Vacation home security and remote control options to protect your home and devices to monitor and control your home from a distance
Architectural plans & designs for vacation homes—mountain homes—lake homes—beach houses.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Sales of newly constructed single-family homes spiked 11% in June to an annualized rate of 384,000 homes, according to a report released Monday.
The gain over May was much greater than expected. A consensus of housing industry analysts had forecast seasonally adjusted sales of 352,000, according to Breifing.com.
However, sales are still 21% below the levels of a year ago, when new homes sold in June at an annualized rate of 488,000, according to the report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Four years ago, during the height of the housing boom, the sales rate for June was 1,374,000, nearly three-and-a-half times higher than last month.
Still, the report was very positive, according to Peter Morici, an economics professor at the University of Maryland who had forecast June sales to be at the 350,000 level. "That is really good news. Considering what's going on in existing home sales, with all the foreclosure activity sending down home prices, for new homes to jump like that is a good indicator that the economy is bottoming out."
More-->
CNN Money
Dock Components for Your Vacation Home - Build Or Repair A Dock
Maintaining or Building a Dock For Your Vacation Home?
A beautiful dock can be an excellent asset to your vacation home. It's not only where you park the boat. But it can be set up as a patio/deck/dock. It's really a part of your outdoor living space. You can have barbecues on the dock, fish all night, lie in the sun all day. You can even set up a hot tub on or near your dock. The possibilities are endless.
If you're building your first dock, the first thing you want to do is check with your local government and state authorities. Get the proper paperwork in place and the regulations for building docks. Many places will not let you build a dock, others require a permit. Nearly all will have requirements and guidelines for building your dock. If you have an old dock you want to replace, you probably have grandfathered rights. But, you still have to check, and you'll still have to build by the current guidelines of your particular area.
Some factors to consider when building a dock
Erosion
Water levels often vary on a lake, and the higher levels commonly associated with wet seasons can wash the land away under the gangway to your dock. Prevailing winds can worsen or duplicate the impact if your shoreline faces directly into the wind.
Decking
You can use pressure treated wood, aluminum, or Trex, hardwood decking or composite decking, depending on what maintenance you're willing to do. If it's your vacation home, maybe you want to spend more time enjoying yourself, than adding more maintenance.
Resources To Get You Started:
Here's an excellent article on building a dock by Professional Deck Builder Online
How To Build a Dock (web page)
So You're Ready To Build A Dock (web page)
The Dock Manual: Designing, Building, Maintaining (book)
Building & Maintaining Docks: How to Design, Build, Install & Care for Residential Docks (book)
Creativity Has It's Rewards!
You have to see it to believe it. This guy was building a gazebo and decided to make a boat out of it using dock floats (like those below). For any dock with a cabin on it (walls and a roof), float coverage on the bottom of the deck should be 100%, and the dock floats should be a minimum of 20" in height. He also added a wireless electric motor with Sonar-ready digital wireless with a built-in Lowrance transducer and temp sensor! He's now free to move about the deck, free from interference and free to navigate, using the finest sonar picture you've ever laid eyes on. This motor features a built-in sonar transducer that's optimized for Lowrance units with the versatility to control the boat from anywhere on it. He could sit in a chair, rest his pole on the rail, and steer anywhere he wanted to go. With a gangplank anchored on the shore, you'd have a dock and a boat all in one.
|
|
|
Dock Planning Kit
$5.99
Includes ideas about designing your dock, blueprints and typical layouts, and explains what tools are required. Covers the selection of additional products available to supplement your dock project.
|
|
Dock Edge Classic Dock Cleat
$12.99
This great looking classic style dock cleat from Dock Edge is cast from solid aluminum and powder coated for to ensure long-lasting durability. Distinctive and highly functional, different sized dock cleats are available to suit your particular boat anchoring needs.
|
|
Dock Edge Dock Bumper - Boat Saver
$23.49
Marine-grade PVC, will not chip or crack under normal usage. Unaffected by oil, gas or salt water. UV stabilizers prevent yellowing from sunlight. Protect your investment with Dock Edge.
|
|
Dock Edge Dock Bumper - Boat Shield
$23.99
UV-stabilized polyethylene foam, will not chip or crack under normal usage. Unaffected by oil, gas or saltwater. UV stabilizers prevent yellowing from sunlight. Protect your investment with Dock Edge. 48'' x 2-3/4'' x 5''.
|
|
Dock Edge Aluminum Dock Ladder - Flip Up
$214.99
This Flip-Up Aluminum Dock Ladder from Dock Edge is the perfect addition to any dock or seawall with varying water levels. Designed for easy flipping up and out of the water when not in use, this Flip-Up Ladder is easily secured in the up or down position with a handy retainer pin. Ladder width is 18-3/4''. Length of steps is 15-1/4''. Distance between each step is approximately 3'' from front to back. Distance between steps is 12''. 400 lb. capacity. Color: Gray.
