Floating Docks
What is a floating dock?
A floating dock is a walkway and mooring structure supported by buoyant floats, so it rises and falls with the water level and the deck stays at a constant height above the water. Bellingham Marine builds two families of floating docks: Unifloat® and Unibolt® concrete systems, and Unideck® frame systems in timber, aluminum or steel.
Infinite Solutions
When choosing your floating dock system, it's important to align it with your site and its intended use. The ideal system not only enhances marketability and boosts your business's value but also becomes a source of pride.
Every dock material—whether concrete, wood, or aluminum—comes with its own set of strengths and limitations, along with specific applications where it excels. Explore our range of floating docks to discover the perfect fit for your needs.
As an experienced floating dock builder, Bellingham Marine engineers each system with a modular design that moves with changing water levels, so your dock stays stable through the natural rise and fall of the water.
Quality Engineering
Not all "like" dock systems are made the same. Significant differences exist between each type and their manufacturer. The design, system engineering, and material quality are key factors in a system's performance.
Bellingham docks are recognized worldwide for their exceptional quality, durability, and performance. With over 60 years of experience behind us, you can trust that your project is in capable hands.
Bellingham Marine floating dock systems compared
System | Construction | Key feature | Service life |
|---|---|---|---|
Unifloat® concrete | Single-pour concrete floats joined by structural walers and thru-rods | Modules can be replaced or reconfigured; one of the most economical commercial dock systems | 60+ years |
Unibolt® concrete | Concrete modules joined by a three-part bolted connection | Bolts can be replaced without disconnecting modules; near-zero maintenance | 50+ years |
Unideck® Timber | Heavy-duty timber frame with a structural waler on roto-molded floats | Suited to protected basins, small to mid-sized boats and shallow water | 20+ years |
Unideck® Aluminum Frame | Aluminum frame with framed elastomeric block connections | Clean, modern look with composite or FRP grating decking | 30+ years |
Unideck® Steel Frame | Galvanized steel truss frame supported by flotation tubs | Built for inland and well-protected waters | 35+ years |
Commercial floating docks for marinas and waterfronts
Bellingham Marine designs, manufactures and installs commercial floating docks for marinas, yacht clubs, ports, parks and waterfront developments. Each system is engineered for its site: the water depth, the range between low and high water, the exposure to wind and waves, and the boats it will serve.
A complete floating dock system is more than the floats. It includes:
- Dock modules: concrete floats (Unifloat®, Unibolt®) or a timber, aluminum or steel frame on separate floats (Unideck®).
- Connections: structural walers and thru-rods, bolted connections or framed elastomeric blocks, depending on the system.
- Anchoring: guide piles, telescoping piles, chain or Seaflex moorings, or stiff arms. See how floating docks are anchored.
- Utilities: power, water, lighting and fire protection, which can be routed inside concrete floats.
- Finishes and decking: brushed, stamped or colored concrete, timber, composite or grated decking.
- Wave protection: a floating wave attenuator where the site is exposed.
Floating dock FAQs
What is a floating dock?
A floating dock is a walkway and mooring structure supported by buoyant floats. It rises and falls with the water level, so the deck stays at a constant height above the water.
Which floating dock system lasts the longest?
Concrete. Bellingham Marine’s concrete dock systems have a published service life of 50 to 60+ years, compared with 30+ years for aluminum frame, 35+ years for steel frame and 20+ years for timber frame docks.
What is the difference between Unifloat® and Unideck®?
Unifloat® is a concrete floating dock: each module is a concrete float. Unideck® is a frame dock: a timber, aluminum or steel frame carries the deck and sits on separate floats.
Do floating docks work in tidal or deep water?
Yes. A floating dock moves up and down with the tide, and in deep water it can be held by chain or Seaflex moorings instead of piles.
How are floating docks anchored?
By guide piles, telescoping piles, chain or Seaflex moorings, or stiff arms. The right method depends on water depth, the bed, exposure and the boats served.
What does a floating dock cost?
It depends on the dock system, the size of the project, the site conditions, the anchoring and the utilities. See what determines the cost of a floating dock.
Floating dock guides
Planning a project? These guides explain the main decisions behind a floating dock system.
- Concrete vs. aluminum vs. timber floating docks: how to choose
- Floating docks vs. fixed docks: which is right for your waterfront?
- How floating docks are anchored: piles, chains, Seaflex and stiff arms
- What determines the cost of a floating dock?
- Timber floating docks: where they fit and what to expect
- Repair, retrofit or replace a floating dock: how to decide
- How wave attenuators work, and when a marina needs one
- How long do concrete floating docks last?
- Dry stack boat storage vs. wet slips
Explore Our Custom Waterfront Facilities
We are driven by a commitment to deliver floating structures that seamlessly blend land and water while bringing people together. Dive into our award-winning projects and experience how we are advancing the industry, one dock at a time.
Free Planning and Design Tools Developed for Marina Owners and Operators
Financial Planning
Planning for the long-term growth and financial success of your marina means forward-thinking. Our interactive financial planning tools help you to anticipate and budget for future infrastructure improvements.
Layout and Dock Selection
Our top priority is to help you build your dream marina. From choosing the right docks to optimizing the layout, we have resources to assist you during every step, ensuring your project’s success from start to finish.
Other Design Resources
For your marina’s lasting success, getting the construction right from the start is essential. That’s why we’ve compiled a variety of design resources, showcasing the options available to you.
Enhance Your Waterfront Experience with Our Custom Floating Docks
Wanting to start a project have a question about our floating docks? We’re here to help.
