Case Studies

NASA Stennis Space Center

NASA Stennis Space Center

Installation Details

This install is located in Hancock Co. Mississippi, on the Possum Walk Heritage Trail, at the NASA Stennis Space Center. The dock system is located approx. 1/2 mile through the woods, on the Heritage Trail, which made the job a little more challenging. The Launch is located just off the Pearl River, which now provides access to some great fishing and paddling spots. The floating dock system and kayak/canoe launch is all ADA compliant, allowing wheelchair access to all paddling activities. In fact the entire 3.2 mile trail is all wheelchair accessible, as well as for bicycles and walkers. The trail crosses through pristine marsh and wetland areas, that are great for, birding, fishing, wildlife viewing, biking and walking.

Photo Gallery of NASA Installation

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Government Applications - NASA

Borough of Swedesboro

Borough of Swedesboro

Title and Introduction

The Borough of Swedesboro New Jersey is located in Gloucester County, a small southern NJ town of 2500 residents. Narraticon Lake is the center of a 200 acre park, 1.5 mile walking trail and a playground open to the public. Fishing, kayaks, canoes, row boats and small electric powered boats are permitted. With mature hardwoods on a hillside this man- made lake was created in 1934.

Background

Since the dock offers opportunities for fishing and boating Mayor and Council were searching for new ways of encouraging greater use of the lake by the public. Since there were no docks available for public use they decided to add two different floating dock platforms to encourage fishing and small boating activities (kayaks, canoes, row-boats).

Requirements

A list of requirements for the dock system of choice were best met with the floating dock system manufactured by EZ Dock in Missouri:

  • Safety

    EZ Dock offers the most stable floating dock system available today as the entire dock system is designed to be suctioned to the water’s surface. The non-skid surface prevents slipping on dock even if water is present. There are no splinters or cuts since the entire dock is made of polyethylene.
  • Maintenance

    EZ Dock offers a life time dock system and is free of traditional wood floating docks consisting of treated wood, bolts, screws, brackets and nails. The entire modular dock system is manufactured using polyethylene and includes a coupler system created from recycled car tires which is hurricane force rated. The only maintenance required is a power wash to bring it back to original condition year after year.
  • Modular

    Similar to a large Lego System the dock configuration can be changed in hours, not days or weeks. Customers are guaranteed that any new product can be connected to the original system with no modifications. After 20 years of production this remains true today.
  • Ice Friendly

    EZ Dock is designed to remain in the water year round and requires only 2″ of water to float. During a freeze the dock will rise and rest on top of the ice eliminating the need to remove the docks during the Winter months.
  • Environmentally Friendly

    EZ Dock is completely rated “green” as there is no metal or treated wood used in the construction. For this reason EZ Dock is the only dock permitted within indoor Aquarium environments such as Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, etc.
  • ADA Compliant

    If you have ADA accessibility requirements EZ Dock offers complete accessories to meet these requirements on any dock configuration including the EZ Launch for kayaks and canoes. Wheel chair access is provided using EZ Dock’s ADA compliant Transfer Station, railings and security curbing.
  • Anchoring Options

    Swedesboro chose the pipe bracket anchoring option, one of several options to hold the dock in the correct position while allowing automatic adjustment for any change in water level. Two 21′ galvanized pipes were “jetted” into the lake bottom using a high pressure water pump with telescoping 3″ pipe covers serving as extensions should extreme high water conditions exist.
  • Accessories

    The EZ Dock system has a complete line of dock accessories including railings, cleats, boat docks, PWC docks, utility stands, dock showers, rescue ring holders, safety ladders, dead weight brackets, kayak racks, fish cleaning tables, paddle board racks, solar lighting, benches, umbrella brackets, and many more.
  • Two separate floating dock installations were acquired

    • The Fishing Dock

      The Fishing Dock is equipped with railings on all sides with fish pole holders, two benches and a gangway transition from existing steps. Anchored with two galvanized pipes the dock configuration can be changed in hours should any requirements change in the future.
    • The EZ Launch

      The EZ Launch for docking and launching kayaks or canoes is equipped with a stable platform consisting of docks, handrails and rollers to allow easy and safe entry and exit of any kayak or canoe. Watch this short video clip. A non-skid dock surface assures safe entry and exit when launching and docking which is never too hot on bare feet. The dock is also modular and the configuration easily changed should requirements vary in the future. The transition to land is a polyethylene gangway with the dock anchored with two pipes allowing the docks to rise and fall with any change in water level.

