Dock Floats
Dock floats for new floating docks and for replacing waterlogged or damaged floats that leave a dock sitting low. Shop DPI rotomolded, foam-filled dock floats, DPI boat lift tanks and a float hardware kit sized to mount one float. DPI floats attach to wood, steel or aluminum frames. Blue Ridge Boat Docks, a dock builder in Marion, IL, uses these floats on the docks it builds and offers float replacement across the Midwest.
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Dock Floats
Dock floats for new floating docks and for replacing waterlogged or damaged floats that leave a dock sitting low. Shop DPI rotomolded, foam-filled dock floats, DPI boat lift tanks and a float hardware kit sized to mount one float. DPI floats attach to wood, steel or aluminum frames. Blue Ridge Boat Docks, a dock builder in Marion, IL, uses these floats on the docks it builds and offers float replacement across the Midwest.
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Choosing the Right Dock Floats
Floats decide how high a dock rides and how it handles a crowd. Picking the right ones means knowing how much weight they need to carry and how they will attach to your frame.
How DPI floats are built
- One-piece rotomolded polyethylene shell with UV inhibitors and a nominal .150 in. wall.
- Filled with closed-cell EPS foam, so a punctured shell still floats.
- Flat top with molded-in mounting slots for wood, steel or aluminum frames.
- Rated for fresh and salt water, for residential docks and marinas, and made in the USA.
Figure out how much flotation you need
DPI buoyancy ratings vary by float size, from about 200 lb to over 3,000 lb. To size a dock, add the dead load (the weight of the frame, decking and anything permanent) to the live load (people, coolers, gear). The floats' combined rating needs to cover both with room to spare, or the dock will ride low when it's busy.
Replacing old floats
If a dock sits low on one side, check for floats that have taken on water, cracked, or lost foam. Before ordering, measure the old float's length, width and height and the spacing of the frame members it bolts to. Note how many floats are under the dock and where.
Hardware
The dock float hardware kit mounts one float. It includes four 3/8 in. all-thread bolts 3 in. long, four lock nuts and eight 2 in. galvanized float washers that spread pressure across the mounting flange. Order one kit per float.
Common mistakes
- Counting only the dock's weight and forgetting the live load.
- Reusing rusted hardware on new floats.
- Replacing one float and leaving the others that are failing.
Shop DPI dock floats and DPI boat lift tanks, or pair new floats with a galvanized dock frame. For float replacement on an existing dock, see our dock services or call 618-294-6905.
Dock Floats FAQ
How do I know if my dock floats need replacing?
A dock that sits low, tilts to one side or keeps getting lower through the season often has floats that are cracked, waterlogged or losing foam. Look under the dock at each float. Blue Ridge Boat Docks offers float replacement across Southern Illinois and nearby states if you would rather have it done.
How much flotation does my dock need?
Add the dead load, meaning the weight of the frame, decking and anything permanent, to the live load of people and gear. The floats' combined buoyancy rating should cover both with margin to spare. DPI ratings vary by float size, from about 200 lb to more than 3,000 lb.
What frames do DPI dock floats attach to?
DPI floats have a flat top with molded-in mounting slots and a wide flange, and they install on wood, steel or aluminum dock frames. Blue Ridge Boat Docks sells a hardware kit with the bolts, lock nuts and galvanized washers to mount one float to a frame.
Will a foam-filled dock float sink if it is punctured?
DPI floats are filled with closed-cell EPS foam inside a polyethylene shell, so a punctured shell still floats. The encapsulated foam also keeps beads of foam out of the water. A badly damaged float should still be replaced to keep the dock level.
Can I pick up dock floats in Marion?
Yes. Floats can be picked up free at Blue Ridge Boat Docks, 14670 Pittsburg Road, Marion, IL. Local delivery is $100 within 50 driving miles and $200 within 100. Delivery with installation is also available, and freight outside that range is quoted after you order.