How to Choose the Right Dock for Your Michigan Waterfront

Choosing a dock is about more than deciding how long or wide it should be. The right dock must fit your shoreline, lake bottom, water depth, exposure to waves and plans for using the space. A system that works well on a firm, sandy lake may not be the best option for a property with deep muck or fluctuating water levels. 

Michigan waterfronts vary widely, from calm inland lakes with gradual sandy beaches to deep northern lakes, uneven rocky shorelines and exposed properties along the Great Lakes. Before purchasing a dock, take time to understand the conditions at your property and compare the available dock styles. 

Start With Your Lake Bottom 

Your lake bottom is one of the most important factors in choosing a dock. Dock legs, footpads and wheels must be able to support the structure without sinking excessively or shifting throughout the season. 

Keep in mind that this is a guide. A proper consultation with your local Action Water Sports Dock & Lift team will ensure you are heading in the right direction for your waterfront.

What Dock Is Best for a Sandy Bottom? 

A firm, sandy bottom with a gradual slope is one of the easiest conditions for a dock installation. In this situation, a roll-in dock is often a convenient choice. 

Roll-in docks are supported by legs with wheels, allowing the dock to be assembled near shore and rolled into the water. This makes spring installation and fall removal easier, especially when the shoreline is open and relatively level. 

FLOE roll-in docks are a strong option for sandy shorelines. They are available with wheels or sand pads, depending on how the dock will be installed and supported. FLOE’s Easy-Level system also allows the dock height to be adjusted from above using a cordless drill. This can make it easier to level the dock without repeatedly entering the water. 

ShoreStation offers freestanding supports for properties where the bottom becomes more uneven farther from shore. 

Harbor Master’s Elite Quick Connect Dock can be configured with wheels or footpads. Wheels simplify seasonal installation on a suitable shoreline, while footpads provide a larger, stationary base.  

Keep in mind that not every sandy bottom is firm. Very loose sand may allow narrow legs or small footpads to settle over time. Larger footpads or wheels can distribute the dock’s weight across a wider area. 

What Dock Is Best for a Mucky Bottom? 

Muck requires additional planning because it may be several inches—or several feet—deep before reaching a supportive layer. A dock that appears level during installation may gradually sink as its legs settle into the lake bottom. 

Start by measuring both the water depth and the depth of the muck. Push a long pole into the bottom until it reaches firm material. Measure how far it travels through the soft layer. This gives your dock professional a better understanding of the leg length and support system required. 

For moderately soft bottoms, large footpads can help spread the dock’s weight. FLOE also offers different wheel options for varying lake-bottom conditions. Its airtight mud wheel is designed for dense mud where settling is expected to exceed four inches. Because the wheel adds buoyancy, it can also make installation and removal easier. 

When the muck is especially deep, a floating dock may be the better choice. A floating dock does not rely on conventional legs to support its full weight. Instead, the platform is supported by floats and secured with an appropriate anchoring or guide-post system. 

Twin Bay floating docks are specifically designed for deep or fluctuating water. Wave Armor is another strong floating option. Its modular polyethylene sections can be configured around the shoreline and paired with floating ports for personal watercraft. FLOE also offers floating systems for properties with deep water, soft bottoms or changing water levels. 

A floating dock will move slightly as people walk on it. Wider sections, platforms and slip-style configurations can improve stability. The anchoring system must also be selected for the water depth, bottom conditions and expected wave activity. 

Consider the Slope of Your Shoreline 

A roll-in dock works best when it has a relatively clear path into the lake. A steep drop-off, retaining wall, rocky entry or limited installation area can make rolling a large dock difficult. 

Sectional docks are often better for steep or challenging shorelines. Individual sections can be carried or floated into position and supported by independently adjustable legs. They also require less open shoreline space for offseason storage. 

Bulmann’s Legacy Dock is a modular sectional system that can be configured for many types of lakefront properties. Harbor Master offers lightweight aluminum dock systems with adjustable leg assemblies, removable decking and several layout options. FLOE sectional docks connect without traditional hard bolting, and their legs and braces can be removed so the sections stack more compactly during the winter. 

Plan for Water Depth and Changing Water Levels 

Measure the water depth at several points along the proposed dock path. Do not measure only at the shoreline and at the end. A hidden drop-off or underwater ridge can affect the required leg configuration. 

Your dock should extend far enough to reach usable water, but longer is not automatically better. Additional length adds weight, cost and more work during seasonal removal. It can also increase the dock’s exposure to wind and waves. 

Adjustable-leg docks are helpful on inland lakes with moderate seasonal changes. Twin Bay offers several adjustable-leg sizes, while Harbor Master’s Elite system includes multiple leg assemblies for shallow through deeper installations. FLOE, ShoreStation, Summit Marine and other modular aluminum systems also provide adjustment options for different depths. 

