Minsi Lake Wilderness Area, PA, Proud of Their New ADA-Accessible Kayak Launch
Minsi Lake Wilderness Area is a 311-acre park, with hiking trails, picnic areas, woodlands, wetlands, and a 117-acre lake for public fishing and boating. Northampton County Parks & Recreation manages the parkland around the lake. Facilities include two paved boat launches, two parking lots, two picnic areas, and two trails. The park recently reopened after replacing, renovating, and rebuilding decades-old park amenities and infrastructure; building new recreation and park facilities; and making Minsi Lake an accessible recreation area for everyone throughout the region — opening up access to all of their community members, regardless of their physical abilities.
Of course, part of that renovation included three of BoardSafe’s innovative products. There is an ADA-accessible launch, as well as 2 ADA-accessible, 6' x 25' fishing piers. One pier is accessed by a 5' x 20' gangway, and the other by a 5' x 40' gangway.
This installation was featured on WFMZ, an Allentown, PA, news station, in this article and video.
Here are some pictures of the installation, followed by 2 recent videos:
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ADA-Accessible Kayak Launch for Shawnee, OK, Kayak Club
BoardSafe supplied the Pott County Kayak Club of Shawnee, Oklahoma, with an ADA-accessible kayak launch at Shawnee Twin Lakes. BoardSafe worked alongside the kayak club and a local contractor to have the kayak launch installed in late April, 2021. The 12ft x 20ft launch featured a 20ft-long access gangway direct-feed kayak chute to improve accessibility for adaptive paddlers. Our team at BoardSafe is thrilled to have assisted the Pott County Kayak Club and local community with supplying the adaptive kayak launch as one of their initial projects to build an ADA-compliant community park on the shores of Shawnee Twin Lakes.
Gulfport MS Blueway Gets 2 ADA-Compliant Launches
In partnership with Moran Hauling of Biloxi, MS, BoardSafe was selected by the City of Gulfport to provide two new ADA-compliant kayak launches for the Bernard Bayou Blueway.
The blueway is a meandering tidal waterway that offers a diversity of wildlife and a variety of dining and recreational opportunities. One of the launches was installed on the western side of the blueway near Gulfport Lake, while the second launch was installed on the eastern end near historic Handsboro. With the successful installation of these two new launches, paddlers can now navigate nearly the entire 10-mile length of the blueway and have ADA accessible entry and exit points at each end. Both launches used BoardSafe’s Clip-A-Launch, a bolt-on kayak chute that provides the customer with flexibility on positioning at a very competitive price.
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Why BoardSafe Floating Docks Are So Durable
Anyone who has spent time on the water—be it lake, river, bay, or ocean—knows that the water level is never really "smooth as glass." Of course, when unusual occurrences occur, such as storms and strong wakes from other boats, docks can be in danger of severe damage. It only makes sense that a floating dock that moves with the fluctuations is the safest solution.
BoardSafe floating docks and launches have proven themselves through downstream currents, as well as the rise and fall of rivers due to droughts, flooding, and other common fluctuations, and have even survived hurricane forces.
BoardSafe has engineered their floating docks in such a way that their basic design adapts to tidal basins, marshes, and harbors. The systems are built with multiple hinge points at the bulkhead and other stability mechanisms.
BoardSafe will evaluate the use of your docks, foot traffic, marina traffic, and the ability of the floating dock to meet your requirements. BoardSafe will run proprietary calculations based on dock size, usage, and water environment, to determine buoyancy requirements to maximize the stability of the dock, including the size, number, and placement of flotation components.
Here are some links that showcase the installation and use of BoardSafe floating docks and launches in bays, marshes, and harbors:
- Cooper River Park, NJ, Installs Gangway and Rowing Dock
- ADA Accessible Kayak Boat Launch Installed at 5 Rivers State Park in Alabama
- BoardSafe Docks Used in Residential Project on Texas Gulf Coast
- Lovejoy Wharf in Boston, MA, Enjoys Renaissance
- BoardSafe Kayak Launch Survives Hurricane Sally
BoardSafe Clip-A-Launch Quickly Adds Launch to Any Dock
After years of designing, manufacturing, and installing floating aluminum docks and other marina products, BoardSafe developed a unique product to meet the needs of unique clients: the add-on kayak launch we call Clip-A-Launch. “Many of our clients have tight spaces that they need to operate within or limitations with their dock sizes. Others have seen an increased use of kayakers whom they want to accommodate,” says Scott Tihansky, president of BoardSafe Docks. Regardless of the reason for the problem, BoardSafe has created a solution: a clip-on kayak launch.
