How a Sinking System Docks a Heavy Boat
Docking a heavy boat at a private jetty or canal berth sounds straightforward until you start doing the sums. A vessel pushing 3 or 4 tonne needs a dock that can receive that weight without capsizing, binding or letting the hull sit in salt water overnight. WS Docks say their sinking system is what lets them custom make docks up to 5 tonne, and they bring their docks to boat owners across Western Australia and Queensland, including the Gold Coast.
What the sinking system actually does
For boats in the 2.5 to 5 tonne range, a dock needs to handle the weight and geometry of a heavy hull reliably, every single time. WS Docks describe their sinking system as a first of its kind, and it is what lets them custom make docks for boats up to 5 tonne. One customer review on their home page says the inflation system is easy to use and makes it convenient to get the boat on and off.
Why weight class matters more than boat length
Length tells you roughly how much dock footprint you need, but weight class determines the structural spec of everything underneath. Two boats of the same length can differ a great deal in weight depending on hull material, engines and fuel load. WS Docks’ medium boat dock, for 1.5 to 2.5 tonne, uses their premium sinking system and is listed at $11,000, while the large boat dock covers 2.5 to 5 tonne and is listed at $16,000. Catamarans have their own category, combining the custom rollers and the sinking system for twin hull boats of all sizes. If you are unsure what your vessel weighs, the builder’s specifications are a sensible place to start, and a loaded figure is more useful than a dry one.
Can a floating dock really hold 5 tonne?
WS Docks say yes: their sinking system, which they call a first of its kind, lets them custom make docks up to 5 tonne. In general, how much a floating dock can carry depends on the number, size and arrangement of the floats beneath it. WS Docks build from HDPE blocks engineered to withstand Australia’s harsh elements, with custom brackets designed to withstand the toughest conditions and bracing capable of supporting excess weight.
What does salt water do to a heavy boat left in the water?
A hull left in salt water continuously generally needs more antifoul, and its running gear sits in salt water too. The WS Docks home page claims $1000s saved in antifoul per year, and a larger hull generally means a larger area to antifoul. Their home page also lists 200+ custom dock installations, with local marinas among their customers.
How is a large boat dock custom built for a specific vessel?
WS Docks say they custom make their large boat docks, and their sinking system is what lets them build up to 5 tonne. They have partnered with fabricators and rope splicing experts in Australia, and they build with HDPE blocks, custom brackets and bracing capable of supporting excess weight. Their services page does not set out the design steps, so ask them what they need to know about your boat when you get in touch.
Will a heavy boat dock suit my berth?
A common question from owners of larger vessels is whether their jetty, canal wall or pile configuration can take a dock at all. Every berth is different, so that is a question to put to WS Docks directly, with details of your boat and your berth. To see the full range of dock options from small boats through to catamarans, visit the floating dock and large boat services page at WS Docks.
Catamarans: when the sinking system pairs with rollers
A catamaran’s width and twin hulls can make a standard cradle a poor fit, and a setup designed for a monohull can load a cat unevenly. The WS Docks catamaran dock combines their custom rollers with the sinking system, for twin hull boats of all sizes, and it is listed at $18,000 on their services page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum boat weight the sinking system can handle?
The large boat dock is custom made for vessels from 2.5 to 5 tonne. WS Docks describes their sinking system as a first of its kind, and this is what makes the upper end of that range achievable. The large boat dock is listed at $16,000 on their services page. If your vessel is close to the 5 tonne mark, have its weight to hand when you get in touch.
How does the sinking system work in practice?
WS Docks does not publish a step by step technical breakdown of the mechanism, but their services page describes it as a first of its kind sinking system that allows custom docks to be built all the way up to 5 tonne. One customer review on their home page describes the inflation system as easy to use and convenient for getting the boat on and off.
Will my existing jetty suit a large boat floating dock?
That depends on the conditions at your berth, and it is worth checking before a dock is designed, not after. Put the question to WS Docks with details of your jetty and berth when you get in touch.
Does the large boat dock need much maintenance?
WS Docks build with HDPE blocks engineered to withstand Australia’s harsh elements and custom brackets designed to withstand the toughest conditions, and their home page carries a 2 year warranty guarantee. Beyond that period, the ongoing maintenance requirements depend on your specific berth conditions and how frequently the boat is used, so that is a conversation worth having at the time of your quote.
How do I get a quote for a large boat or catamaran dock?
Call WS Docks on +61 431 149 231, Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm, or email wsdocks@outlook.com. They say they reply to emails within 24 hours. Having your boat’s weight and details of your berth ready is a sensible start.
Sources
This article draws on the following pages.
