Lift dock

[CigarGuy]

Looking at getting a new lift dock.  Have checked pricing with Manicks, Eagle and Wright.  All are similar in price, one delivers free and will take my old dock, that's a pretty good savings.  Do any of you have experience with any of these builders?  Also, looking at getting a "L" on the end.  Only need about 25" long.  I have to pour a cement base.  They all charge approx $1000.00 for the slab which is about 1-1/3 yards of concrete.  I have a big hill to go down, so it would be a bummer carrying bags down the hill and mixing it.  I'm sure I'll save some money doing it myself, just wondering if any of you have done your own slab and how much did it cost?  Also, do any of them have any discounts at the sports shows in the spring?   BTW, my old dock is a mickey mouse permanent setup.   Thanks.

[PSU]

We have been pleased working with Wright Docks over the years

[Capt. Quicksteel]

Definitely Wright. His service is spectacular and you can't put a price on that!

[RoosterMan]

Cigar guy. I just had a new dock put in by Eric at Eagle docks and his service was excellent and the product is excellent. 

[VermilionGold]

I have had two docks installed by Eagle docks, service and workmanship were excellent.

[norwaybay]

I have two docks one by Wright that has an L-shape end and one by Mannick.  Both good docks but one by Wright seems more sturdy.  I'm in Norwegian bay if you want to look and compare.  

[Wheres_Walter]

Eric at Eagle has always done a very nice job for us.

Matt

[CigarGuy]

Thanks everyone for getting back to me.  Did any of you do your own cement base?  It will save me about $1000.00, but I'll (my kids) will have to hall about 75, 60lb bags of quikrete!  Norwaybay-pm sent.

[delcecchi]

How are you going to mix 75 bags of quickcrete?  

[Cliff Wagenbach]

16 minutes ago, delcecchi said:

How are you going to mix 75 bags of quickcrete?  

If by hand you are in for a lot of heavy work! If you have a mixer, not quite as much work.

Cliff

[CigarGuy]

I was thinking of getting a couple of plastic kiddy pools and having 2 crews mixing.  Do you think we can get it mixed/poured properly?  Hate to go thru all the work and make a bad batch.  Neighbor does have a mixer, but just about impossible to get it to the spot.

[delcecchi]

I have done two projects over the years that involved mixing concrete in a tub (they make special plastic tubs for this purpose).  Used a hoe to mix.  One was for the slab on a 10 by 10 shed, and the other was when I put drain tile in the basement.   It takes a long time to mix a couple bags with a hoe.  Maybe 10 minutes. 

Also I am not sure that wading pools will hold up.  The special tubs are much thicker and you can pour the mixed concrete out of them.   I don't know how you would get it out of a wading pool.  

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Concrete-Cement-Masonry-Concrete-Tools-Mixers-Concrete-Mixing-Tubs-Pans/N-5yc1vZaq89

Can you get your hands on a pontoon to bring the mixer and quick crete to the site from the public landing?  I think it would be worth the trouble...

Edited July 23, 2016 by delcecchi

[Sculpin]

I have used a paddle mixer attachment that runs off a drill, a bag in a five gallon bucket goes very quickly. We just did ten bags on a small gate project, and I was amazed at how fast that attachment mixed. Also, If you can find a regular masons mixing hoe, with the big holes in it, that's a big help also.

[SkunkedAgain]

Cigar Guy,

While up last weekend I noticed your brand new steps. It sure looks like you're developing a nice setup there. Good luck with the dock and slab. I don't have any recommendations.

[delcecchi]

New steps?  Now I know what to look for.  

Sorry, too old to carry heavy loads....

[CigarGuy]

On ‎7‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 0:40 PM, SkunkedAgain said:

Cigar Guy,

While up last weekend I noticed your brand new steps. It sure looks like you're developing a nice setup there. Good luck with the dock and slab. I don't have any recommendations.

Thanks,  Been a summer of work!  Steps and power washing/staining the cabin and garage.  Have to wait for the dock before we finish the landing by the lake.  It is a much-needed update!

21 hours ago, delcecchi said:

New steps?  Now I know what to look for.  

Sorry, too old to carry heavy loads....

But Del, It's only 58 steps!  Not to mention-downhill!

[CigarGuy]

On ‎7‎/‎19‎/‎2016 at 10:17 AM, norwaybay said:

I have two docks one by Wright that has an L-shape end and one by Mannick.  Both good docks but one by Wright seems more sturdy.  I'm in Norwegian bay if you want to look and compare.  

