Fixed Dock Modifications

[Pyrojodge]

:grin:Hello All,

I Came up with this idea about 4 years ago and thought i'd share my little project. I boat in Lake erie and with the winds the water level where i am at can change 3 feet or more and i hated leaving my boat loose to smack the dock while i was gone so i came up with these gadgets... let me know what you think?

This one's a video of how the slide up and down>>> VVVVVVVV <<<<<

Thanks for looking...

 

[Bugsy24]

Very Cool adjustable Cleats!

 

[Two Peas]

Just curious - what do the guys who deal with tides do to solve their similar problems?

 

[Four Suns]

http://www.tideslide.com/

 

[Pyrojodge]

Thanks bugsy..
Two peas - I think it would be interesting to know but most I have seen have pilings as well to tie off... is this correct?

Four suns- I looked at tideslides but thought they wear flimsey looking and didn't like the plastic cleat. Mine are all stainless less one alum wear plate...
Have a great day,
Jason

 

[Gimme Time]

Anyone use pulleys and weights to keep the boat centered while allowing the boat to travel up & down with the tides?

 

[Pyrojodge]

Gimme Time - neat idea with the weights but would imagine it would make doing lines difficult trying to lift the weight and tie lines

Jason

 

[dicor]

Just curious - what do the guys who deal with tides do to solve their similar problems?

Spring lines....here's a good write up http://www.l-s-b-c.com/pdf/proper use of Spring Lines.pdf

The most important thing to remember is to be sure that when your cleats are at the same height of where you are tied, your boat should not be able to bounce off the pilings or finger pier.

The mechanical slide theoretically seems like a good idea but I would need to see it in action after a couple years and a few north easterners before committing. If it binds up and your boat hangs up during a storm you might be in big trouble.

 

[Pyrojodge]

Dicor- thanks for the write up... these slides are four years old and every thig is same as the day I installed except alum wear plate wich is a few thousanths thinner... last year we had a stron west wind for 3 or 4 days and the water level dropped 5 to 6 feet my boat was the only one in the marina that did not have to be retied... the marina owners are very good about checking our boats and keeping us informed they love the slides...

Jason

 

[Pyrojodge]

I went to the lake today to check on they boats since alot of my friends have not been up for awhile... this is what i found....

The water level came up 18 to 20 inches and my good friend next to me has a trawler and he has some dock rash and the 2x6 didnt stand up so well...

Another friend of mine had his boat get dammaged by the high wind and high water levels.

i dont know if you can tell but his rub rail is bent and he has flakes of his gel coat missing and lots of small stress cracks now... he will be upset when he finds out...

then my girl sitting at her slip rode out the storm with not even a scratch am very thankful i have my slides.. please i really want to know what you think about them... and if anyone would think about buying something like this...

thanks
Jason

 

[alwhite00]

I think they have slides like that in the west marine book. Looks like it works good.
LK

 

[Woody]

I went to the lake today to check on they boats since alot of my friends have not been up for awhile... this is what i found....

The water level came up 18 to 20 inches and my good friend next to me has a trawler and he has some dock rash and the 2x6 didnt stand up so well...

Another friend of mine had his boat get dammaged by the high wind and high water levels.

i dont know if you can tell but his rub rail is bent and he has flakes of his gel coat missing and lots of small stress cracks now... he will be upset when he finds out...

then my girl sitting at her slip rode out the storm with not even a scratch am very thankful i have my slides.. please i really want to know what you think about them... and if anyone would think about buying something like this...

thanks
Jason

I think the idea would sell but it seems you're not the first to have it, see Gary's link to Tide Slide.

 

[Pyrojodge]

Woody- I had looked at tide slides but didn't like the plastic cleates...

Jason