Installation and Grand Opening Pictures

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Swedesboro - Installation and Grand Opening

Dragon Boats

Dragon Boats

Title and Introduction

Dragon Boat Races are increasing in popularity across the country. Teams have been increasing in number as well as competitive events

Since Sundays were a big day for boaters to be on the water there was a desire to have a place to meet for Sunday worship on the water. A local river was easily accessible that had a cove off the river where the floating system could be stored when not in use. There are obviously other potential uses for this floating platform such as meetings, weddings, etc.

Background

Dragon Boats trace their heritage back to war canoes and have increased in popularity as a competitive sport both here and abroad.

Basic Requirements

The optimal requirements for a dock system to launch and recover the boats are a dock that is strong enough to support hundreds of participants, stable when everyone is standing on one side boarding boats, light enough to move from location to location since events take place at different venues, and minimal maintenance.

Not only must the docks be light enough to easily transport but they should be modular to allow easy and quick assembly and also disassembly from the dock, not in the water.

Decision Point

EZ Dock is the system of choice since the dock system was lighter than any other available and easily assembled and removed. The entire floating platform is suctioned to the water’s surface due to the design of the dock sections which provides unmatched stability with everyone standing on one edge at one time.

A 10′ dock section can support 4,000 lbs so there is no limit to the number of people permitted on a dock at once other than standing room.

The only maintenance requirement is a power wash once in a while to bring the dock back to original condition. The dock has a life expectancy of 30 to 50 years. The anti-skid surface prevents slipping even in wet conditions. Environmentally the EZ Dock system surpassed all requirements since there is not treated wood, foam flotation or metal components.

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Case Studies - Dragon Boats

10 foot x 100 foot platform
10 foot x 100 foot platform
Anchoring EZ Docks
Anchoring EZ Docks
Aluminum gangway
Aluminum gangway
30' EZ Dock
30' EZ Dock
Another installation in New Hope, PA.
Another installation in New Hope, PA.
30' x 6.5' EZ Dock
30' x 6.5' EZ Dock

Floating Church

Floating Church

Title and Introduction

An EZ Dock Dealer had a request for a floating platform to be used as a Boater’s Church on Sundays. It was to be used for holding church services on a river and then towed to a protected cover off the river after church services concluded.

Background

Since Sundays were a big day for boaters to be on the water there was a desire to have a place to meet for Sunday worship on the water. A local river was easily accessible that had a cove off the river where the floating system could be stored when not in use. There are obviously other potential uses for this floating platform such as meetings, weddings, etc.

Basic Requirements

The requirements included a stable platform which would hold over 100 people plus railings for safety, solar lighting, and an area to use for the leadership of the service.

Cleats and dock ropes on boat slips were required to allow 10 boats to tie up for the service. Safety ladders were required as well as rescue rings for additional safety precautions. The boat slip area was to be designed for expansions based on the average number of attendees based on future expansion.

The dock had to include temporary anchoring to hold it in place while in use and be easily moved to a cove off the river when church doors closed. The dock system was to last 30 years with minimal maintenance and provide a safe surface for customers, even when the dock surface was wet.

Decision Point

EZ Dock was the system of choice since the dock system was lighter than any other available and easily moved.

The entire floating platform is suctioned to the water’s surface due to the design of the dock sections and flotation which provides much more stability than is usually found with floating docks. The only maintenance requirement is a power wash when necessary with the dock’s life expectancy of 30 to 50 years.

The anti-skid surface prevents slipping even in wet conditions. Environmentally the EZ Dock system surpassed all requirements since there is not treated wood, foam flotation or metal components.

