Aqua Dock

[JeffD]

Today it was the day a new Aqua dock was built!



First six pallets of parts





Next setting out.



Attachment 77335

Start constructing.











Whilst a few blocks are yet to be attached we were quite pleased with the end result.




All that is required now is the RC 7.8

[RAZZER]

That sea rider will look lost against the 7.8 !
The owner will be well gel ...

[JeffD]

Three more strips were added before it was finished so it is now over 8m.

I'm not sure that my neighbour will be too jealous. You can just catch the stern of a large motor yacht in my last picture. He owns that as well!

This boating malarkey......money to burn!

[ribber]

Now you have been using the Aqua Dock, how have you found it?

Would you be able to share what it costs and whether you have to get any licence from anyone to put it in the water.

Will you have to take it out at some point and clean the underside. Any pro's and con's you might add.
Thanks.

[RMR2ENG]

Love it.

Would it be beter to joint both platforms? Yours and the one of the boat next to you?

[ppenman]

I've been using aquadock since the beginning of may for my ribeye 785s. Aquadock built the unit for me including some options. These are chains rather than rope for tying to a pontoon, extra width to make it easier to walk around the boat for cleaning etc and a hand winch.

The length of the dock is 8.5m so I am paying for a 9m berth. The marina were a bit unsure at first as they hadn't seen one of these before and don't allow lifting systems however, they are fine with it now.

There is some fouling occurring on the bottom of the blocks but I have been assured that they are maintenance free. Judging by how easy it is to clean the top of the blocks I would imagine that if you ever wanted to clean them a quick jet wash would do.

Driving on to the pontoon is remarkably easy no matter the tide or wind. It's a case of basically pointing the nose at the V and driving straight up with the boat straightening itself as it goes forward.

Once on the dock the boat is very stable making getting on/off, cleaning, maintenance etc a lot easier.

Getting the boat off is not so easy. I've only managed to reverse the boat off without winch assistance once. As such, I would recommend that the winch option is purchased. It only takes 30 sec to winch the boat back to a point where the engine can take over so I don't even think about not using it anymore. When winter comes I will use the winch to pull the boat further forward.

Overall I had a few teething problems but dealing with Aquadock is easy as they are very helpful. I've also purchased a 390l plastic chest from amazon (£85) which sits on top of the dock and gives me somewhere to store cover, brushes, tanks etc

I'm really happy with it.

[JeffD]

I would agree with PPENMAN

[JeffD]

I would agree with Everything PPenman said. As you can see from the Photos it is very easy to build once you follow the instructions. I park a 7.8m Ribcraft on it and it is a breeze to drive on.

However do not expect to hop in and reverse it off. No chance! So I constructed my own reverse winch system. I bought two sailing blocks, a length of 10mm strong nylon sailing Rope (the sort that hardly stretches) and a http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-5...495802-0690008 hand winch. I am now able to winch it onto the dock so that is out of the water and back again (without help) without the winch I cannot move it.

I am delighted with the product as the boat remains dry.

[Nos4r2]

Wow , is that a complete porn seat 5.4? That's a real rarity.

[Brian]

I can understand how you would winch a boat on-but how do you winch it off again?

[ppenman]

Magic.


You position a couple of pulleys half way down the dock and put a rope through the pulleys and boat eye tying the ends of the line together. You then connect the winch to the loop of rope. As you winch the boat moves back and you get to go out to play.

[ribber]

.........and the cost of all this? are you able to share!

Guess I'm needing to clean my bottom every 3 weeks to keep on top of the crud which I normally do off the beach. But body and mind starting to ache now, as both are not quite as they use to be. Would like to think our marina could/may come up with perhaps, a joint venture. Much prefer this idea to dry stacking.

[Nos4r2]

Drive On Boat Lift, PWC Lift Demonstration - YouTube

[ppenman]

Look much the same. I notice that there's a winch attached to their dock. It looks to me when I look at the video the bow of the boat appears further forward when they drive the boat on (using the rear storage box for a reference point) than when they come to reverse the boat off. It looks to me like some careful editing has been done to make getting off a tad easier. I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time.

[MustRib]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

wait ... thats B**G isn't it?

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by ppenman

Look much the same. I notice that there's a winch attached to their dock. It looks to me when I look at the video the bow of the boat appears further forward when they drive the boat on (using the rear storage box for a reference point) than when they come to reverse the boat off. It looks to me like some careful editing has been done to make getting off a tad easier. I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time.

I agree. Clearly missing some footage of the winch in action

www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk

[JeffD]

My 8.3 x 3m Aquadock cost £5400 without fitting.

[ribber]

Thanks JeffD gives an idea to work on

[Nick Hearne]

You could make your own out of milk bottle crates!!

[ppenman]

Bollox. I could have saved thousands.