Floating Dock Boat Camp Build Your Own Floating Retreat Randy Scott Trailer Boats April 10, 2009

My family has always loved boat camping, but some of the locations we would most like to stay at don’t offer the topography needed for setting up camp. Or they offer sites so close together that the idea of getting away from it all becomes a moot point.

Then we had an epiphany: Why not bring camp with us? By using modular components — the kind used to build docks — we could have a portable campsite that could be set up virtually anywhere. And it wouldn’t matter if the terrain were sloped or heavily wooded, because this camp would float.

We could load the modules in the truck or boat, haul them to our getaway and then assemble the platform. Once we maneuvered it into position, we could drop anchors to hold it in place. Then we could pitch our tent, break out the lawn chairs, cooler and fishing rods, and kick back on our very own island in the sun.

The major benefit, of course, is that it would be a great base of operations for boating. Tubes and wakeboards could be placed on the platform rather than in the boat when not being used, and it would be an ideal swim platform, as accessory swim ladders are available that attach to the floats. And because it is offshore, skippers don’t have to worry about dinging a prop or scratching the hull, as might happen if the boat were pulled up to shore. At night, the boat could drop anchor for extra security, and then tie up to the float — with its anchor light on to alert other boaters, of course (and rigging a battery-operated light would mark the float when the boat was away).

NATURAL FISH MAGNET
Fishing from a floating camp has its own benefits. Fish like shade and often congregate around docks, so why not our floating bit of heaven? Because they are modular, it would be possible to remove a center section or two to create a fishing hole… kind of like ice fishing without the ice. On the other hand, those who prefer to cast would have 360 degrees along the outside perimeter from which to do it.

But would the concept of a portable, floating boat camp work in real life? It was time to find out.

TESTING THE CONCEPT
To test our theory, we enlisted the aid of Connect-A-Dock (see sidebar), a leading modular floating dock manufacturer, to supply us with the materials we would need. As our test lab, we picked Fernan Lake, a small, idyllic waterway on the outskirts of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The lake has only two public launch ramps and no marina, so boat traffic is limited. Plus there are no campgrounds on the lake and its heavily wooded south shore, which rises steeply from the water, is inaccessible by car, all of which made Fernan a perfect spot for our project.

Assisting me would be my two sons, Erik and Sean, and my brother, Gary, who resides in Coeur d'Alene and who would supply the boat — a 21-foot Crownline bowrider — and a Toyota Tundra Double Cab to haul the modular dock components and boat.

Connect-A-Dock manufactures 10- and 20-inch-high floats, and we opted for the slimmer floats because they would be easier to transport. It also offers two modules within the 10-inch series: The FS1030 measures 45x30 inches and weighs 50 pounds, but on the advice of company officials, we chose the FS1060, which is 45x60 inches, weighs 86 pounds and has a buoyancy rating of 690 pounds. Although the 45x30-inch float would be easier to handle, Connect-A-Dock pointed out that it would require more float connectors and time to assemble our boat camp than if we used the larger float modules.

PICK YOUR SHAPE
The modules can be connected in almost any combination, but to keep things simple, we used nine floats to form a rectangular campsite measuring 15 feet wide by 11 feet, 3 inches long. This is a rather large platform, but we were able to fit all the floats in the bed of the Tundra, and the four boxes of float connectors went in the bow of the boat.

Our plan was to assemble the platform adjacent to the launch ramp, and then use the boat to tow it to a quiet cove. Our other option would have been to load everything into the boat for transport across the lake, and then assemble it on site — but this probably would have required two trips. In retrospect, I’m confident that we could have built the dock from the swim platform of the boat, but doing it shore side made everything easier to control.

NO-FUSS ASSEMBLY
The Connect-A-Dock sections bolt together using a standard 9?16-inch socket wrench. Each float has molded-in pockets along its perimeter, and floats are joined via a connector with a stainless threaded insert so that you can bolt through the float and into the connector. Everything is done above deck. Once assembled, the bolts and accompanying diamond-shaped washers are recessed so you aren’t walking on them — a real plus on hot days. All in all, the Connect-A-Dock system went together quite easily and took four of us 90 minutes to assemble. Actually, it was more like three of us, because yours truly was busy staging and taking photos part of the time.

