With summer approaching, Lake Arrowhead is filling up with people enjoying the beauty of the lake on their boats or docks. All the time spent on the lake means now is the best time to invest in upgrading your Lake Arrowhead dock. Want to breathe new life into your boat dock? We’ve put together our top tips that will help you revamp it just in time for the warmer weather.
1. Re-Stain the Dock
At times, all your dock needs is a new coat of stain to make it look like new! Not only does a fresh stain make the dock look better, but it also helps it last longer by providing protection from the elements. When it comes to re-staining your dock, a good rule of thumb is to make sure you re-stain it once a year.
2. Replace the Dock Bumper
It’s inevitable that every time you pull into the slip, your boat will likely bump the dock. Over time, this wear and tear will eventually break down the dock bumper. This can result in costly boat repairs if not addressed.
A great way to revamp your dock is to replace your dock bumper giving it a clean look while keeping your boat protected. Be sure to install the bumper wherever a boat will be secured. This will prevent any damage from the boat rubbing against the dock.
3. Invest in Cleats and Dock Lines
Securing your boat to the dock is an often overlooked but critical part of keeping your dock and boat in good shape. A dock not tied up properly can cause premature wear on the dock and damage to your boat. With that said, making sure your cleats and dock lines are in good shape not only makes your dock and boat look good, but it also keeps them protected.
To really elevate your dock’s potential, add or upgrade to stainless steel cleats. Stainless steel dock cleats look excellent and on top of the aesthetic appeal they provide, they won’t rust or break!
4. Replace the Decking
While wood is an excellent, durable option for a dock, it will be constantly exposed to lake water and the elements and when the wood retains too much moisture, it can lead to rotting. Not only does rotting wood affect the appearance of your dock, but it’s also a safety concern.
You can improve the safety and appearance of your dock by simply replacing the decking. However, you may uncover additional damage due to overdue maintenance and exposure to the elements. In this case, you may be better off investing in a brand new dock and starting fresh with a new foundation, decking, and all.
Pro-tip: For a more low maintenance decking option, consider replacing your dock’s decking with composite decking. Composite decking uses a blend of inorganic and organic materials to form deck boards that withstand weathering better than wood decking can.
5. Paint the Metals
Over time, metal rusts due to rain, snow, and lake water. Fresh paint on the metals on your dock can significantly improve the aesthetics of the dock and prevent the metals from further corrosion. Painting rusty metals is an affordable way to drastically improve the cosmetic appearance of your dock and increase the life expectancy of those parts.
6. Add Functional Dock Accessories
Boat dock accessories are an easy way to upgrade the appearance and functionality of your dock! Practical accessories like a dock ladder can make it easier to swim up to your dock after a dip in the lake. You can even add a solar dock box to store towels or fishing gear and have off-site power to charge your phone and boat accessories so you never have to run back to the house.
Try adding cosmetic accessories like LED dock lighting to light up your dock’s walkway at night. You’ll find that some of these cosmetic adjustments will serve practical functions as well. Not only does LED dock lighting brighten up your waterfront at night, but it’ll also help you find your dock after a long day on the lake when the sun goes down.
While the above six tips will transform your dock significantly, the key to keeping your dock in great condition is maintenance. Regular dock maintenance and cosmetic touch-ups will make sure your dock looks great year-round and have your dock neighbors admiring from afar!
Invest in Your New and Improved Dock Today
With these simple upgrades, you can significantly transform your dock. A dock revamp will take your boat dock through the summer and beyond. However, if you find that your dock requires more than just a few cosmetic and maintenance changes, consider investing in a brand new dock with Kiwi Docks!
To learn more about our dock construction, maintenance, or repair services, contact us today!
I like that you said I should consider replacing my dock decking with a composite decking so I wouldn’t have to worry about maintaining it because of weather exposure. We recently bought a lake house a few miles away from the city, and it comes with a wooden dock. My wife wants to have it replaced since it’s old and looks dangerous. Perhaps I should have the wood decking replaced with composite decking by a professional soon. Thanks for the idea!