Category Archives: Commercial Docks

Commercial Docks, Dock Products, Ez Dock

ADA Compliance: Making Waterfronts Handicap Accessible

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Getting out on the water and enjoying a nice summer day is a privilege that we can all enjoy. However, for people with physical disabilities this can be quite the challenge.  The process of launching a kayak or small canoe in the water can be quite difficult for the physically disabled, but with EZ Dock the process is made much simpler!

EZ Launch System

The EZ Launch system is designed to be completely ADA compliant. The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, requires no discrimination against people with physical disabilities. People using wheelchairs, or others with disabilities have the right to be able to easily access the waterfront. With the EZ Launch, the installation process is finely tuned to make sure the launch meets the minimum ADA requirements.

  • The installation process begins by taking two EZ Port 2s and connecting them together in-line.
  • The rollers designed for PWCs are then removed and PVC sleeved pipe replace them allowing for easier sliding for kayaks and canoes.
  • Guiding rails are then installed onto the launch to allowing a kayaker to grasp to pull their-self on and off the launch.
  • Security curbing is placed along the perimeter of the dock connecting to the launch to prevent slips or falls off the dock. The curbing is tall enough that a wheelchair can’t run over the edge.
  • A bench with two different heights is used to slide and attach to the sign, allowing for easy transfer onto the kayak.

The complete system, from the gangway to the launch, is fully ADA compliant. A physically disabled person is able to bring their kayak and launch without ever getting wet. That’s the magic of EZ Launch!

Additional Information

Deaton’s Waterfront Services over the past year has proudly worked with local governments and agencies to provide ADA compliant EZ Launches to public parks, reservoirs, and rivers. We have proudly installed in several states including Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois.

If you are interested in public access points for EZ Launch, check out the first launch installed in Indiana, visit the NCA website about information for EZ Launch, or check out Cicero, Indiana‘s new kayak launch at Red Bridge Park!

For more information about EZ Launch systems or ADA compliancy please contact Deaton’s Waterfront Services, or give us a call at (317)747-4933.

Commercial Docks, Dock Inspections

Managing Safety Hazards on Public Waterfronts

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Getting ready to enjoy another year on the water is always an exciting time. But you don’t want to overlook the proper safety protocols! Public waterfronts and commercial docks need to be especially careful about their equipment. Regular dock maintenance checks and being able to make necessary repairs quickly can help make the difference between a safe site and a tragic waterfront accident.

Waterfront safety hazards can be easily prevented when you work with the right experts. Here at Deaton’s Waterfront Services, we love helping boat launches and docks on public lakes, reservoirs, and other commercial waterfronts stay up to code. Two types of problems in particular can be a big cause for concern.

Accessibility on Commercial Docks

Our public parks and recreational areas are an invaluable part of our country, and a real source of enjoyment for so many people. In order to protect these sites and help make them available for everyone, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990. These standards cover fishing piers, floating structures, and other local or state facilities.

To be recognized as ADA-compliant dock, both fixed and floating waterfront structures need to be wheelchair-accessible. This helps ensure that people of all abilities can utilize public docks. Sites of all sizes—from small lakes to large marinas—are held accountable. Commercial docks and other public facilities need to pay special attention to these requirements, but sometimes certain features get overlooked.

If you ever need help maintaining your own ADA-compliant dock, just contact Deaton’s Waterfront Services. Our experienced team understands the importance of having accessible ramps, guardrails, curbing on the walkways, and other features for dock safety. We’re always happy to review your site to make sure it meets or exceeds the ADA standards.

Electrical Safety for Waterfronts

Public waterfronts also need to keep a close eye on their electronics. As we look forward to the summer season on the water, it’s important to remember that safety risks can exist anywhere on a dock or marina. Electrical hazards are especially dangerous for waterfronts. Marine industries have to work hard to protect the public against these concerns, but often, there’s a lot left to check.

While some regulations are already in place, electrical safety still makes headlines. Large conferences around the county address marina electrical safety every year—and for good reason. These types of waterfronts often work with a lot of electricity on and around the dock. If these electronics aren’t grounded properly, people swimming in the harbor can be at risk for electric shock drowning. The electrical systems for big marinas and around public lakes definitely need to be up to code. If you aren’t certain that everything is an order, you’re probably due for a dock inspection.

Talking with a waterfront services company can help you verify your dock’s safety features. In other situations, though, you might need to bring a marine electrician to your site. Regularly testing your setup can keep your guests safe.

