Q&A

Both are excellent choices. It really depends on your body of water and the use of your docks to determine whether you need dock posts or floating docks. Dock posts are obviously much more stable than floating docks, as the latter are at the mercy of wind and waves. If you need to moor a boat to your docks, dock posts are not recommended since the boat will continuously exert pressure on the docks due to the wind and waves, even if you use mooring whips. This poses a risk of damage to both the docks and your boat.

We recommend dock posts when you have less than 6 feet of water at the end of your docks. However, if you are on a lake or river with frequent water level fluctuations, a floating dock might be the better option, even if you have less than 6 feet of water.

There are several reasons, but the main one is that if you have more than 6 feet of water depth, a floating dock is often the best option. Secondly, if you want to permanently moor a boat, dock posts are not a good option; a floating dock will be better suited for this use as it will follow the movement of your boat. Thirdly, if your body of water fluctuates significantly during the season, the floating dock will adjust to the water level.

We offer two options: either with sliding sleeves for posts or with chains and weights at the bottom of the water. The ideal method is to use chains and bottom anchors (weights). The more weight you use, the less the docks will move. Use 3/8 galvanized chain and calculate double the chain length relative to the water depth. So, if there are 10 feet of water depth, use at least 20 feet of chain and install them in an X pattern under your docks. For example, attach the chain to the left side of the dock but place the weight on the right side, passing the chain under the dock.

The first question we will ask you is the dry weight of your boat. Then, you need to add the weight of the engine, gasoline, oil, accessories, etc. Everything that might be in your boat when it is on the lift. The length of your boat does not matter much as it will extend beyond the lift, which is 10 feet long.

If it is a new purchase, you need to adjust your bunks (the supports for the boat), or your pontoon ladders, as well as the guides. You can refer to your boat trailer, which probably also has bunks, and place those on the lift at the same distance. It is always good to check if your pulleys turn well before putting the lift in the water each season. Once the lift is in the water, where you want it, it is very important to level it. It cannot be perfect since the adjustment on the 4 legs is done in 3-inch increments, but try to make it as level as possible. If you want a slight slope towards the back of your boat, adjust the height of your bunks, not the frame of the lift. You can use one more hole at the front of your boat compared to the back.
 

It is important to remove your docks and lift from the water for the winter. The movement of ice, which is very powerful, can damage your docks and lift. The warranty does not apply to products left in the water during the winter. You can leave your dock and lift structures directly on your land under the snow for the winter. But be careful not to turn your structures upside down as they have water escape holes. If water gets into your structures during the winter, the ice will force the aluminum, and there is a risk of breakage. For your western red cedar panels, it is ideal to store them in a dry place, such as a garage or shed. If this is not possible, it is not a problem, but place them on a piece of wood, vertically, covered with a tarp. This way, you will preserve them longer. To make it easier, do not remove the legs from the dock structures for the winter. When you put your docks back in the water next spring, keeping the same configuration, you will have much fewer adjustments to make to level them.

No. Western red cedar is the ideal wood for outdoor use and does not require any treatment. However, you can stain it simply for aesthetics. After a few months, the wood will turn gray, but this does not affect its quality. It is necessary to store it properly in the winter to extend its lifespan, which should be 12 to 15 years.

All our products are made from aluminum, making our structures light and very durable. Except for the Sunwalk coating (reinforced polyurethane), all our pavers are removable, which greatly facilitates installation and removal. Regarding our lifts, the 5500lb model weighs 575lbs, so our lift wheel system is a very popular option among our customers.

Since we are the manufacturer of Les Quais du Phare products, we have an excellent network of distributors across the province of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, the Maritimes, and the northeastern United States. I invite you to visit our "Points of Sale" page to find the distributor nearest to you.