Now it was time to haul it to a cove and anchor it off each end. Although Connect-A-Dock offers an unobtrusive Deep Water Hardware kit (consisting of stainless eyebolts that extend beneath the floats to fasten an anchor line to), we simply tied the rode through unused bolt holes. The Deep Water Hardware would have given us a cleaner look.

Next, we set up camp, and were delighted to find that our floating island was stable and easy to walk on. The top of the floats have a simulated wood grain finish that serves as nonskid, and built-in channels act as rain gutters to drain water off the sides so it doesn’t puddle.

The concept of using modular floating dock components to create a portable floating boat camp worked like a charm. Our island campground proved to be a handy platform from which to base all our boating activities, and it became the envy of passers-by. For some reason, we found it to be more relaxing and enjoyable than camping ashore, perhaps due to the rhythmic movement of the water and the uniqueness of the occasion. Regardless, it was a fabulous experience — and one we vowed to do again. We’re hooked.

CUSTOM DOCKS
Modular floating docks generally run anywhere from $35 to $50 per square foot, depending on the brand and configuration, and accessories are available to help customize the installation. The rectangular 15x11-foot system we used for this story retails for approximately $6700, but because it’s modular, platforms can be sized or configured to suit your needs — a 10x11-foot square dock, for instance, would run about $4300.

MODULAR DOCKS & ACCESSORIES

carolinadocks.com
803/924-2451
Carolina Docks manufactures docking systems and docking accessories that reportedly are easy to install.

connect-a-dock.com
877/742-3071
Connect-A-Dock’s docking systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so whether you have a PWC, runabout or cruiser, the company builds components and accessories to fit your needs.

dockaccents.com
888-880-7795
Dock Accents offers a variety of docking accessories, from mooring systems to cleats. The company’s rolling shore ramps allow you to dock your PWC right on the shore and easily haul it away.

dockboxes.com
800/559-4269
Dock Boxes Unlimited not only manufactures docking systems, but also offers deck hardware from dock boxes to dock carts.

ez-dock.com
800/654-8168
EZ Dock builds a complete line of floating boat and PWC lifts, along with anchoring systems and even slides so that the kids can enjoy themselves at the docks when you’re done boating for the day.

floatingdocks.com
317/803-2443
Floating Docks Mfg. not only builds custom floating docks, but the company will also install your dock and accessories.

floatingdockshop.com
225/709-0295
The Floating Dock Shop doesn’t just offer boat lifts and floating docks — it also sells portable buildings that allow you to store your gear right at the dock.

follansbeedocks.com
800/223-3444
Follansbee Dock Systems offers serious hardware and accessories for marina-grade installations, but the company handles orders both large and small with equal service.

hewitt-roll-a-dock.com
507/225-3421
Hewitt Lifts and Roll-A-Dock manufactures floating docks built specifically for deep water and frequently changing water levels, so you’ll never have to worry about finding your dock submerged.

jetdock.com
800/880-7795
Jetdock’s floating walkways are modular, portable and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

BONUS WEB INFORMATION

INSTALLATION TIPS
In connecting one float to another, we found that positioning your weight in the appropriate areas helps in bringing everything into alignment. After awhile, it becomes intuitive as to where you should stand. We also found that having a small, thin-edged pry bar, like a chisel or flat screwdriver, helped occasionally in better aligning the connector with the bolt holes.

LUXURY TOUCHES
Added luxuries such as a shade canopy or portable head could enhance your “floating island” camping experience even more. Connect-A-Dock also offers several accessory items including cleats, guardrails and a sturdy aluminum ladder to facilitate easy boarding from the water. Also available are Extra Flotation pods that can be easily slid into chambers on the underside of the floats wherever you have added weight—like someone climbing up a ladder or on dock corners where several swimmers might congregate. Each pod delivers an additional 60 pounds of buoyancy and they can be stacked on top of each other for exponential flotation if necessary. According to Connect-A-Dock officials, you don’t want so much weight on any area that the float submerges, because the floats have tiny vent holes in the upper section of connector pockets that permit the floats to breathe to avoid bloating and disfigurement from trapped heat on hot days. If these vent holes were submerged the float could take on water. Connect-A-Dock says the water can be drained, but it’s best to use the Extra Flotation pods instead.