BoardSafe Adaptive Fishing Dock & Kayak Launch—McNeely Lake Park, Louisville, KY
McNeely Lake Park, Louisville, Kentucky, one of the largest in the Metro Parks system, features a scenic 46-acre fishing lake with an accessible pier and boat ramp that are owned by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Korean War Memorial is also in the park.
BoardSafe Docks recently installed an adaptive fishing dock and kayak launch to make this popular lake accessible to all.
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Floating Aluminum Docks with Concrete Deck Panels by BoardSafe Docks
Ever innovating and improving their marine access products, BoardSafe Docks launches a new product: an aluminum floating dock with 8" wide and 2" thick pre-stressed concrete panels. The concrete is available in a natural concrete finish, woodgrain, exposed aggregate, or smooth finish. It can be stained with any number of standard options.
The rub rail is designed to keep boats from rubbing against the aluminum extrusion and causing damage to the boat.
This commercial product — the 50 Con series — is on a par with BoardSafe Docks' standard 50 series. The idea came to fruition as a result of a client request, as well as in response to rising prices for aluminum and other raw materials.
The concrete deck panels prove to be as durable as other commercial products. This particular dock has 16" of freeboard with no live load, and it weighs 23 pounds per square foot. BoardSafe can also manufacture floating docks with concrete decking and freeboard of 20", 24", and 28", based on the specifications designated by each client.
BoardSafe Docks is the trusted dock engineer and rowing center designer and manufacturer for top national rowing teams, as well as a trusted partner for smaller projects. Learn more at BoardSafeDocks.com.
What Length Gangway Provides Handicap Access for an ADA Floating Dock, Fishing Pier, or Adaptive Kayak Launch?
Many states, cities, and other government and nonprofit entities, are promoting safe water accessibility products for adaptive athletes and individuals living with a handicap. These include a range of products, like adaptive and accessible kayak launches, ADA fishing piers and floating docks, aluminum floating rowing docks, and more. As this new industry grows in popularity, there is much uncertainty about how to design and engineer products that truly accommodate all ages and abilities. BoardSafe has become the trusted expert to engineer, design, and manufacture accessibility products for those who are serious about ADA access for their community.
We often get asked, “What length gangway do I need for my dock project?” There are many site conditions that need to be considered before this question can be answered.
One of the most important considerations is the vertical dimension from the top of the floating dock to the connection point on land. The connection point may be a concrete foundation or fixed wood pier. It is important that this dimension be determined when the water is deemed at its lowest recorded daily average. This water elevation is referred to as “mean low water” (MLW).
The slope requirement for the gangway is also an important consideration. You will need to find out what regulations you are required to follow, such as those regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If your project is for commercial or public use, this is something that needs to be considered. If so, you will most likely need a gangway that provides either a 1/12 (8.3%) or 1/20 (5.0%) slope. Again, this needs to be clarified by your local permitting authority. If your project is a residential application, there may be no slope requirements you need to follow. We have, however, determined that a slope of 2.75/12, or 22.9%, is the maximum slope that is comfortable to walk up or down.
Another consideration is water depth. We manufacture our gangways with flotation added to the bottom of the gangway. The reason we do this is to ensure the weight of the gangway does not put an additional point load on the dock. Quite simply, we don’t want to sink the dock because of the gangway’s weight. As a rule of thumb, we require a minimum water depth of 18 inches at the end of the gangway. This dimension may be larger for longer, more heavy gangways.
To help you determine what length gangway you will need, we’ve developed a drawing showing key dimensions and definitions. Gangway length will be based on your specific site dimensions and dock freeboard (the dimension from the top of the water to the top of the dock — please reference sketch below).
It is important to understand that BoardSafe Docks manufactures its gangways to be attached to our floating docks, not to sit on top of them.
For assistance in designing, engineering, and ordering an aluminum gangway for your project, please complete the contact form or call us at 610-899-0286.
