Considerations When Designing and Selecting Floating Docks for Rowing Centers
Rowing centers on the East Coast and across the United States want to ensure safety for their athletes and longevity for their rowing center investments. Not all floating docks perform well in varying situations, especially under the heavy use of a rowing season. There are several factors to be considered when a rowing club, school, college, or association, designs or purchases docks for their rowing center. BoardSafe is an expert in designing and manufacturing floating docks for rowing centers. The below characteristics are built into the unparalleled design and construction of each BoardSafe dock.
Environment
The first question for any rowing center project is, "Where is the rowing center located?" Floating docks manufactured for lakes that have little variation in water levels are much different from floating docks built for tidal waters, like bays and marshes, that see dramatic fluctuations in water levels. However, some lakes see elevation changes in water because they are river-fed or have floodgates. Rivers experience a constant downstream force and vertical movements with the change in seasons and weather patterns. These factors are calculated into the production of the docks — not only their long-term durability, but also their stability and integration. Integrating a floating dock into a rowing center includes many calculations, such as the size and location of the bulkheads, pilings (internal pilings guides or external piling guides), and gangways.
Stability
As mentioned above, stability is an important factor for floating docks in rowing centers as crewmembers board and exit their boats. Additionally, rowers must remove and carry their boats from the water. BoardSafe has a proprietary calculation for floating docks to adequately support many people, accommodate point loads, and maintain a consistent position above the water level. This includes the exact placement, size, and type of floating on the floating dock. BoardSafe rowing docks also have a 5-inch freeboard. This, coupled with the dock’s overall stability, gives rowers confidence as they enter and exit their rowing shells.
Use
Rowing centers and rowing docks are obviously used for rowing. The real question is, "How are they used?" How many crews, staff members, and others, will be using the floating docks? What are the ideal dimensions for the floating docks, finger docks, and gangways? Where are the boats stored and loaded? What is the configuration of the rowing center, floating docks, finger docks, gangways, etc.? Are the boats parallel or perpendicular to the main floating docks when they are boarded?
Safe surfaces
BoardSafe specializes in manufacturing aluminum docks with composite or synthetic lumber. Specifically, BoardSafe uses NyloDeck, a composite lumber made of recycled carpet fibers, that contains no wood flour or PVC. This means that NyloDeck is ground-rated and resistant to rot, insect damage, and other wood afflictions. NyloBoard has a slip-safe surface, and the decking is held in place by the proprietary TimberStrong hidden fastening system. There are no face-nailing, splinters, or nail pops, and boards stay consistently in place over time.
High quality
All BoardSafe docks use the highest-quality materials. These include marine-grade 6160 aluminum, a proprietary extruded-aluminum frame, and plastic-encapsulated foam floats. The NyloDeck composite lumber decking on the floating dock is the only 1-inch composite deck board rated to span joists at 24 inches on center and at 16 inches on diagonals. It is twice as strong as other leading decking materials. Lightweight and easy to work with, NyloDeck is impervious to moisture, mold, mildew, and insects. The NyloDeck boards are fastened with a unique hidden fastener system developed by TimberStrong. Additionally, the hinges on the floating docks are mechanically attached to the dock. This means they are stronger. There is no welded connection holding the floating docks, like on competitors’ docks, that can compromise the integrity of the dock. It also means that dock sizes can easily be increased by connecting additional floating docks together.
Options
BoardSafe docks are built smart. They are environmentally-friendly, offering a float-through-float design that allows light to pass through to vegetation and water, and debris and plants and wildlife to pass underneath unhindered. We recommend that rowing centers work with experienced dock manufacturers who can anticipate needs and issues as well as offer solutions that make the rowing center the best it can be.
BoardSafe manufactures aluminum floating docks, piers, and gangways. We have designed and manufactured numerous specialty projects, including rowing centers and ADA docks and boat launches. For more information on your rowing center project, marina, and commercial or residential docks, call 610-899-0286 or visit boardsafedocks.com/.
Composite Decking vs. Pressure-Treated Lumber for Docks and Piers
Composite decking is superior to pressure-treated lumber for floating docks and piers regarding performance and total cost of ownership.
BoardSafe has manufactured millions of square feet of aluminum floating docks, piers, and gangways. The goal of BoardSafe is to provide the highest-quality product for owners of rowing centers, marinas, and other commercial and resident docks. In the construction of these products, composite decking is superior.
Many purchase pressure-treated lumber because of the perceived cost savings. If the application is in a warm climate, the sun will destroy the wood in less than 8 years. If the application is in the northern part of the United States, the wood is subjected to freezing temperatures and ice, making its lifespan approximately 8 – 9 years. Manufacturers of composite lumber confidently state that this synthetic wood product will last over 20 years. This being the case, the total cost of ownership for a composite wood dock is less than a dock made of pressure-treated lumber.
