How to polish your aluminum dock frame Though aluminum is the industry standard for docks, being that it is lightweight, rust-free, and strong, it does have one downside. Aluminum can tarnish over time. Especially in water, aluminum will not always sparkle like the day it was first rolled or floated into the lake. When aluminum appears old, it is due to the process of oxidation. When aluminum reacts with the air and water (which docks will often be exposed to both), a thin coat of aluminum oxide forms on the surface of your frame. Some aluminum alloys are not rated for water, and others are ..read more

Time for a new dock? Start your planning with Jack DocksMajor Factors in How to Build a Dock Planning for your new dock is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Just because you hear that someone saved a ton of money by building their own custom dock does not mean that it would be best for your unique situation. Will you be the guy or gal who needs to cut your losses and hire a pro? Is a custom dock best for you? How do you build a dock for your specific application? Here are some preliminary considerations: Water Depth Water Fluctuation or Current Shoreline features Intended use – boats, swimmi ..read more

No. Blog over. Just kidding. Let’s really dive in this week because this is not as obvious as some make it to be. Its gonna get technical, so get out your protractor and your TI-85. When researching hardware for marine equipment, you will find many impassioned opinions. The quick and easy answer you might find (especially from sellers of stainless steel dock hardware), is that stainless steel is rust resistant, strong, and zinc is neither. So why wouldn’t you use stainless steel on your dock for all nuts & bolts needs? As with many quick and easy, quotable opinions, there is more nuance to ..read more

If you are headed to the lumberyard or smoking fish you may be interested in Cedar Seconds. Also, if you are in the market for a dock and want to cut costs at every corner (selling a house on the lake and need a fresh upgrade? in a tight spot and just trying to squeeze by this year?) then read on friend. Cedar Seconds is a grade indicator for lumber. The premium grade cedar may not have the “premium” designation, but it would be assumed. Premium Grade Cedar is the best cut of wood with no flaws whatsoever. If there is a minor flaw like a chip, insect bore, saw cut, crack, or knot that DOES NO ..read more

We talked about the functionality and uses of Floating Docks two blogs ago. Hopefully, by now you understand their purpose, and whether that is the dock design that is best for your property. And since planning and designing is the funniest part of the process (as opposed to say, installing), then let us give you some fun things to think through! 1. High-Level Design Choices. Since floating docks are modular and easy to assemble, you can create the design of your choice. You can start with a ramp or go wild with your own design. You can create a classic ‘T’ or ‘L’ shaped patio or come up with ..read more

Add to length or patios to your dock or custom build an entire dock with modular dock sections This floating dock is built from smaller 4x8ft sections that join togetherChange Change Change Things change. Sometimes things change AND change back again. Water levels, shoreline conditions, and your hairline all have this in common – they don’t stay the same. You need a dock that will be flexible enough to accommodate changes to your lake and shoreline. Maybe its your neighbors or maybe its rainfall conditions – the fact is that your lake will not be the same every single year. Many dock manufactu ..read more

As easy as Jack Docks’ docks that jack are, sometimes there are reasons for different options. Let’s discuss why floating docks might be the dock that makes you swoon over any other. First off what is a floating dock? They are docks that float. The end. But Jack Docks floating docks are aluminum with foam-filled float drums and decking that drops into place. They are modular, lightweight, and anti-rust. You can configure them into any standard dock shape that you so desire, and they are stable and secure enough to board your boat from. So why a dock that floats versus one that is permanently f ..read more

Photo Contest Winners ~and~ NEW Jack Docks Website! The above photo is our GRAND PRIZE WINNER! Mike W of New Richmond, WI with his photo of a Low Profile Floating Dock! Congratulations! This above photo is 1st Runner up Jason Z of Muskego, WI for his Poly Rolling Dock! Our 2nd Runner up is John H of Schenectady NY for his Patio Rolling Dock We will send emails to the winners with coupon codes to get your $$$! All other entries are in our new gallery of….. Our NEW Jack Docks Website! We couldn’t be more excited to finally reveal our new hub for all things Jack Docks! We’ve wanted to come up ..read more

We say ‘bugs’, but a-course what we mean is mean ol’ mosquitos. Even other bugs probably don’t like those little bad boys, but we’ve got some tips on how you can insulate yourself from them while outdoors. I mean obviously if you have an ‘indoors’ on your boat, then just screen all the windows and doors, but for the rest of us, here’s some advice. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION You’ve got to weight the pros and cons of where you anchor down. Shores near marshy, wooded…you know, sorta stagnant areas? They are gonna be brutal. The fishing certainly might be good there, but before you plan your outin ..read more

So you found this blog post because you have a trip coming up with your friends, and you don’t want everyone to know you don’t know what starboard means, but more importantly, you want to be safe when they let you behind the wheel. We’ll help you navigate the choppy waters of how to dock a boat in choppy waters. 1. Don’t be a hot shot. No one, and I mean no one comes in fast when docking; not even your cigar smoking, American flag-hat wearing grand-pappy. Take er slow and easy. Even back up to prevent coming in too hot. It’s better that you protect your investment than saving two seconds. The ..read more