The first set of docks at the yacht club was built over a period of years in the early 1960's.
Original design consisted of a 6' x 20' rectangle of 3" x 12" lumber secured at the four corners by through bolted 4" x 4" posts. The docks were decked with 2" x 6" planking placed at right angles to the length of the dock. Electric and water utilities were run though notches cut at both ends of each dock section. Thirty and fifty amp outlets, water and 120 volt utilities were secured to 2" x 6" and 2" x 8" uprights bolted to the sides of dock sections at appropriate spacing throughout the marina.
Flotation was provided by four Styrofoam bales bolted to four 2" x 6" cross supports nailed crosswise to the underside of each dock section. All dock sections were joined together by single and double interlocking male/female through bolted end plates.
The original docks served the club well for over a decade and more, but by 1978/79 it was apparent they were nearing the end of their useful life. In addition to a very hazardous electrical system, many dock sections were literally sinking. A group of five or six members standing on a dock section enjoying a beer on a sunny afternoon would find their Top Siders awash in salt water. A similar condition existed on many of the fingers, which were of identical construction varying only in their three-foot width.
Club member scuba divers determined the sinking problem was directly related to deterioration of the flotation, which were losing much of their volume to barnacles, sea worms and other contaminants. The combination of deteriorating flotation as well as heavy construction design placed many of the club’s docks at near water level. This condition placed much of our electrical wiring under salt water creating a very hazardous situation and boat-threatening electrolysis as well.
When it became apparent something had to be done about the docks an attempt was made to begin a replacement program beginning at the far end of "C" dock during the winter of 1978/79. With the exception of being eight feet wide, these docks (six in all) were of identical design to the old docks. These docks were thought to be too costly, too heavy and too slow to build despite the best efforts of a small group of dock knockers. It is these docks that were replaced in 1998 – ’99.
In the early 1980's a significantly increased group of dock knockers came up with a new and different dock design. Blue prints for the new docks called for 2" x 12" frames and one-inch decking. Galvanized corner brackets doubled as securing the corners as well as providing a means of tying sections of docks together by male/female prongs. These docks were much lighter, cheaper and could be built much faster than the old design and are now in place throughout the club.
Because the club had no cash reserves of significance a non-interest bearing, refundable certificate program was initiated to cover the cost of new docks. During this same time period the club began replacing the old piston driven air compressors with axial blow "Roots" type blowers which are cheaper, more efficient and more trouble free.
As the docks replacement program progressed in the early 1980's the board became concerned about the cost of disposing of the old docks. Early on, at no cost to the club, local waterside residents towed off dock sections to augment their own docks. Ads were placed in a number of papers and we were soon contacted by an upstate marina that purchased our old docks for several hundred dollars each. It was when a large barge and crane anchored in the entrance to the marina and began loading our old docks that we learned the true nature of our floatation problems. As each section was lifted out of the water it was apparent 50-80 percent of flotation volume was missing. Many of these dock sections are still in service today at other locations.
The early 1980's and the programs undertaken at that time started a new era at the club. Whereas earlier facilities were supplied by paid contractors most subsequent programs were undertaken by club members. Instrumental in the dock renewal program were the dock knockers, a band of hard working jovial members, several dozen strong, who could complete six-seven dock sections per week and without a hitch.
The club is blessed with many different talents, electrical, plumbing and carpentry know-how which combined in good fellowship to save the club multiples of the net cost of any project undertaken. Moreover, the lunches were excellent, the beer was cold and a good time has had by all.
This write-up comes from Bob Graves, a long time member and excellent engineer. Bob is credited with being the father of our modern dock system and one of the originators of the Dock Knockers- S.M.D.