Treated lumber today
Recently, the process and chemicals used in creating pressure-treated lumber have changed to become more environmentally-friendly. The new chemicals have created an inferior treated-lumber product that is not as durable as the pressure-treated lumber of yesteryear. Additionally, the pressure-treated lumber is more corrosive to fasteners. Experts recommend using stainless steel screws and bolts in lieu of the traditional galvanized steel. To jack up costs even more, the environmentally-friendly pressure-treated lumber is now more expensive to produce than ever before.
Consider composite decking
Composite lumber is stronger and longer-lasting. Within the family of composite wood, one product leaves the others in the dust: NyloDeck. NyloDeck is the only composite deck board that BoardSafe uses to manufacture its floating docks and piers. NyloDeck contains no wood particles; it is made of recycled carpet fibers — essentially, fiberglass. For these reasons, NyloDeck is rated for ground contact because it resists moisture, mold, and mildew. It is also the only 1-inch composite deck board rated to span joists at 24 inches on center and 16 inches on diagonals. It is twice as strong as other leading decking materials, and lighter, too. On BoardSafe docks, the NyloDeck boards are fastened with a unique hidden fastener system developed by TimberStrong. This means no nail pops or face nailing.
The last feature that makes composite wood superior is the frame. BoardSafe manufactures floating docks, gangways, and piers from 6160 marine-grade aluminum, with their proprietary extruded-aluminum frame. When looking at the quality of the overall investment, aluminum-frame docks with synthetic-wood deck boards are the way to go.
When it comes to building floating docks and piers, composite lumber is best. When it comes to manufacturing aluminum floating docks, BoardSafe is the best.
BoardSafe manufactures aluminum floating docks, piers, and gangways. They have designed and manufactured numerous specialty projects, including rowing centers and ADA-featured docks and boat launches. For more information on your rowing center project, marina, or commercial or residential dock, call 610-899-0286 or visit BoardSafe.com.
ADA Boat Launch, Floating Dock, and Fishing Pier
Leaser Lake in Pennsylvania created an accessibility park for those who are disabled or have limited mobility. The accessibility area includes paved walkways and a wheelchair-accessible boat launch and fishing pier. BoardSafe was contracted to build and install the floating docks, gangways, and ADA boat launch, for handicapped access to the 117-acre lake. BoardSafe was selected because of its reputation as a high-end dock builder and its proximity to the lake. They also specialize in Americans-with-Disabilities-Act-featured accessible commercial aluminum floating docks, boat launches, and fishing piers. The project included an ADA-accessible kayak launching ramp.
Providing equal access to all is important. If you are in need of ADA-featured commercial aluminum products for your marina or home dock, contact BoardSafe below to see our selection of ADA-featured applications.
BoardSafe specializes in manufacturing aluminum docks, gangways, and rowing centers. They offer both standard and ADA-featured products. If you have a rowing center or marina project and would like to learn more, visit BoardSafeDocks.com or call 610-899-0286.
100-Foot Aluminum Gangway Built for Boston Harbor, MA
Lovejoy Wharf is in Boston's North End waterfront neighborhood. It is a newly-renovated section of the city that is enjoying a renaissance. The neighborhood is home to the Boston Garden, Converse's world headquarters, restaurants, bars, and downtown shopping. It now is also home to a brand-new BoardSafe aluminum gangway.
At Lovejoy Wharf, there is ferry service that whisks passengers throughout the harbor. Passengers board and exit the boat from a barge that is accessed via a 100'-long x 5'-wide aluminum gangway that has a landing and steps. This huge gangway was manufactured at BoardSafe's Topton, PA, facility, and shipped in two truckloads. This is a project that we are very proud to say is ours.
To learn more about our aluminum gangways, click here.
Accessible Kayak Launch Installed at Hanna Park in Florida
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a 1.5-mile public beach and city park in Jacksonville, Florida. In April 2019, the City of Jacksonville received and installed its new BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch. Many community advocates had pushed for a long time to get an accessible launch. Now that they have it, the city has invited the community to come out and learn to kayak. They have even invited an occupational therapist to come out and help the adaptive kayakers. Watch the video below to see the story and how lives are being changed!
Rehab Experts and Jacksonville, FL, Partner to Bring Accessibility to Residents
The City of Jacksonville and Brooks Rehabilitation have teamed up with BoardSafe's adaptive kayak launch to provide accessibility to residents with disabilities in Florida. Jacksonville's Adaptive Recreation Program is hosting clinics around the city to educate and encourage residents with disabilities to enjoy kayaking. One of the clinics will be held at Hanna Park where, in the spring of 2019, a new BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch was installed. Read here for more information.