EZ Dock also offered more dock accessories and anchoring options than any other dock system today which fulfilled the requirement for railings, dock fingers, cleats, solar lighting, safety ladders, etc.

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Case Studies - Marine Floating Church

Floating Marine Church
Floating Marine Church
Moved into place each Sunday
Moved into place each Sunday
Various EZ Dock accessories used
Various EZ Dock accessories used
Main walkway and boat docks
Main walkway and boat docks
Safety accessories
Safety accessories

Mercer County

Mercer County

Title and Introduction

Mercer County Marina is located on a lake in West Windsor, New Jersey which is a part of a park complex offering tennis, basketball, skating, ball fields, dog park, and much more.

The county provides boat rentals (electric powered only), kayak rentals and has a public boat ramp available for use for boating and fishing. The lake is also used by the Princeton National Rowing Association as well which is the home for the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team practices. The county hosts several rowing regattas during the season as well as other water events.

Background

The marina docks were in need of replacement and the county advertised the project in a public bid. As with most wood structured dock systems the floating dock system had to be removed in the Fall and reinstalled in the Spring each year due to ice conditions on the lake. A combination of age and wear/tear caused by moving docks that were constructed using traditional bolts, braces, screws and nails brought this project to the table in 2011.

The goal of the project was to have a dock system that would require no maintenance, be 100% environmentally friendly, offer the greatest stability and safety and allow changes in the configuration in a few hours as requirements changed.

Original (old) Dock Pictures

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Mercer County Installation - Before Pictures

Basic Requirements Outlined in the Bid Specification

  • ADA certified dock solution to allow access for special need customers 100% environmentally safe – “green”
  • Stable – docks were to be designed to be “suctioned” to the water’s surface to allow all customers standing on one edge of the dock without the dock tipping
  • Durable – conform to industry standards and product material specifications
  • Safe – free from splinters and cuts which limited wood and metal dock structures
  • Anti-skid/slip dock surface – minimizing slips and falls when dock surface is wet
  • Cool – on the hottest of summer days customers with bare feet could walk on the dock surface without discomfort
  • Maintenance free
    • Docks should only require a power-wash to return to their original condition
    • Remain in the water year round – docks were not to be removed and installed each year due to ice conditions
  • Public Boat Ramp docks – to allow multiple customers to launch and retrieve boats using trailers
  • Adjustable freeboard of the dock system – to allow variable heights off the water’s surface for different applications such as rowing, sailing, etc.
  • Security Curbing – allow wheel chair access on the entire dock system
  • Solar Lighting – automatic charging during daylight hours, lighting through the night and motion sensors to allow increasing the intensity of the light when activity was on the dock
  • Power/Water Utility Stands – 110V 20A power and water stations
  • Emergency Swim Ladders – safety ladders that removed themselves when not in use but are available from the water 24 X 7
  • Rescue Ring stands – provide rescue ring and rope to be easily accessible on the docks
  • ADA certified kayak/canoe launch and dock system – allow wheelchair access to kayak activities
  • Installation by factory certified mechanics – trained in the installation and configuration of the dock system
  • 10 year warranty from factory defects – with extended warranty service in five year intervals following the initial 10 years

Decision Point

Mercer County Park System selected EZ Dock as the system of choice as it completely met all of the county’s specifications. With a life expectancy of more than 40 years the EZ Dock System will provide a maintenance free floating dock system with more accessories available than any other dock solution available today.

All installation and services are provided by a local EZ Dock Distributor/Dealer based within an hour of the installation.

The ADA accessories included with the system provide access by special need customers including the industry’s only ADA Certified kayak and canoe docking and launching system (EZ Launch). Two EZ Launch installations are available to the public for canoe and kayak docking and launching activities – a stable platform which offers the safest way to enjoy this type of boating.

