Buying a dock and boat lift for your waterfront is already a pretty significant investment with many things to consider. It would be so much easier if there were a list of prices, and you could just pick one that fits your budget. However, because each boat dock system is as unique as each boater, many different variables and factors will affect the cost.
Dock and Lift Type
Your dock is the foundation of your waterfront system, and it’s important to get the right kind for your water. Different dock styles will have different costs based on their complexity, materials, and the labor needed to install them (and some will require more maintenance down the road, which should also be a budget consideration). You’ll have to be especially careful with your choice. If your area restricts the style of a dock, you can use the materials that it can be built from, or even the kind of system your water will support—this is where a local dealer can help.
As for boat lifts, bigger boats require more lifting power, which requires a lift that costs more. Different boat lifts get your boat out of the water in different ways based on factors like engineering and water depth, which means different prices. Think about your boat's type, size, and configuration when considering your lift system. Larger and wider boats, like pontoons, will require longer and wider lifts. Larger weight capacities can use more power and cost more as well (remember to account for everything your boat will carry, not just the dry weight).
Configuration
If your waterfront system is a simple, straight platform out to the water that you use to access your boat, it’s probably going to be relatively inexpensive. Multiple dock sections combined into a large platform so that you can entertain and install a lot of accessories will cost more. More complex configurations might be more complicated to plan, connect, and install, and they could also be pricier. Accessories for your dock and boat lift can improve its performance and aesthetics but are also an important item to include in your budget—especially if you’re going to be spending time on the water entertaining, eating, playing watersports, or doing anything else on your dock.
Materials
Different materials have different costs associated with them. Wood might be cheaper initially but may require more expensive maintenance later. Aluminum decking is much more expensive up front, but it doesn’t require nearly as much maintenance, even after years of performance. If you have an especially large or complex dock layout, this will affect your material costs as well (decking can be as much as half of your total dock budget, although sometimes that figure can be higher or lower). You’ll also need to consider the materials that your dock and lift are made from as well as any landscaping or other groundwork that needs to be done before installation.
Rather than thinking of your boat dock system and boat lift as purely sunk costs, think of them as an investment in your boating future. By giving your boat a safe place to dry dock, you’re protecting your watercraft from expensive, unsightly damage that affects its performance and value. In creating a high-quality dock system, you’re creating the foundation for all of your future waterfront activities. In the long run, you’ll save time, stress, and money, so the upfront cost of a dock and boat lift is definitely worth it.
For more information:
ShoreMaster, LLC
1025 International Drive
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
800.328.8945
www.shoremaster.com
