Walers and Thru-Rods Make Use of New Materials in Dock Construction

The 2017 has been an exciting year for new materials in dock construction. By Robert Wilkes Two new Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) applications have emerged from years of R&D development and are on the market. In the fast-growing market of wood and aluminum docks, a handsome and rugged hybrid dock that combines the best of […]

Rybovich Poised for Growth in Superyachts

By Robert Wilkes Having bought Rybovich in 2004, Wayne Huizenga, Jr., made a multi-million dollar gamble. He thought his location in West Palm Beach, Florida, had the potential to attract large yachts from around the world. His vision for a superyacht marina and service center had not been executed on this level before. On the […]

Marinas Designed to Appeal to Millennials

Learn how to attract Millennials to your marina. Think functional luxury. There are some simple features you can incorporate into the design of your marina that will appeal to the Millennial generation. By Roxie Comstock High-spending Baby Boomers, floating concrete docks and affordable fiberglass boats built the boating and marina industries we know today. That […]

Marinas as Stewards of the Environment

Marinas around the world have stepped-up to the call to be good environmental stewards. Responsible waterfront development can benefit the environment. Did you know a marina could actually enhance biological diversity and improve water quality? Concrete docks especially are beneficial to marine life. By Robert Wilkes Here is one view of marinas as stewards of […]

Beautifully Executed Waterfront Development: The Wharf

The Wharf District includes new marinas, public piers and launch docks

The waterfront of the United State’s capital is being transformed into a masterful work. Find out how #WharfDC is using DC’s unique waterfront location to build community pride and position the city for economic growth. by Robert Wilkes It’s a familiar story around the world. The once bustling waterfront, the city’s gateway to the world, […]

Waterfront Development Attracts New Boaters

Concrete docks with rounded fingers appeal to new boaters.

As stewards of the marine lifestyle, it is important that we continually draw in new crowds to keep the industry alive. Find out how The Yards marina opened the DC waterfront up to a whole new generation of boating enthusiasts. By Robert Wilkes Children splashing under a waterfall in an enormous wading pool, a parade of […]

From Home-Grown to High-Tech on a Maori Lake

By Robert Wilkes Caution: this is a story of marina redevelopment and expansion in New Zealand that contains a number of challenging Māori names. Be undaunted. It’s an inspirational story well worth the effort. Lake Taupō is considered the “beating heart” of the North Island by Māori. The lake bed is formed by a huge […]

A Conversation About Wave Attenuation

Wave attenuator design is becoming more critical than ever to the success of your marina. Learn from the experts what you need to know when it comes to attenuator design. By Robert Wilkes Floating   wave   attenuators are a recurring subject in Marina Dock Age. Jack Cox wrote about them in “Revisiting Marina Design Standards” in the […]

Specialty Docks Designed for Paddle Boat Use

Get on board with the paddle boat trend and unlock a new revenue stream for your marina. The idea that marinas are only for the privileged can be a harmful attitude. By Robert Wilkes To many in our communities, the local marina is as distant and forbidding as Area 51. From the outside looking in, they […]

Lesson Learned From Hurricane Matthew About Marina Design

Hurricanes are dramatic. Each marina in the path of the storm has a different story to tell. These stories help us learn about engineering, design, preparadness and planning. By Robert Wilkes In the December issue, the Marina Dock Age report about damage from the storm highlighted the importance of good communications before and after a […]