Finished (new) Pictures

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Mercer County Installation - After Pictures

Picture of Mercer County Marina
Picture of Mercer County Marina
50 ft. gangway at Mercer County Marina
50 ft. gangway at Mercer County Marina
Picture of EZ Docks and canopy
Picture of EZ Docks and canopy
Picture of security curbing
Picture of security curbing

Montgomery County

Montgomery County

Title and Introduction

Green Lane Park, in northwestern Montgomery County, offers a variety of year-round, outdoor activities and programs for people to choose from. Park visitors can enjoy fishing, boating (including boat rentals), family and group camping, picnicking, 25 miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking, as well as two children’s playgrounds.

Winter enthusiasts can cross-country ski, ice fish or go ice skating. The park also offers summer concerts and movies, and family-oriented, environmental education programs on weekends.

Background

Due to the age of the floating wood docks a decision was made to replace the system. The existing traditional structure of the dock was in need of replacement again due to the wear and tear of usage, removal and installation, and age.

The floating dock system is used to provide boat rentals powered by battery and electric motors. The lake freezes during the winter which required the docks to be removed in the Fall and reinstalled in the Spring.

Basic Requirements

The County was interested in a floating dock system that was stable, required minimal maintenance and could remain in the water year round. They system needed to have the ability to have boats attached to docks for rentals and power stations for charging the batteries in the boats.

An important aspect of the dock related to environmental impact studies as the dock system should not contain components that would be harmful to the lake such as treated wood and components that rusted.

Decision Point

EZ Dock was selected as the system of choice due to the maintenance free polyethylene dock material. This life time dock system is designed to remain in the water twelve months a year as ice has no impact on the docks.

Dock box charging stations were installed to provide charging facilities for the boat batteries and utility channel was added to run power from shore to the dock box charging stations. The Frog Hook accessory was implemented for easy attachment of the boats used in the rental business with no dock lines or finger docks required.

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Case Studies - Montgomery County

Boat Rental application
Boat Rental application
Year round installation
Year round installation
Power accessible by utility channel and Dock Boxes
Power accessible by utility channel and Dock Boxes
Batteries to recharge electric motors
Batteries to recharge electric motors
Frog Hooks for anchoring saves space
Frog Hooks for anchoring saves space
Easy anchoring
Easy anchoring
Lock pins
Lock pins
Frog Hook Materials
Frog Hook Materials
Empty docks
Empty docks

Piney Run

Piney Run

Title and Introduction

Piney Run Reservoir is located within Piney Run Park in southern Carroll County operated by Carroll County Department of Parks and Recreation. The 300 acre lake located at 30 Martz Road in Sykesville, Maryland was completed by the Corps of Engineers in 1974.

There are two boat ramps available for launching vessels however gasoline motors are prohibited. Boat rentals including canoes and kayaks and park hours are 7 a.m. to sunset daily from April 1 to October 31.

Background

The County Park System has experienced a consistent increase in canoe and kayak activity over the years. It was a challenge to enter or exit a kayak from the traditional wood floating dock system due to the height of the dock from the water’s surface and residents were required to stand in shallow water or use a floating dock which was an unstable process for younger residents and a significant challenge for senior citizens.

Basic Requirements

The requirements for a system to allow Universal Access for kayak and canoe activities were:
  • A safe and stable floating dock system which provided a platform for entering and existing the water while remaining in the boat kayak/canoe
  • A dock system that would not require maintenance and provide a useful life over traditional floating docks by at least 3X
  • A dock system that can remain in the water year round with no adverse affect from ice conditions
  • An environmentally friendly dock system that would have no adverse affect on the lake and park
  • Universal Access – an ADA Compliant system that provided wheel chair accessibility

Decision Point

After evaluating the EZ Launch system provided by EZ Dock Mid-Atlantic the system was installed. A paved walk was installed leading to the EZ Dock transition gangway from land to the first floating dock in the system allowing a seamless transition from land to water accessibility for all residents.

The ADA Transfer Station Accessory from EZ Dock was added with Security Curbing which provides wheel chair accessibility for kayak and canoe enthusiasts. The docks are rated “green” as the polyethylene system has no treated wood or metal which has traditionally caused issues with environmental standards.