The clip-on, or add-on, kayak launch can be added to any BoardSafe dock system. The kayak launch clip-on has a modified attachment system that allows it to be used on other dock systems, including wooden docks. Recently, the clip-on kayak launch was installed at REI Rowing Center in Chicago, Illinois.
To see the Clip-A-Launch in action, watch these brief videos:
Adaptive Features That Make a Kayak Launch ADA-Accessible
“Just because a product is marketed as ‘accessible’ doesn’t mean that we can actually use it" — Michael White, avid outdoorsman and paddler who lived with spina bifida.
BoardSafe’s uniquely-accessible kayak launches maximize the number of users in a community who can use the launch by making them truly inclusive for those with moderate to severe physical challenges.
Direct quotation made prior to becoming a BoardSafe client (See below for client testimonials.) "Not only are the transfers of some with mobility impairments questionably safe but also the moving of the kayaks in/out of the water. I was not comfortable with the consistent level of safety that we are able to provide for our volunteers, all staff and, of course, our participants.” — Alice Krauss, M.Ed., OTR/L, Manager, Adaptive Sports and Recreation, Brooks Rehabilitation
BoardSafe Docks understands the needs and concerns of adaptive athletes, so we have worked with them to engineer ADA-accessible kayak launches that incorporate our unique aluminum materials and floating mechanisms.
Here are some of the features that make BoardSafe docks the perfect choice for paddlers.
- ADA-compliant features include a uniform 1:12-slope aluminum gangway that is adjacent to the composite-decking boat slide. This design allows individuals to ease their kayak down the slide while they travel along the gangway.
- The floating dock and gangway have a 36″ continuous handrail along the perimeter, consistent with ADA requirements.
- Aluminum floating docks with boat access are engineered for maximum flotation stabilization considering the size, number, and placement of plastic-encapsulated floats. The marine conditions and water movement (tidal waters, rivers, lake ice, etc.) are also considered.
- On the floating dock, there is a loading bench that is 16″ high. Our group of adaptive kayakers determined this to be the ideal height to allow them to transfer over from a wheelchair. On the loading bench, there are four levels with 4" rises. The athlete can use the handrail that runs the length of the bench to guide himself or herself along the bench to the boat. On the last transition, there is a pullout seat that extends out and across the top of the boat. The users can simply slide across the pullout seat, locate themselves directly across the kayak seat, and guide themselves into the boat.
- Surrounding the kayak is the roll cage. It is a frame of handrails and hand straps offering the individual numerous gripping options for lowering into the boat.
- Supporting the boat in the water is a partially-submerged bracket system to stabilize the kayak.
- Our kayak launches are stand-up paddleboard (SUP) compatible, allowing the adaptive athlete to participate in the rapidly-growing SUP sport.
Client Testimonials
"We have been VERY impressed by BoardSafe, and they have developed a system which we feel is superior to the EZ Dock system." — Leon Mertz, Lake Loramie Improvement Association
"BoardSafe has all the features to provide the most access to the greatest number of users." — George White, Wetland Biologist, Team River Runner Chapter Coordinator
"After a Category 3 hurricane flooded our area we found that all the kayak launches were ripped away, except for the BoardSafe launch. It didn’t move an inch." — Chris Camp, Principal Engineer, City of Cape Coral, FL
"The construction and installation of our new ramp and dock were flawless … we are the envy of our neighbors on Boathouse Row in Philadelphia." — Michael Ragan, Pennsylvania Barge Club
This installation was highlighted on the following real estate presentation:
For more information about the BoardSafe Docks family of adaptive products, click here.
BoardSafe Solutions for Boat Storage
Rowing clubs, kayakers, schools, and other commercial marine venues depend on BoardSafe for custom-designed floating docks, gangways, piers, and ADA-compliant access solutions. Of course, everyone needs a place to store their boats, kayaks, paddles, and stand-up paddleboards. BoardSafe has the answers, including paddleboard cages, kayak racks, and paddle racks. They can be freestanding as well as mounted to the docks and cantilevered, as you can see in the photos below.