Get Your Dock Up to Code

If you want to minimize the safety hazards on your public dock or waterfront, Deaton’s Waterfront Services can help. We have experience working with docks of all sizes. When you aren’t sure if your site is up to code, give our team a call at (317) 747-4933. We can either send someone to your location for an in-person tour, or schedule a video call to review your current setup.

Some of the best ways to make your site safe and secure are pretty easy to do. Make sure your wheelchair ramps are at the right angle, and update your rails and curbing to protect visitors from accidents.  A review of your existing electrical equipment is also important this time of year. For a truly successful season, don’t ignore waterfront safety. Partner with Deaton’s Waterfront Servicers to keep your site up to code and ADA-compliant all year long!

Commercial Docks, Dock Inspections, Uncategorized

Mother Nature

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Mother Nature (vs) Waterfront Equipment

When engineering or designing a waterfront system, multiple factors are taken in to account to make sure the system works flawlessly in the short term, and the long term.
Factors such as:
• Wind Load
• Snow Load
• Earth Shifting
• Sink Holes
• Ice
• Temperature
All should be considered when planning the docking structure, and accessories such as ports, lifts, kayak launches, slides, ladders, and other amenities.
With our 30 plus years of experience we can verify, and ensure worry free installations that are on the
Waterfront. This includes docks, walls, and boat lifts. Lets take a look at the different components of boat docks, and boat lifts that need to be factored in with weather.
Boat Docks:
A.) – Floating Boat Docks: Any floating dock can carry “X” amount of weight. The maximum weight that can be carried or supported will be rated by the buoyancy that is underneath the frame and decking. Typically we like to see at least a buoyancy of #25-95 pounds of live load per square foot. Live load is the optimal buoyancy you can maintain across the square footage of your floating platform that’s on the water. The floats are the largest factor you need to consider, most floatation over time will develop lack of optimal buoyancy. This contributes to the dock losing freeboard. “Freeboard “is the measurement from the water line to the top of the dock. Measured freeboard of a floating boat dock depends on the usage, or watercraft that will be using it. Typical freeboard is from 5”- 40”, Deaton’s Waterfront Services can help you measure the recommended proper freeboard.
B.) Stationary Boat Docks: Stationary Dock structures are anchored by having poles, pilings, or supports being driven or anchored into the bottom of the lake bottom. This is a nice and stable way for installation, that creates a solid platform. The biggest worry to this dock is ice/ landshift. If the anchors or pilings settle or get shifted with ice or land movement this will cause the dock to be unlevel, and dangerous to use. There are ways to combat this by using bubblers, water attueators, or have shoreline stabilization installed. A lot of this can be overcome by doing some core samplings of the soil, and making sure to take the necessary measures.

If you have any other questions on this subject, feel free to reach out. Deatons Waterfront Services, 317.747.4934, sales@deatonsdocks.com, www.deatonsdocks.com, or 215 South Madison, Fortvillle, IN 46040. Estimates are free for Boat Docks, Boat Lifts, and Sea Walls! _DEBO_

Commercial Docks

Modular Docks

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Modular Docks- “The New Docks on The Block”
When the idea of a modular dock was first mentioned in the 1990’s, it was well received and has become a popular option for many first time dock buyers, or seasoned dock experts. The modular dock industry has exploded with new manufacturers and has legitimate discussion to threaten the “old school” steel and float industry.
Why Modular??
Going with a modular dock is really the best of both worlds, its cost effective but allows you room to expand in the future at your leisure. Short term verse longterm can be 1, 5, 10, or 20 years in the future. When it comes to modular docks the construction type is usually plastic. The molded style of the dock can be: injection molding, blow molding, or rotational molding.
How to select the best modular dock:
• Look at the company’s conception (origin).
Some modular docks have been around since the beginning of the modular dock game, i.e. EZ Dock established 1991. Other modular dock companies such as Wave Armor have been around since 2011. Knowing the track record and experiences of the dock manufacturer might give you a better indication or comfort level of whom to invest your hard earned money.(Boat Dock Origin)
• Check out the manufacturer’s warranty.
Read between the lines. When it comes to modular dock manufacturers we have noticed that factors such as dock location, dock user, and mooring intentions can affect how long, and if the warranty can be void. We warn heavily on checking out this, and considering it when selecting the docking product you want your family to enjoy for years to come. (Boat Dock Warranty)
• See the local installations.
Don’t be afraid to ask where the closest dock location that you can go see condition of the dock over a period of time. If the dock company is reputable they shouldn’t hesitate to want to share their masterpiece work. Our suggestion is the older installations, and the brand new installations are the best to visit for the modular docks. This gives you a great spectrum to see start to the future the expectation of the selected modular dock. (Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan)
Closing Thoughts:
Pricewise Modular Docks range from $15-30 per square foot. This includes Cube Docks, Connect-a -Docks, Ez-Dock, Wave Armor, Jet Dock, Accu-Dock, Modu-Dock, Instant Marine, Poly Dock, and Polka Docks. The biggest difference that separates each modular dock manufacturer is how the dock is engineered, and how the docks connect together.
The best connection will allow the dock to survive the longest and be in service to the customer well past expected life. I do know from experience the Ez Docks we design, supply, and install are rated for 60+ years if the anchoring and project system is rated properly.
If you have further questions on floating modular docks, feel free to reach out or stop by our office. Email is sales@deatonsdocks.com, phone is 317.747.4933, and address is 215 South Madison, Fortville, Indiana 46040.