The EZ Launch system is designed to remain in the water twelve months a year as ice has no affect on the EZ Dock system and the life expectancy is 40 to 50 years. The entire dock system is suctioned to the water’s surface due to the design of the system which provides a new level of stability in floating docks. No splinters or cuts from wood or metal components also adds a level of safety over traditional docks.

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Case Studies - Piney Run

ADA accessible
ADA accessible
Poly gangway for ADA access
Poly gangway for ADA access
Handrails for easy wheelchair access
Handrails for easy wheelchair access

Saugerties

Saugerties

Title and Introduction

The Town of Saugerties is located on the Hudson River in Ulster County, NY with a population of 19,000. Several waterfront properties provide residents access to water activities, one of which is the Hudson River. Both fishing and boating are supported on the Hudson River.

Background

A public boat ramp provides support for launching and recovering boats on the Hudson River and a public fishing dock provides access to the water for anglers. Due to the rough water conditions on this part of the river the Town Council was interested in moving to a longer lasting floating dock solution that provided maximum stability and safety and could quickly and easily be removed without taking the dock system apart.

Due to the severe ice flows on the Hudson River all floating dock systems must be removed before Winter ice conditions arrive.

Basic Requirements

The Parks Department advertised for a floating dock system that could be removed from the river without being disassembled in the Fall and installed again in the Spring due to ice flow conditions. Other than this scheduled maintenance they wanted to minimize any other maintenance requirements and purchase a dock system that would last 30 years or more.

The two areas of interest for floating docks were fishing and boat launching/recovering at the public boat ramp. The fishing dock required railings for safety purposes, stability, and maximum capacity as they planned for large group use on the dock system at one time.

The dock system selected was required to pass environmental regulations as the State of New York passed legislation related to pollution issues from treated wood and flotation.

Decision Point

Since EZ Dock could be towed from the water without taking the dock components apart the requirement for quick and easy dock removal and installation was easily matched. EZ Dock also provides wheels which can be attached to the dock system to make the towing of the docks quick and easy for greater distances.

Since the dock system is much lighter than traditional wood or metal docks the boat ramp dock required only one piling which remains in the water year round. A heavy duty piling bracket is used to secure the dock system in the water and two pipes anchored in concrete hold the land side of the dock in place. The pipe brackets and piling bracket are easily removed to allow the row of docks to be removed from the water.

Similarly, the fishing dock can also be quickly and easily towed to the ramp and removed from the river. Since EZ Dock has a life expectancy between 30 and 50 years all requirements were met.

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Case Studies - Saugerties

EZ Docks assembled and floated into position
EZ Docks assembled and floated into position
Anchoring solution
Anchoring solution
70' x 5' EZ Docks
70' x 5' EZ Docks
Both sides of the docks are useable
Both sides of the docks are useable
Fishing Docks
Fishing Docks
Safety railings
Safety railings
Hurricane rated floating dock system
Hurricane rated floating dock system
Easy removal for winter
Easy removal for winter
Later add-on from a satisfied customer
Later add-on from a satisfied customer

Somers Point

Somers Point

Title and Introduction

Somers Point is located approximately ten miles south-west of Atlantic City on Great Egg Harbor Bay which leads to the Atlantic Ocean.

John F. Kennedy Park overlooks Great Egg Harbor Bay and with the high bank allows spectacular views of the Bay. Included in Kennedy Park is a public boat ramp for launching and receiving boats. The salt water bay with access to the Atlantic Ocean is a large open expanse of water which experiences typical northeast storms and hurricanes.

Background

The floating dock system installed at this public boat ramp has always been constructed of wood with plastic floating billets providing the flotation. Due to storm activity and ice conditions the docks were removed each Fall and reinstalled in the Spring.

Between the movement of the docks each year and the extreme weather conditions the traditional wood framed floating systems had to be repaired each year and replaced completely every several years.

Severe storm activity could shorten the typical life span of these docks if they were in the water during the classic northeastern storms experienced in this area of the state. This is tidal water which typically experiences a 6′ swing between low and high tide with greater heights during storm tides.

