Custom BoardSafe Aluminum Floating Dock, Boat Rack, and Launches
BoardSafe recently engineered, manufactured, and installed, a custom aluminum floating dock and gangway for a private lake. The BoardSafe custom aluminum floating dock is equipped with two kayak launches. The installation also includes an attached boat rack that cantilevers out over the water, freeing up valuable deck space.
Watch this video testimonial and bird's-eye perspective of this custom BoardSafe installation:
City of Coeur d'Alene Atlas Waterfront Project
The City of Coeur d'Alene has officially purchased nearly 47 acres of Spokane River waterfront property that was the former Atlas Mill site for the inclusion of a BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch and Clip-A-Launch. The city purchased the property for $7,850,000 and the sale was recorded on May 16, 2018, making the sale official. The city began the process of purchasing the Atlas Waterfront property in May of 2017. The city purchased the property to create permanent public waterfront access and encourage economic development initiatives on the site.
The featured photo is of the BoardSafe Kayak Launch being installed in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, at Atlas Mill Waterfront Park. This system not only includes our standard launch system, but a Clip-A-Launch as well. This was BoardSafe's first project in Idaho.
The City of Coeur d'Alene is working in partnership with ignite CDA to assess all opportunities related to uses of this property and to engage the community. The City Council and ignite CDA board members have directed staff to move forward with creating a new urban renewal district, which is being referred to as the Atlas District, and to expand the River and Lake districts. A Site Analysis, Financial Feasibility Study, and Master Planning effort is underway to develop an urban renewal plan for the project. That effort is being led by Welch-Comer Engineers with sub-consultants Heartland and GGLO. City staff, ignite CDA, and elected officials have been working together to provide feedback on the analysis and to provide ample opportunities for community outreach and public involvement. Special thanks to CDA2030 and other community volunteers for making the community engagement efforts to date a success.
Here we will provide basic project information, project status updates, and when and how stakeholders and community members can get involved in sharing their thoughts on this important project.
News & Information
- ATLAS WATERFRONT NEWS LOG (Click on link for more project information and news)
- COR Vision Group
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Traffic Impact Study Frequently Asked Questions
- Property Photos - Taken June 2017
- Environmental & Geotechnical Research of Property
- Resolution No. 14-049 - A City Council resolution calling for maximization of public access to riverfront property
- City Purchases Atlas Waterfront - It's official. The 47-acre Atlas Waterfront property is now owned by the City of Coeur d'Alene! The City purchased the property for $7,850,000 and the sale was recorded on May 16th, making the sale official. The City began the process of purchasing the property in May of 2017.
Rowing Center Aluminum Floating Dock Survives Flood
The Conshohocken Rowing Center, located north of Philadelphia on the Schuylkill River, was challenged by a rainstorm that caused the river to rise 20 feet, reaching the top of the embankment. Despite the flooding, the aluminum floating docks, gangways, and rowing center, remained intact. This is yet another testimony to BoardSafe's engineering and construction skills. Watch this on-the-spot video:
BoardSafe Gangway Will Connect People with Floating Dock in Scituate, MA
Located 20 miles southwest of Boston, the historic town of Scituate on Cape Cod Bay is one of the most picturesque harbors in New England. Scituate Harbor Marina has one of the most convenient locations in Scituate Harbor. They are the closest public marina in the harbor to ocean access. They are the only marina that can accommodate vessels up to 80 feet LOA. They have ample vehicle parking with secure access to our docks.
BoardSafe designed, built, and installed a 5' x 80’ gangway for the marina. This gangway connects the land with a floating dock.
[metaslider id="6912"]
BoardSafe Provides Docks and Gangways for Philly's Boathouse Row
In May of 2020, Philadelphia city officials announced that the Schuylkill River would be dredged for the first time in over twenty years. Now, a team that includes a Penn Design professor is researching strategies to keep the river clear for decades to come.
BoardSafe entered into a contract with six of the boathouses on Boathouse Row in Philadelphia. The contracts range from removing the docks and storing them prior to dredging to putting some of them back and installing new floating docks and gangways. They are working with the following boathouses: PA Barge Club, Fairmount, University, U Penn, Crescent, and Malta.
Texas Rowing Center Austin Gets New BoardSafe Docks and Storage
Take a look at these photos from the installation of BoardSafe docks at the Texas Rowing Center in Austin, Texas. The Center is a rowing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) concession located in downtown Austin on the north shore of the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail, directly across from Austin High School.
Here is a recent video showing what a world-class rowing center looks like:
The main dock is 50’ x 300’ (15,000 square feet). We’ve also engineered and manufactured two 3,000-square-foot buildings that will be located directly on the dock. The building will house the racing sculls and equipment. We manufactured custom aluminum racking systems as well.
This is a major part of the ongoing improvement of the Texas Rowing Center. BoardSafe is building cages for storing the increasingly-popular standup paddleboards that are the favorite marine recreation for residents and tourists alike.
NEW: BoardSafe also provides boat storage solutions! Read about our paddleboard cages and kayak racks here.
Here are some photos of the actual on-site construction and the finished project:
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/.
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.
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.