Wright doesn't want to go that far west.  Suggested  Manicks.

[delcecchi]

21 hours ago, CigarGuy said:

Thanks,  Been a summer of work!  Steps and power washing/staining the cabin and garage.  Have to wait for the dock before we finish the landing by the lake.  It is a much-needed update!

But Del, It's only 58 steps!  Not to mention-downhill!

If it is the place with the brand new steps with the Alumacraft with 115, next to the place on the point with the sculptures, those steps only go half way up the hill.    You really need to come in by water, unless you are much hardier than I ever was...  75 bags at 80 pounds?  That's three tons.  4 or 6 trips by boat/pontoon.  

A grand is starting to look cheap.  (emoticon of exhausted guy here)

[Barometer]

Does anybody lift there docks out and put in themselves, or do you pay to have it done? 

[CigarGuy]

50 minutes ago, delcecchi said:

If it is the place with the brand new steps with the Alumacraft with 115, next to the place on the point with the sculptures, those steps only go half way up the hill.    You really need to come in by water, unless you are much hardier than I ever was...  75 bags at 80 pounds?  That's three tons.  4 or 6 trips by boat/pontoon.  

A grand is starting to look cheap.  (emoticon of exhausted guy here)

The top part is a gradual slope-about a 1/3rd the distance of the steps-a gentle " walk in the park"......  That is, compared to the stairway to Heaven!  I'm all for paying the extra to have it done, but my wife who won't touch a thing, thinks we should do it ourselves. I don't have access to a pontoon.  If we could ever get the folks were trying to buy the dock from to return our emails, we might have a new dock on order!  Not that it makes much difference, but the bags were only 60lbs :).  It's too bad a hillside lift is about 30,000.00.  If we stay there until I'm "old and grayer", I will have a lift. 

47 minutes ago, Barometer said:

Does anybody lift there docks out and put in themselves, or do you pay to have it done? 

The first lift-out is free after that they charge.  I bought an electric winch to do it myself once I get the dock.  Many people do it themselves.

[delcecchi]

I have a vintage roll out dock, and do it with the help of the neighbors.  Usually pull it up the ramp with a car, but last year two neighbor guys pushed it up by hand before I could get the car...  Eddie is strong like bull. 

[PortageBay]

Barometer:  I have 3 lift docks (one with "L") and one small straight dock that connects two of the lift docks.  We put in and take out all of the docks. We also hire a barge to pull out our boat lifts.

[Barometer]

18 hours ago, PortageBay said:

Barometer:  I have 3 lift docks (one with "L") and one small straight dock that connects two of the lift docks.  We put in and take out all of the docks. We also hire a barge to pull out our boat lifts.

I purchased a place that has lift docks and rails by Eagle that are real nice, but obviously heavy. I’m planning on rigging up equipment to lift those myself too, so just curious what other have done.

[VermilionGold]

We have two 48' docks, one has a 12'x8' "L".  Due to the weight and depth of water the L section needs to be moved via barge along with our 2 lifts.  Up to this point I have had them raise and lower our docks while they are there as well.  The service is not cheap, but then again it is hard to put a price on two additional weekends at the cabin not working on stuff.

[delcecchi]

When does the humping of bags start?  I want to come watch

[CigarGuy]

41 minutes ago, delcecchi said:

When does the humping of bags start?  I want to come watch

I sent out invitations to help last week-you were the first one on my list!  Still waiting for your response!  Seriously though, I had a run-in with the cable on my boat lift and my left index finger-my finger lost.  Ten stitches, almost lost my finger tip, spent 4 hours in Cook hospital.  Went in yesterday to have the stitches removed, Doc wants me to see hand specialist next Monday to see if any nerve damage.  Might have to wait for the bill to see if the dock is in the cards this year or next.  Regardless, the dock people will be pouring the slab-your off the hook Del. 

[delcecchi]

Sorry, I missed the email/snail mail.  I had a new SD card in the camera and the batteries charged.  I was ready to become famous with a viral video on youtube.  

Sorry to hear about your finger.  The cook hospital guys are great.  They took good care of me last summer.

I had an abdominal hematoma and got a ambulance ride to duluth and a couple days of vacation in a nice hospital room.  I think the total bill was under 200 bucks, counting the ride and the cat scan.  But I am old and on medicare. 

Take care of yourself and don't wave your finger at me when I go by....