Basic Requirements

Somers Point Public Works Department requested a dock system that was stable, safe, environmentally pure, durable and required no maintenance. If the docks could remain in the water it would reduce the wear and tear on removing and installing the dock system each year and eliminate the time and effort required by the Public Works Department.

As with any project the cost of the dock system was critical.

Decision Point

The municipality learned of EZ Dock’s floating dock system and after investigating and visiting other EZ Dock boat ramp installations. A decision was made to change from a traditional wood floating dock system and install the EZ Dock system based on the life expectancy projection, the factory warranty, and the elimination of maintenance since the docks can remain in the water year round.

The public has enjoyed a much longer season for launching as the weather in late Fall and early Spring is very conducive to fishing. The EZ Dock system proved to much more stable than the traditional wood dock system as the dock sections are suctioned to the water’s surface due to the engineered dock product.

With the elimination of splinters and cuts which the EZ Dock System delivers the public boat ramp docks have proven to be much safer with no maintenance requirements and all environmental concerns have been satisfied. The cost issue was addressed since maintenance is eliminated on the part of the Public Works Department and the expected life of the EZ Dock system several times over from what Somers Point experienced in the past.

The system is anchored with two pilings and is 6.5′ wide and 110′ in length. A 6′ poly gangway hinged to the first dock makes the transition between the concrete ramp and the floating docks seamless and the docks lay on the concrete ramp during low tide, a design feature from the EZ Dock Engineering Staff.

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Case Studies - Somers Point

Somers Point Boat Ramp
Somers Point Boat Ramp
Anchoring solution
Anchoring solution
Low tide configuration...
Low tide configuration...
110' x 6.5' EZ Dock system
110' x 6.5' EZ Dock system
4 boats can be launched at once
4 boats can be launched at once

Yamaha Dealer Meeting

Yamaha Dealer Meeting

Title and Introduction

Yamaha Motor Corporation has a watercraft division that provides Yamaha Jet Boats and Personal Water Craft through an extensive Yamaha Dealer Network and hosts an annual meeting of all Yamaha Dealers once a year.

Background

The Yamaha Watercraft Division Dealer Meeting is held in a different location each year. The attendees are watercraft dealers located across the world who look forward to a review of the current season and the new product introductions for the next season.

Test vehicles (boats and PWCs) are provided to the Dealers during this meeting which necessitates facilities with waterfront access. Typically these resort locations do not have docking services for boats and PWCs in the quantity required.

Basic Requirements

The watercraft offered by Yamaha and other suppliers make use of a jet drive propulsion system that collects water, pressurizes it and releases it serving as the drive system instead of the traditional propeller driven alternative.

While there are a number of significant advantages of the jet drive system there is a difference in storage requirements for jet drive watercraft, especially in salt water environments. Due to the jet drive system being constantly submersed in the water, the boat or PWC must be stored out of the water when not in use. Customers either trailer the watercraft using a boat ramp to launch and recover after use or they store the watercraft on floating dock systems or boat lifts.

Decision Point

Yamaha installed the EZ Dock System for the meeting pictured below on the Potomac River in Washington, DC. The floating dock system included a floating dock platform which supported changing rooms, a meeting room, docks for PWCs and boat slips for the Jet Boats.

The entire system was installed in two days and following the one week meeting removed for use at another meeting. The weight and modularity of the EZ Dock system provides the flexibility for quick and inexpensive installation and removal. Since the dock consists of 10′ dock sections the configuration can be changed completely to meet the next year’s requirements without discarding any dock section or accessory used previously.

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Case Studies - Yamaha Dealer Meeting

Yamaha Dealer Meeting - Washington DC
Yamaha Dealer Meeting - Washington DC
EZ Docks set up for test rides
EZ Docks set up for test rides
Fuel Dock
Fuel Dock
Jet Boat Slips
Jet Boat Slips
Conference Room
Conference Room
Work areas
Work areas
Another view of Jet Boat slips
Another view of Jet Boat slips
Easily reconfigurable
Easily reconfigurable
Removing the EZ Docks - ready for the next meeting
Removing the EZ Docks - ready for the next meeting