Commercial Docks, Deaton's Waterfront Services News, Dock Design

Choosing the Right Custom Dock for You

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Picking the right dock for your needs can be challenging. There are several factors that come into play when designing the setup of a new custom dock such as water depth, fluctuation, space, and maintenance. Deaton’s Waterfront Services offers free consultation with our experts’ opinions on the perfect dock for you. To better your knowledge on the dock that might be best for you, let’s look at the many different types of custom docks.

Types of Custom Docks

With new technology constantly being developed, there are several types of docks that each have unique characteristics best suited for your needs.  Deaton’s Waterfront specializes in four different dock styles: floating, stationary, EZ-Dock, and boathouses.

Floating Docks

Floating docks are great for water that is over 10′ deep. With multiple decking options such as wood, concrete, and Thru-Flow, floating docks provide a low-maintenance experience great for water with a lot of fluctuation. Geist and Morse Reservoir both have a lot of fluctuation, so floating docks are the best choice. Worried about becoming sea-sick  due to the fluctuation? With many decking and anchoring options, you won’t even be able to tell that you’re standing on a dock!

Stationary Docks

Stationary docks are best suited for water bodies with less than 10′ of depth. With minimal water fluctuation, stationary docks provide a stable walkway to enjoy all of you waterfront activities! Stationary docks are common in Northern Indiana due to the waters not fluctuation as often.

Boathouses

Boathouses are a type of stationary dock that come custom-built with a roof to protect your watercraft. Boathouse are a great permanent solution if you intend to stay settled! Our most recent boathouse, the Griggs boathouse designed for the Columbus, OH Police Department, features many amenities to best serve our boys in blue!

 

Deaton’s Waterfront Services offers free consultation for your dock needs. We will work with you to decide what’s best for you to help get you and your family on the lake for all your fun activities! For more information, contact us at (317) 747-4933, or email sales@deatonsdocks.com  -BD

Commercial Docks, Dock Design

Accessibility and ADA-Compliant Docks at Public Waterfronts

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If you have a community boat dock near you and your neighbors, you want to make sure that everyone can enjoy it. Being able to spend time outdoors and around the water is part of life’s greatest pleasures . But if the public dock isn’t handicap accessible or ADA-compliant, you’re preventing citizens from fully utilizing the space. Getting a site that’s up-to-code and open to everyone makes a big difference in building a vibrant, healthy, and engaged community.

Waterfronts on state property and other local public sites need to be regularly reviewed to ensure that they’re not only safe for guests, but that they are accessible for people of varying ability levels. Easy mobility on boat docks and fishing docks helps make these spaces welcome to anyone who wants to use them.

Guidelines for Recreational Facility Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) works to protect the rights of individuals, no matter what their physical abilities might be. The law helps ensure that everyone can have safe, convenient access to local government and state facilities, including our treasured parks and recreational areas. Boating facilities, as well as fishing piers and platforms, must accommodate people with disabilities. Both fixed and floating structures need to comply with the ADA standards.

In 2002, the Access Board issued some helpful guidelines for new boating facilities and other remodels. Outlining the minimum requirements for these sites helps public docks improve their accessible features. These resources make it easier to create wheelchair-accessible routes for fishing docks and other boating activities. Of course, it’s always best to work with a seasoned waterfront specialist when drafting your designs. The right team of dock experts will help ensure that any new builds or remodels are ADA-compliant.

No matter the size of the recreational facility, certain accessibility features will need to be in place. Large marinas and piers, and even small public campgrounds with just one or two boat slips must meet these requirements. By addressing the usability at sites of all shapes and sizes, the public can have a great time around the water—no matter where they are.