Best Rowing Dock in Philadelphia Is not at Boathouse Row
Like any sport, rowing is competitive. Not only is there competition in the water, but there is also competition out of the water. Temple University's rowing coach says that they have the best rowing dock in Philadelphia. We concur because we believe that we design and manufacture the finest rowing docks and rowing centers around. An aluminum rowing dock with synthetic lumber decking that is 280-feet long, and that is accessed by two 24' x 40' aluminum gangways, is very hard to compete with. That is why Temple is bragging (and so are we). There is pride in rowing and pride in manufacturing great products. Watch the video:
The Temple University Rowing Center is a state-of-the-art facility on the Schuylkill River, characterized as "the best rowing center in Philadelphia" by their crew coach, Brian Perkins. The Temple boathouse is located 2.5 miles north of the famed Boathouse Row, and 11 miles south of the Conshohocken Rowing Center. The site is specially engineered to be fastened into the river bank anchor points above the historic cement riverbank wall. It is also designed to handle the torque from the river current and water level fluctuations. Additionally, the design maintains a 6" freeboard for easy entry and exit from boats and can support varying weight requirements during large events and regattas.
The rowing center was designed, manufactured, and installed by BoardSafe, an experienced manufacturer of aluminum floating docks, aluminum gangways, pedestrian bridges, and other marina access products. For more information about BoardSafe's products or to see their list of rowing center projects, visit boardsafe.com.
BoardSafe Featured in Industry Newsletter
Bethlehem-based insurance carrier, HMK Insurance, featured their client BoardSafe Docks and gave them accolades for their dedication to making aquatic sports and activities more accessible. Below is a snippet of the article:
HMK Client Spotlight: Northeast Products & Services Inc.
How does one manufacture state-of-the-art aluminum boating docks and rowing centers in the middle of a cornfield in rural Pennsylvania? HMK client, Northeast Products & Services, Inc., has certainly figured it out. At their Topton, PA, location, they specialize in engineering and manufacturing floating marinas, rowing centers, gangways, and adaptive docks. Northeast Products & Services, Inc. has been called upon by rowing associations, universities, and cities, to create their unique one-of-a- kind products branded as BoardSafe Docks. In looking closer at the Boardsafe Dock products, the expertise and innovation of this business have an impact far greater than those requiring a water-facing structure. Their projects directly affect the well-being and lives of the general public. Click here to read the article.
How an Accessible Kayak Launch is Built and Assembled
Many outdoors lovers arrive at a local state park, lake, or waterfront, and find an accessible kayak launch. The launch is intriguing to them, and they wonder how it works, who uses it, and how it was built. Below are some photos of the step-by-step process of the assembly of an accessible kayak launch.
First, the accessible kayak launch is designed and manufactured to the client's specifications by BoardSafe Docks in Topton, PA. The accessible kayak launch is pre-assembled and reviewed for quality measures, then loaded for shipping and delivery to the client's location. In this case, the client is located at Saratoga Lake, Florida.
Cape Coral, FL, ADA-Accessible Kayak Launch Installed
Sirenia Vista State Park in Cape Coral, Florida, is an 8-acre environmental park, known as a great place to enjoy viewing manatees. It is also a favorite fishing area for locals. The park is undergoing a series of upgrades. The Phase I enhancements have been completed and include a new BoardSafe ADA-accessible kayak launch area, manatee viewing locations, walking path, and landscape improvements. The new handicap-accessible kayak area now allows all those in the community — regardless of any physical limitations — to safely enjoy the outdoor activities and wildlife.
Enjoying the marine activities at Sirenia Vista State Park is a highlight of the park. The kayak launch allows kayakers access to the Calusa Blueway through Matlacha, and the state park has identified and created a series of water trails. Maps and information can be downloaded from their web site: http://www.capecoral.net/department/parks_and_recreationhome/sirenia_vista.php
This installation was highlighted on the following real estate presentation:
https://youtu.be/YS1pYLAha5g
Sirenia Vista State Park is located at 3916 Ceitus Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida, 33991. The project is another high-quality project by BoardSafe. BoardSafe is a premier manufacturer of aluminum floating docks, aluminum pedestrian bridges, aluminum gangways, aluminum piers, rowing docks, accessible kayak launches, and other marina applications. BoardSafe prides itself not only in its products, but also in offering value-added services like engineering and other solutions to create the best application for each installation. This includes offering creative solutions that are the most practical and cost-effective, offering the least amount of ecological impact on the surrounding habitat. Contact BoardSafe to discuss your needs at 610-899-0286.
