Air Dock

[Jamepc]

Has anyone have experience with these: www.airdock.com ?

Looking for the least expensive way to keep the boat out of the water at my dock.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
James

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Air Dock

James, I would think that the drawback for all floating dock designs is the possibility of storms. I live on a lagoon, which has some exposure to the bay. We have 3 foot waves roll down the lagoon during some storms. I would expect that setup to be completly destroyed by such conditions. If your water is always calm, it may work. What about a four post boat lift, instead.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Air Dock

i would not spend my money on it. a kid with a treble hook and it would not be a good combination. you deflate to launch, it sinks, friend pulls up to the dock not knowing it's there, it becomes prop food. in Florida these are used quiet a bit in protected waters. watch the videos. http://www.jetdock.com/boat-lifts.asp

 

[peleg]

Re: Air Dock

I have never seen this product before, but my aunt and uncle had a floating lift that was made from two pontoons that were attached together and held in a mechanism that kept them from moving any direction except up and down. It had an air pump that would fill them with air and raise your boat from the water. It could still move with the waves but only up and down, not in a rocking motion. It seemed to be a pretty good setup inside their boathouse, but may be more expensive than a lift, I dunno.

 

[Jamepc]

Re: Air Dock

Thanks for all the replies.

Chris-I live on a canal lot off the Florida Intracoastal Waterway (1.5 miles of canal to get to my house) so it only gets moderately choppy in a severe storm (even hurricanes).
A 4 post would be twice as much not to mention dealing with the Army Corps of Engineers to pull permits. They're getting extremely tough.

tashasdaddy- When it's deflated it doesn't sink completely. There's outer chambers that are always air filled, otherwise it would be impossible to position the boat correctly. I think it would be very visible. I imagine the thickness and toughness of the material used for these would make it extremely difficult to puncture it with a hook. Not impossible, just very difficult. Jetdocks cost much more.

Thanks,
James

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Air Dock

Seems like making it from a different colored material might be a better thing.

I feel like it wouldn't last very long.

 

[manticore999]

Re: Air Dock

I've had an Air Dock for 2 years now and couldn't be happier with it. Used properly (which is really easy), it's an effective way to keep your boat out of the water and really easy to use. The best part is that when I moved slips last summer it took about an hour to un-hook, move and set up again. I'm in a covered slip in a marina, so wakes and waves aren't a problem for me. I haven't gotten it 'hooked', so I don't really know how vulnerable it would be, but the material is pretty thick. I don't think an accidental mis-cast would be an issue.

If you buy it brand new I believe it comes with a 5 year warranty. I know one person who has had hers for 5+ years now with no major problems.


Have you contacted the manufacturer ? I haven't had to do that myself, but I believe they're pretty responsive to questions.

Whatever you decide - good luck!

 

[Jamepc]

Re: Air Dock

Thanks manticore999, I was hoping to hear from someone that actually has one, although the others that gave their opinion are also greatly appreciated!
I think I'll be looking into getting one too.

Thanks,
James