How to Calculate ADA Gangway Length to Provide Handicap Access for an ADA Floating Dock, Fishing Pier, or Adaptive Kayak Launch
Boating, paddling, and kayaking, have exploded in popularity as people of all ages and abilities seek new and exciting outdoor activities. Many community groups and government officials have taken notice of this trend and seek to open safe water access for all abilities — young and old, able-bodied and adaptive athletes. Some of the most popular accessibility products include adaptive kayak launches and accessible fishing piers that include many features that are considered Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant. Included in this compliance is the slope of the gangway when the user moves from land, across the threshold, and onto the gangway that has a modest slope or pitch leading to the floating dock, pier, or boat launch. The slope requirement for the gangway is an important consideration.
The first step to compliance is to find out what regulations you may be required to follow, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If your project is for commercial or public use, this is something that needs to be considered. If so, you will most likely need a gangway that provides either a 1/12 (8.3%) or 1/20 (5.0%) slope. Again, this needs to be clarified by your local permitting authority. If your project is a residential application, there may be no slope requirements you need to follow. We have, however, determined that a slope of 2.75/12, or 22.9%, is the maximum slope that is comfortable to walk up or down. Even if your floating dock project is not subject to ADA requirements, following these requirements and features will ensure that the maximum number of users can safely use the dock or launch.
The second consideration regarding the gangway dimensions after the slope is identified is to calculate the length of the aluminum gangway. Understanding all site conditions is imperative, including the vertical dimension from the top of the floating dock to the connection point on land. The connection point may be a concrete foundation or fixed wood pier. It is important that this dimension be determined when the water is deemed at its lowest recorded daily average. This water elevation is referred to as “mean low water” (MLW).
Another consideration is water depth. BoardSafe manufactures our gangways with flotation added to the bottom of the gangway. The reason we do this is to ensure the weight of the gangway does not put an additional point load on the dock. Quite simply, we don’t want to sink the dock because of the gangway’s weight. As a rule of thumb, we require a minimum water depth of 18 inches at the end of the gangway. This dimension may be larger for longer, more heavy gangways.
Refer to the charts below to estimate the gangway length based on two factors: Dimension “C” and the slope required for your project.
Typical Gangway Layout
Please note: Dimension “C” is determined by subtracting your dock’s freeboard (dimension “B”) from your overall height (dimension “A”) as shown on the layout below.
It is important to understand that BoardSafe Docks manufactures its gangways to be attached to our floating docks, not to sit on top of them. If your gangway sits on top of your floating dock, the slope and length may be different from what is shown on our charts above.
To help you determine what length gangway you will need, we’ve developed a drawing showing key dimensions and definitions, as well as charts showing gangway lengths based on your specific site dimensions and dock freeboard (the dimension from the top of the water to the top of the dock — please reference sketch below).
Please do not hesitate to contact BoardSafe Docks if you need assistance sizing the gangway for your project. Use the contact form or call our office at 610-899-0286.
Ken Ryno, BoardSafe Spokesman, Returns to the Water
There are some people we can never forget, regardless of how long it’s been since we’ve seen them.
Due to ill health, BoardSafe spokesman and accessible sports advocate Ken Ryno has been away from the water for about 18 months. On September 13, 2021, Ken not only returned to kayaking — he had the privilege of cutting the ribbon at the dedication of a BoardSafe ADA-accessible kayak launch at Lake Minsi in Northampton County, PA.
The ribbon-cutting dedication motivated Ken to ramp up his therapy and other means to get back into the water. This is a milestone for both Ken and Lake Minsi. "A dock that was just recently installed that provides adaptive features for people that are disabled to be able to get from their wheelchair into a kayak and back out again," said Scott Tihansky, with Boardsafe Docks.
Here is a video of Ken's excursion on the waters of Lake Minsi:
BoardSafe's Launch-in-a-Box Makes Adaptive Kayak Launch Installation Easier
BoardSafe's custom-designed and installed adaptive kayak launches make it easier for the adaptive athlete to enter and exit a kayak and enjoy the freedom of this popular water sport.
Now, BoardSafe has pioneered a concept that makes the installation process easier for the user and the user's community: Launch-in-a-Box.