Texas Rowing Center, Austin
We engineered and manufactured two 3,000-square-foot buildings that will be located directly on the dock. The building houses the racing sculls and equipment. We manufactured custom aluminum racking systems as well.
Other Installations
Boston's New Floating Restaurant Uses BoardSafe Gangways
Boston Harbor is probably best-known for the Boston Tea Party. Since then, many restaurants have opened along the harbor, but BoardSafe is proud to be part of a new venture — a restaurant floating in the harbor.
Charlie Larner is outfitting the 245-foot tall ship, Caledonia, to seat 300 people on its main deck. The fare will be typical sea fare, including mostly raw fish, lobster rolls, and fresh bivalves. Cocktails will be poured at a massive bar covered by awnings made from sails.
BoardSafe is engineering and installing the gangway that will provide safe, stable access for the crowds of diners. Because Sailor's Oyster Bar will be afloat in harbor waters that are prone to large fluctuations, tidal ebbs and flows from 9 – 12 feet had to be taken into consideration during the design process. BoardSafe's decades of made-in-the-USA experience and commitment to using only the highest-grade aluminum suit such a project perfectly. We take into consideration site variables, ecology, and other considerations.
In this case, an existing, unused set of railroad tracks sparked the idea for the perfect way to manage gangway movement for the safety of the customers. The gangway can travel and pivot safely to facilitate access to this unique restaurant, displaying BoardSafe’s ability to “go with the flow.”
The new floating restaurant will be surrounded by luxury yachts and be a part of a renewed harbor venue. The BoardSafe gangway will fit right in, giving safe, reliable access to this new venture.
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Here are some photos of the installation in progress.
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Here are some new photos of this unique installation!
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Guide to State Resources for Accessible Kayak Launches
NOTE: Listings were current as of date of publication and are subject to change.
Alabama
Justins Bay Sunset and Sunrise Shelter
Alaska
Kenai River Special Management Area - Cooper Landing Boat Launch, near Sterling
Kenai River Special Management Area - The Pillars Boat Launch, near Kenai
Arizona
Arizona State Parks & Trails
Colorado
Adaptive Sports and Adventures in Colorado: Accessible Options for the Disabled
Maine
Fully Accessible Boat Sites
Maryland
MD State Parks - Accessible Boat Ramps
Massachusetts
Accessible Kayaking
Michigan
Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota
Accessible Outdoors
Missouri
Accessibility Information by Park or Historic Site
Oklahoma
Accessible Information
Oregon
Milo McIver State Park
Pennsylvania
Accessible Kayaking in Pennsylvania State Parks
Rhode Island
Accessibility in Rhode Island State Parks
South Carolina
Dolly Cooper Park
Timmerman Jr. Kayak Launch
Wisconsin
State Parks Featuring Adaptive Kayaks
BoardSafe Is a Member of PA COSTARS' Purchasing Program
BoardSafe is a participant in the Pennsylvania COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program. COSTARS is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's cooperative purchasing program that serves as a conduit through which registered and eligible local public procurement units and state-affiliated entities are able to leverage contracts established to cost-effectively and efficiently identify suppliers with whom to do business. This streamlines the purchasing process for both sides.
The COSTARS Program's goal is to provide members with contracts that are competitively priced while delivering increased opportunities for our supplier and member partners.
Membership in COSTAR facilitates the purchase of supplies, services, and construction by entities that spend public funds, such as a council of governments or an area government, or an organization that receives public grant funds.
COSTARS suppliers, such as BoardSafe, must demonstrate high standards of responsibility and responsiveness. Many purchasers use a shortlist of preferred suppliers that they know they can depend on to deliver the goods in a timely manner and at competitive prices. Amazing customer service plus competitive pricing will go a long way to winning a member’s project!
Government agencies large and small, up and down the East Coast, have found BoardSafe to be a reliable supplier of the finest aluminum floating docks, gangways, adaptive kayak launches, and other marine recreation products. We have lived up to their COSTARS standards and reputation.
Other clients, from private citizens to boating and kayak clubs to public schools and universities, have relied on the trusted BoardSafe name.
For more information, contact us at 610-899-0286 or continue to browse our website, especially our Projects page.