For significant fluctuations, a floating dock can maintain a more consistent height above the water. This makes floating systems especially appealing for reservoirs, rivers or shorelines where the water level changes substantially during the boating season. 

Think About Waves, Wind and Boat Traffic 

A protected cove presents different demands than an open shoreline exposed to wind, wakes or large waves. Long, narrow docks can experience more movement and stress when waves strike from the side. 

Flow-through decking allows water and air to pass through the dock surface, reducing some of the upward pressure caused by waves. Twin Bay’s flow-through diamond decking is designed to minimize the effects of wind and waves while providing a slip-resistant, UV-protected surface. Summit Marine also offers removable PVC flow-through decking on its marine-grade aluminum dock systems. 

On rougher shorelines, the frame, bracing, supports and anchoring become especially important. A wider platform may feel more stable, but every configuration must be designed for the property’s exposure. Great Lakes waterfronts and other highly exposed locations may require specialized engineering, anchoring and permitting rather than a standard inland-lake installation. 

Decide How You Will Use the Dock 

Some docks primarily provide access to a boat lift. Others become the property’s main gathering space. 

If the dock will be used for swimming, consider a ladder, stairs and a wider end platform. Families with kayaks or paddleboards may benefit from storage racks and a low-access area. If you plan to entertain, an L-shaped or T-shaped configuration can provide room for chairs without blocking the main walkway. 

Twin Bay offers customizable patios in several sizes, along with benches, steps, kayak racks and other accessories. Harbor Master docks can be arranged in L or T shapes and equipped with seating, tables, ladders, bumpers and watersports storage. FLOE’s modular system includes sundecks, wedges, ramps and multiple layout options. 

ShoreStation docks are also modular, allowing sections and accessories to be added as your needs change. Its systems can integrate with ShoreStation boat lifts, which may be helpful if you want a consistent dock-and-lift layout. 

Think about how people will move between the shore, dock and boat. The lift should be positioned so passengers can board safely and reach the controls without stretching across an uncomfortable gap. 

Compare Decking Options 

Decking affects appearance, maintenance, traction, temperature and weight. 

Aluminum is durable, low-maintenance and relatively lightweight. Flow-through vinyl or PVC can remain comfortable underfoot while allowing water to move through the surface. Polypropylene and polyethylene options provide slip resistance without splinters. Cedar offers a traditional appearance but generally requires more maintenance than aluminum or synthetic decking. 

Twin Bay offers flow-through vinyl, virtual wood and cedar options. Harbor Master offers aluminum, plastic, pine and cedar decking on its Traditional Dock, while the Elite system uses removable polypropylene panels. ShoreStation uses non-skid aluminum planking designed to remain comfortable for bare feet. Summit Marine combines aluminum frames with removable flow-through decking. 

Removable panels can significantly reduce the weight of a dock section during installation. They can also make cleaning and winter storage easier. 

Remember Michigan’s Winter Conditions 

In most Michigan locations, docks should be removed before ice forms. Moving ice can bend frames, damage floats, pull out supports or push an entire dock out of position. Wave Armor, for example, recommends removing docks and ports when ice is present. 

Consider the complete seasonal process before choosing a system. Where will the dock be stored? Can equipment reach the shoreline? How many people will help? Would professional installation and removal be more practical? 

Roll-in systems can simplify removal when there is a clear path and adequate storage space. Sectional systems break into smaller pieces but require more individual handling. Floating docks may be disconnected and moved, but their size and anchoring can make professional service worthwhile. 

Michigan EGLE states that seasonal docks and hoists on inland lakes generally do not require a permit when they are for private, noncommercial use, do not interfere with other water users or water flow and are not placed in wetlands. Permanent structures and projects on Great Lakes bottomlands may require permits, so property owners should verify state, local and association requirements before installation. 

Choosing Among the Brands Available at Action Water Sports 

Action Water Sports carries several dock and lift brands across its Michigan locations: 

• Traverse City: Twin Bay, Bulmann, ShoreStation and CraftLander 
• Fenton: Bulmann, FLOE and Summit Marine 
• Hudsonville: Bulmann, Harbor Master, Summit Marine, Twin Bay, Wave Armor and FLOE 

Before making a final decision, schedule a shoreline evaluation with the dock and lift team at your nearest Action Water Sports location. We can evaluate your lake bottom, water depth, shoreline angle, wave exposure, boat lift and intended use to help design a complete waterfront system. With the right dock in place, your shoreline can become a safer, more convenient and more enjoyable place for bringing your family together on the water.