Commercial grade dock floats from B.C. company

The science of performance dock floats and pontoon logs and tubes is constantly evolving. The goal is to produce more rugged products with better floatation value and superior hydrodynamic qualities.

There’s a complete lineup of such products from New Wave Docks, a B.C. company from 100 Mile House that roto molds its own floats using its own unique designs.

Company President Mike McNeil says: “We rotationally mold a seamless polyethylene float, with a consistent wall thickness of 5/16″ to ensure strength and durability against punctures and splits.”As the photos illustrate, the New Wave 450 has a hydrodynamic profile that increases its floatation capability as it sinks lower in water because the float widens at the top. The sculpted lines, with the addition of nose cones, means the floats yield cool party barges and pontoon boats as well. They are also crafted with molded-in bolt receptables for skid plates so they can be run up on beaches without damaging the floats themselves.

Cool pontoon boat product: Liquid Rubber sealant

Liquid Rubber to seal corrosive pressure-treated lumber

We decided to use pressure-treated lumber between aluminum cross members on the pontoon boat deck...something to screw marine plywood to and this gives bolted support every foot on the 21-foot craft.

But treated lumber, with its copper preservative, is corrosive to almost everything, so the challenge was how to seal it away from the aluminum. Solution: Liquid Rubber, a great product from a Canadian firm: http://liquidrubber.ca/

Liquid Rubber is nontoxic, i.e. water cleanup and virtually no smell, so it's great to work with. Yet, it's definitely rubber, goes on thick and provides a very effective water seal.

Wilson Pontoons used for DIY Pontoon boat

Wilson Pontoons on boat 8' x 21'...work in progress

The pontoon boat build using Wilson ‘toons is progressing well despite cold winter conditions in Nelson, B.C.

The side rails are 4-inch aluminum C channel bolted into stainless steel inserts that come standard with the pontoons. The logs themselves are great, very hydrodynamically designed and the interlocking system is very tight and secure. 

The two snags thus far have been shipping costs from east coast U.S. to west coast Canada, i.e. about $1,800 so that will add quite a bit to the boat’s final price.