Dock pricing

[h2osk8er00]

Looking for a used dock and wondering how to determine the value of such. It’s a difficult market but I cannot afford brand new. I’m really limited to what’s available on my lake and this is the only think I have been able to find in my price range. Initial, a vendor tried to sell this on consignment to me but wanted $15K! I was able to talk to the owner of the dock and work through him though. I have also had 3 people quote me from $15K and up for a new dock.. lastly, I do not want to build a dock as I’m limited in time as it is and just want to be able to enjoy the water already as we are new to lake front living. Anyway, I found a dock a guy is selling because he has a new one pictures to the right. He wanted $8K but I was able to counter at $4K and we agreed on $5K. It’s been Bice because he is in no rush for money so I have time to back out if needed. However, before I make the jump I wanted to consider what the TO community thinks. Boat fits in it perfectly and I walked up and down it to check it out as best I could for weak spots and such. It seems very stable and a great find considering my lack of options (and money)... does need a little TLC though. What do y’all think about the price tag and is there anything I should be leery about? Needs some new floatation at the initial walkway and some new paint and sanding and staining to polish it up and get some more life but that is all stuff I can handle. [ATTACH]50520[/ATTACH]


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[Ruger761]

For our lake $5k is pretty cheap for an all steel frame dock even with aging foam. Keep in mind all new floats on most lakes are required to be encapsulated which can add up fast. My main question would be water access, unless your moving it. I would make sure you have 100% legal access to the land the dock is on no matter who owns the houses in front of it. Add a lift to it, little TLC and looks like you would be good to go.

I have used this place in the past when we built my brothers new dock, good people to work with or at least it was for us http://tigerdocks.com/

[h2osk8er00]

Well that makes me feel a little better about spending that much money on something used/aging. I have been slowly learning about the foam and how it’s an old and no longer authorized type of floatation for new docks. However, since it’s older and it’s grandfathered in I am okay to use it. On our lake we have no one really policing the docks that I’m aware of but new builds definitely use more eco-friendly products instead. As per the land, I would be moving the dock. We have about 60 feet of lake frontage and a boat ramp here at my house. I appreciate your feedback and that site has some beautiful docks that would be great to have. Thanks for sharing that! Here is a picture of where I’ll be putting it...

[Ruger761]

That's a nice place, makes me a little jealous.

Correct you should be grandfathered in with the existing floats, just any replacements have to be the new ones. They might make you add a hand rail as well, which isn't a bad idea anyways. Make sure when you move it that it has the underwater pipe connecting the open ends of the slip.

[bsreid]

That is definitely a good price for a covered boat slip. Buy it and put a little work into it and you should golden. Majorly jealous of you at the moment.

[Powday]

Off topic, but I have to ask...what's the lake and location? Water clarity and surrounding area looks beautiful...

[h2osk8er00]

That is definitely a good price for a covered boat slip. Buy it and put a little work into it and you should golden. Majorly jealous of you at the moment.

Thanks for the input! I just want to try to have a great summer without buying a dock that is worth more than my boat! Everyone is always welcome to the great state of Texas! I am just trying to do what I can to enjoy the lifestyle I have dreamed as a kid... Thankfully the military has taken care of us thus far.... USA!

That's a nice place, makes me a little jealous.

Correct you should be grandfathered in with the existing floats, just any replacements have to be the new ones. They might make you add a hand rail as well, which isn't a bad idea anyways. Make sure when you move it that it has the underwater pipe connecting the open ends of the slip.

Thank for the input but can you describe the underwater pipe deal you mentioned? I am guessing this is something I will have to custom make and keeps the dock more rigid/secure while moving it? Thanks a mil for the kind words and the feedback...Look forward to finally getting it in front of out house! Been waiting since September to find something in my price range!

[h2osk8er00]

It is outside San Antonio, Texas called Medina Lake.. we bough in Lakehills Texas late last summer.. Lake is really clean and I can see easily 12-15 feet down in most areas... it is an Agricultural lake that gets used for crops south of here. The unfortunate side is if it doesn't rain enough then boating can be non-existent as the lake can plummet in a summer... We had some good rains though so summer is LOOKING GOOD! KNOCK ON WOOD!

Off topic, but I have to ask...what's the lake and location? Water clarity and surrounding area looks beautiful...

[bsreid]

Being in Texas I feel like you might want a boat lift. Before buying it I would check and see if you can fit one inside, might be tight.

[Ruger761]

Thank for the input but can you describe the underwater pipe deal you mentioned? I am guessing this is something I will have to custom make and keeps the dock more rigid/secure while moving it? Thanks a mil for the kind words and the feedback...Look forward to finally getting it in front of out house! Been waiting since September to find something in my price range!

Its basically a big U that goes under the water about 4ft and connects the ends together to keep it from spreading open. It really helps when you have a lift as it would bind up if the opening changes. Forgot to mention make it detachable as it will rust and need to be changed out every 5-10 years depending on your lake.

[IDBoating]

If the frame is in good shape, I'd say $5K is a great price. Plan on redecking the whole thing with composite decking (no splinters in little feet), a reasonable 1-2 weekend project, and it will be beautiful.

[h2osk8er00]

Its basically a big U that goes under the water about 4ft and connects the ends together to keep it from spreading open. It really helps when you have a lift as it would bind up if the opening changes. Forgot to mention make it detachable as it will rust and need to be changed out every 5-10 years depending on your lake.

Thanks. I will look into it. Not planning on fitting it for a lift. Would probably sell it and buy a new construction dock. That is my 5 year game plan. This gets me on the water the next 3-5 summers hopefully.


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[h2osk8er00]

If the frame is in good shape, I'd say $5K is a great price. Plan on redecking the whole thing with composite decking (no splinters in little feet), a reasonable 1-2 weekend project, and it will be beautiful.

Everything appears and rely solid. Jumped up and down on that thing and couldn’t get it to move. I was really surprised actually. Guy is throwing in the cable and anchor and some axel that he uses to keep it put. Plan on engineering a nice reel system to move the dock in and out. About a 300 dollar investment but with the lake fluctuates a lot.


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[h2osk8er00]

Ended up getting the dock. Needs a lot of love but it fit in front of the house perfectly. I will surely be using the heck out of it this summer and worth every penny to me! Thanks for all the inputs. Ended up hiring a professional to move it as well to set it.


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[IDBoating]

Beautiful spot. Good choice on the dock, too. A little effort and it will serve you well for many years.