Tips For Buying A Used Dock System

When buying a used dock, the first thing you need to ask yourself is how we are going to use this dock.  Is it just to get out to my boat, are you adding a boat and if so, do you need a slip, will the family be hanging out on the dock, do I need to get out to my favorite fishing hole.   Then you need to decide how long of a dock you need, the best place to start is do you have an existing dock.  If not check how long your neighbor's dock is, talk to them and ask what they like about their dock and what they would change if they could?  Check out our blog about sectional dock vs. Wheel-in.
Once you decide on dock length and layout you will need to determine a budget.  New docks depending on quality and decking run from anywhere to $130 to $240 a linear foot.  A used dock is typically half the cost of new.  So, figure between $65 and $120 a foot for a good used dock.  For example, you need 100 feet of dock you should budget at least $9500{Don’t forget if you want a platform that would also need to be included in the length estimate}.   

You now know about how much dock you need and an approximate budget, if your lake place is near a dock dealer this is a good time to visit and get a new dock price on what you hope to find used.  This will give you a great starting point, and if time is an issue, you may need to consider going new.  It can also help you determine if anything needs to be replaced or added on the used dock how much it will cost.  Then see what is available used.  See what their prices are like, check and see if they have any coming in on trade.  The nice thing about purchasing from a dealer is they will typically back up their sales and install and deliver, docks can be hard to move.   

​Another place to check is with the neighbors, where did they get their dock, is anybody selling their home nearby and might want to sell the dock separate from the house. Craig's list or Facebook marketplace are also good places to look. 

When you find a dock you like, inspect closely the structure, are the welds holding up? or are they cracking.  This can be best seen where the docks connect together.  Are the dock legs long enough for your needs, do the adjustment still work? If not keep in mind you may have to purchase additional leg material, screw legs or bolts.  Can the dock be reconfigured to meet your needs.  The next item to look at closely is the decking, deck panels are the most expensive component of a dock.  If it has wood decking you will typically have to replace the wood in the near term, are you willing to do that and has it been factored into the price.  If it has a plastic decking or aluminum deck what condition is that in?  If not, how much will it cost to replace the decking? If the decking needs to be replaced soon you will likely be better off buying new.   ​

Once you have selected a dock you need to figure out how to get it to your lake place.  The best way to haul a dock is to separate all the sections and remove the legs.  The dock can then be placed flat on a trailer, transported, and hauled down to your lakeshore.  You will need a trailer hopefully at least 5 feet longer than your longest section, that way you can stack the decking on the front end of the trailer.  

If you are not able to transport the dock you may want to contact a dock installer and contract for them to move the dock keep in mind that if you purchase a used dock in Minnesota it must have been either decontaminated or out of the water for at least 21 days. 

You can learn more about the rules and regulations of decontaminating your waterfront equipment at the MN DNR website:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/shoreland_owners.html​