Accessible Dock & Waterfront Solutions

Fortunately, making public docks accessible isn’t that big of a mystery. There are plenty of waterfront products available that can streamline the process. ADA-compliant features make fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation fun for everyone! Including some of the best accessible dock solutions into your site is a great way to help your community stay safe on the water.

Public Fishing Docks

Building an accessible fishing dock is often a top priority for commercial and public waterfronts. Since fishing is such a popular hobby, it would be a shame to limit anyone’s access to the lake or pond! A simple public fishing dock will let park visitors get a great catch. We prefer building with EZ Dock because it’s easy to upgrade commercial dock setups. When necessary, you can even add a floating walkway with guardrails to expand visitor access.

Public Kayak Launches

For a really convenient canoe and kayak launch experience, you can’t go wrong with the latest EZ Launch Accessible Transfer System. These models make it easier than ever for small boating enthusiasts to enter and exit their watercraft. The transfer bench is made with two different heights to accommodate varying wheelchair sizes, and the entire system exceeds the minimum requirements of the ADA standards.

Community Boat Docks

If your setup requires multiple boat slips, ramps, and access points, you can still count on EZ Dock. We’ve utilized their modular system to build floating docks in communities all across the Midwest. Because you can easily expand your design with EZ Dock, there’s always the option to add new elements for a better overall experience. Making sure you have the proper ADA-compliant railings and curbing for safe, accessible ramps streamlines these designs.

Ready to Improve Your Public Dock?

If you need help making your local or state property compliant and accessible, call on the dock experts. At Deaton’s Waterfront Services, we’re proud to work with municipalities and commercial docks of all shapes and sizes. We have completed multiple waterfront projects for state properties and public lakes throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois.

Getting your waterfront accessible and ADA-compliant is easy when you work with a professional team. To get started, simple contact Deaton’s Waterfront Services to schedule an on-site visit or request a quote. We would be honored to work with you!

 

Commercial Docks, Deaton's Waterfront Services News

Our Top Commercial Waterfront Projects from 2017

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As we get ready to wrap up the year, it’s only natural to reflect on how our company has grown. In 2017, Deaton’s Waterfront Services was proud to work on a variety of commercial dock projects. From new floating docks, to kayak launches and boat houses—we love helping making your waterfront experience better than ever.

Working with state parks, government groups, and other commercial clients is a big part of what we do at Deaton’s. Take a look at some of this year’s highlights to get an idea of what our crew is capable of creating for both residential and commercial waterfronts!

1. Paddle Dock at Jacobson Park

The marina at Jacobson Park in Lexington, Kentucky needed a waterfront upgrade, and we were happy to help. Their new floating dock now gives park-goers easy access to their paddle boat rentals. It’s a relatively simple project, but adds great value to their marina.

Although the boat dock is now closed for the season, Jacobson Park is sure to get some great use out of this setup in 2018. A sturdy EZ Dock system was just what this park needed.

2. Boat House at Griggs Reservoir

Building a custom boat house gives commercial waterfronts total control over their setup. We recently teamed up with the Columbus Police Department in Ohio to construct a boat house. The finished project now keeps their gear protected and meets all their needs.

We traveled over to Griggs Reservoir in Columbus, Ohio for the job. Once we assembled the dock, uprights, and purlins, the rest of the construction for this boat house was smooth sailing.

3. Floating Dock at Crab Orchard

Some floating docks are easier to install than others. But this large community dock definitely needed a team effort. Managing the many sections of this commercial dock was a fun challenge for us! The end result is a strong, stable structure—even with its large surface area.

The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge stretches across nearly 44,000 acres in southern Illinois. We were honored to complete this dock over in Carbondale.

4. Kayak Launch at Cowan Lake State Park

This summer we also took a trip to Wilmington, Ohio. Cowan Lake State Park needed a kayak launch for their park visitors and outdoor enthusiasts. We knew that they would love the new EZ Dock kayak launch. The completed install looks great on their waterfront.

Getting out of the water is breeze with this setup. The floating dock and kayak launch have a low-profile to make the site even more accessible and user-friendly.

Commercial Waterfront Services

Making plans for a new and secure commercial dock system can be complicated. But you should never compromise safety. The right equipment for your waterfront can help everyone have a good time. Match that with an experienced team for the install, and you’ll have a winning setup that will last for years to come.

If your commercial site needs a new dock or boat launch, contact Deaton’s Waterfront Services. Our team is proud to serve clients throughout Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. For commercial dock systems big and small, you can count on us!