Angle | Shore Beam / Angle or Starter Platform | N/A |
| Type of Anchoring required | None | Shoreline and Rear winch Anchoring Required | Shoreline anchoring & Concrete Weights | Concrete Weights |
| Suitable for Mucky/ Silt Lake Bed | Yes w/ Concrete pads | Yes w/ Concrete pads | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for Solid Rock Lake Bed | Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Suitable for Hard Sand Lake Bed | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| What is the Frame Life Expectancy | 30+ yrs | 30+yrs | 30+yrs | 20-25yrs |
| Can I transport this dock myself | Yes. Small Pickup, Minivan or Trailer | Yes. With proper trailer. Delivery recommended | Yes. With proper trailer. Delivery recommended | Yes if in kit form. Delivery Recommended otherwise |
| Do you offer delivery | Yes |
Yes | Yes |
Yes |
| Do you offer installa-tion | Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Who can install this dock system? | self/professional | self/professional | self/professional | self/professional |
| Dock Widths (LS= Leisure Series DS = Designer Series) |
LS = 5’ DS = 4’,6’,8’,10’ |
DS = 4’,6’,8’ | LS = 4’ DS = 4’,6’,8’,10’ |
LS = 8’ DS = 8’,10’,12 |
| Dock Lengths | LS = 10’ DS = 10’,15’,20’ |
DS = 20’,30’,40’,50’ | DS = 20’,30’,40’,50’ |
LS = 8’ DS = 8’,10’,12 |
| Custom Size Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dock Frame Weight | 50-250Lbs | 100-600Lbs | 200-1200Lbs | 200-800Lbs |
| Ramps | Available | Not Needed | Required | Not Needed |
| Ramp Sizes | Same as Dock | N/A | Same as Dock | N/A |
| Ramp Weight | 58Lbs | N/A | 120lbs and up | N/A |
| Main frame construction | Aluminum | Aluminum | LS = Galv. Steel DS = Aluminum |
LS = Cedar DS = Aluminum |
| Removal | Total Winter Re-moval | Decking Removed Dock Hoisted | Total Removal or Free Floating w/ Ramp removed | Total Removal or Free Floating |
| Hardware | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Warranty | 8 Years | 8 Years | 8 Years | 8 Years |
| Available Decking | 5/4” x 6” Western Cedar / Pastic / Aluminum | |||
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