Marina Dock supplies

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I have built and designed many docks and marinas, I will be starting a small launch ramp dock (6' X 80') in a couple months.  Normally I have ordered my floats from suppliers on the east coast resulting in $2000- $4000 shipping (I usually get a full truck).  I just noticed Home depot is now selling the same brands (Permafloat) I normally use and many other dock parts and has virtually free shipping. I hate to not deal with the marine suppliers that I have done buisiness with in the past, but the price difference is thousands for me.  This might be helpful For those who have posted dock questions in the past, they have virtually everything needed including solar lighting and bumpers.  Prices are slightly higher, but the bottom line is much less when you consider shipping. Just put "dock" in the search bar. Usually I have dealt with Merco marine on the east coast and Henderson Marine on the west coast, and if you are near them they would still be a better choice.
Reply:Nice thanks for the heads up. I'm looking at 2 upcoming dock projects so I will be looking into that
Reply:Firemanmike, Merco does have a very informative catalog and website for help designing if you need.  They are located in west Virginia though, which is bad for me but not quite as far for you.  They have the lowest prices normally, it's just the shipping considering floats cn be the size of refrigerators!
Reply:Thanks for the information.  Good to know.  My son was talking of looking for some floating materials for a possible pier on his lake.
Reply:If water levels remain constant a float type isn't needed, where I build, the docks have to be moved weekly.  Merco has the best info on designing several designs, although my design is diferent than any I have seen. I will probably post it when I start, but that won't be for a month or so.
Reply:I'm looking at doing one for my parents camp that's on a Lake and one that's on a tidal river, I'll most certainly be browsing the merco website l/catalogue
Reply:I would go with the depot and save freight charge , but like every thing else in HD it starts of first rate then is no longer available  or junk. so keep doing some business with your current suppliers.
Reply:I do, I didn't want them to try to match the float order, they will get the next one when I get a full semi.  I don't like the walmart mentality, but for guy's buying two or three floats like some of the projects I've seen here, the shipping can be as much as the float in small quanities.
Reply:tagged boat dock / pier"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I always get mine from permafloat in Atlanta I live in ga so shipping isn't bad I also use a guy in Charlotte NC called waterway marine he is very reasonable on price has permafloat and other supplies his shipping isn't bad
Reply:My supplier is about 3 hours away,so I can pick up enough for small projects.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             but he dosen't usually have the quantity I need.  They still add shipping, I believe from Oaklahoma.  There are several manufactures that pretty much make the same float, so it can vary.  They have had ACE rotomold, permafloat, Den Hartog and others. There were floats made by Hallstein marine in sacramento where they used pour foam in aluminum culvert.  They didn't hold up to well. Some folks may live close to suppliers, especially in river and lake areas. The shipping saved me about $1200 on my upcoming projects plus many times folks have a 10% or so off card for individual purchases.