One of the essential elements of any installation is the concrete foundation that provides the anchoring for the gangway / floating dock system. In a typical foundation installation, the ground must be excavated, a concrete form installed, and then poured. A few days later, the forms are stripped and then backfilled. This process can take days to complete and cost between four and five thousand dollars.
With BoardSafe’s innovative Launch-in-a-Box, the foundation arrives at your job site along with the entire dock system. All you have to do is excavate, set the precast foundation, and backfill. This process can take less than an hour to complete. There is no need for the customer to install a conventional foundation, and in most applications, the bulkhead mounting angle comes attached to the precast foundation, another time-saving benefit. This foundation option can cost as little as $2,500, a savings of up to 50% over conventional construction methods.
The following video of an adaptive installation in Oneida, Wisconsin, displays the ADA features of the Launch-in-a-Box. You will see the bulkhead mounting kit attached to the concrete, the gangway with toe kick, the 8' x 16' floating dock with toe kick, kayak launch, boarding bench, pull-out seat, roll cage with overhead grab bar (unique to BoardSafe), hand straps, and instruction sign with QR code that accesses an instructional video.
A few questions to consider
What size precast foundation do I need? The size of your concrete foundation will be determined by a number of factors: the length of the gangway, the size of the floating dock, and the geographical area of the installation. These are the most important factors that need to be evaluated before a recommendation can be made. To ensure that you are supplied with the correct-size precast foundation, we recommend that you contact our sales engineers for a free evaluation of your site conditions, as well as the dock system. In some areas, the recommended size of the foundation may need to be verified by a structural engineer, as well as local permitting agencies.
What if the bulkhead mounting kit isn’t installed on the foundation before arriving at my job site? In some cases, the foundation system may arrive in multiple sections, meaning the bulkhead angle will have to be attached by you in the field after the foundation block(s) is set. To help you better understand the installation process of the angle kit, we’ve developed an installation video detailing the entire process. Please note: All of the hardware shown in the video is included as part of the kit. You will, however, have to provide all of the tools referenced.
BoardSafe’s Kayak Launch for Paddleboards Serves Idaho
Below are images of the installation of a BoardSafe aluminum kayak launch in Sandpoint, Idaho, followed by a brief video demonstration. This particular launch is used for single-fin stand-up paddleboards. Stand-up paddleboarding is a rapidly-growing sport around the country, and BoardSafe engineers, builds, and installs launches and storage racks for paddleboards and kayaks.
For more information about our accessible, adaptive products, click here.
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BoardSafe Adds Unique Adaptive Launch on Ohio River, Manchester
The Village of Manchester, Ohio, on the Ohio River, has an existing floating wood dock that rises and falls with the river level. A wooden piling inserted through the dock "guides" the wooden dock during fluctuations.
The wooden dock provides protection from the force of the current because the BoardSafe ADA launch is downriver, blocked from the river flow and floating debris.
The old dock has a 20" freeboard, whereas the adaptive launch has a 16" freeboard. A lower freeboard means easier entry into the boat or kayak BoardSafe designed and installed a transitional ramp to go from the floating wooden pier to the floating adaptive dock and launch.
The new dock also features a bench rail, toe kick, handrails, and hand straps, and is suitable for stand-up paddleboard use.
View some photos of the installation below:
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BoardSafe Spokesman and Accessible Sports Advocate Ken Ryno Keeps Chugging Along
At the age of 17, Ken Ryno had a motorcycle accident that changed his life. It did not ruin his life, but changed it for the benefit of others.
Ken was told he would never walk again. For 23 years, this was true, but it did not stop him from trying. Long story short, Ken is now a spokesman for BoardSafe Docks, touting the benefits of our ADA-accessible launches, docks, and piers.
Read Ken's remarkable story here: tnonline.com/20210612/warmest-regards-little-engine-that-could-still-chugging/.
Links to our ADA-accessible products:
Adaptive Products
Accessible Kayak Launch
Adaptive Fishing Piers
Clip-a-Launch
Instructions for Using the BoardSafe Kayak Launch