|
|
Dock Edge Toon Fender
$74.99
The innovative Toon Fender provides outstanding protection for your pontoon boat without the hassle associated with the traditional round fenders. The first fender specifically made for pontoon boats; the Toon Fender is designed to attach to various deck styles and is a complete system, so there?s no need for additional rope or extra attachment devices. Molded from tough PVC and equipped with a dual hooking system which attaches directly to the pontoon to prevent the fender from popping up and flying around, a 6? x 6? block of durable, EVA foam protects the fencing from marring. Measuring 36? long the Toon Fender protects from above the top railing to approximately 5? below the floor trim, this fender won?t float up like traditional round fenders and is adjustable on the fly. Also, the angled sides help prevent catching the dock when mooring and your pontoon cover will fit around the Toon Fender. 36? x 6?.
|
|
Dock Edge Dock Bumper - C Guard Profile
$19.99
Marine-grade PVC will not chip or crack under normal usage. Unaffected by oil, gas, and saltwater. UV stabilizers prevent yellowing from sunlight.
|
|
Dock Edge Dock Bumper - C Guard Profile
$22.99
Marine-grade PVC will not chip or crack under normal usage. Unaffected by oil, gas, and saltwater. UV stabilizers prevent yellowing from sunlight.
|
|
Dock Edge Dock Bumper - Corner Bumper
$28.99
Marine-grade PVC, will not chip or crack under normal usage. Unaffected by oil, gas or saltwater. UV stabilizers prevent yellowing from sunlight. Protect your investment with Dock Edge.
|
|
Dock Edge Dock Bumper - Dock Guard Profile
$19.99
Marine-grade PVC will not chip or crack under normal usage. Unaffected by oil, gas, and saltwater. UV stabilizers prevent yellowing from sunlight.
|
|
Dock Edge Dock Bumper - FlexGuard
$64.99
Marine-grade PVC, will not chip or crack under normal usage. Unaffected by oil, gas or salt water. UV stabilizers prevent yellowing from sunlight. Protect your investment with Dock Edge. Mounting hardware not included. Manufacturer recommends screws not nails.
|
|
Dock Edge ProTect Corner Dock Bumper
$13.99
Even while traveling, even at low speeds, a dock can do some serious damage to the your boat. This corner bumper is an affordable way to ensure your boat remains undamaged. Manufactured from MPR (Melt Processible Rubber), this heavy-duty white corner bumper is equipped with a tremendous amount of shock absorption qualities and will not mark or mar the hull of your boat. Dimensions: 15'' x 2.5'' x 1.5''.
|
|
Dock Edge ProTect Straight Dock Bumper
$11.99
Even while traveling, even at low speeds, a dock can do some serious damage to the your boat. The ProTect Straight Bumper is an affordable way to add extra protection to your dock. Manufactured from MPR (Melt Processible Rubber), this heavy-duty 12'' white bumper is equipped with a tremendous amount of shock absorption qualities and will not mark or mar the hull of your boat if bumped. Length: 12''. Color: White. Imported.
|
|
Stearns Solid Braid MFP Dock Line with Spliced-In Loop
$8.49
Ideal for use as a dockline for trailered boats. RWLR of 113-270 lbs. Size: 3/8"" x 15'. Made in USA. RWLF: (Recommended Work Load Range) RWLR takes 8 to 20% of new rope minimum tensile strength--the higher risk to life, limb or property use the lower range of the RWLR. The lower the risk to life, limb or property use the higher range of the RWLR.
|
|
Taylor Made Stow 'n Go Standard Dock Boxes
$519.99
Keep your boating and dock accessories safely stowed away! Taylor Made Stow 'n Go Dock Boxes are constructed from fiberglass with a nice UV gelcoat finish and stainless steel lockable latch and hardware to ensure long lasting durability in harsh marine environments. Each Stow 'n Go Box is outfitted with gas shock lifts to ensure the lid stays open on rocking docks and high winds. The interior finish is super smooth to help prevent splinters and to protect all stored items. Stow 'n Go Dock Box Features: Tough fiberglass construction UV gelcoat finish Stainless steel lockable latch and hardware Gas shock lifts keeps the lid open Smooth interior finish Other Taylor Made Dock Boxes and Dock Box Accessories sold separately and can be found through keyword search by typing in the keywords ""Taylor Made Dock Box"".
|
|
Taylor Made Dock Box Storage Accessories - Seat Cushions
$64.99
Designed to make your Taylor Made Dock Box even more useful, the Seat Cushion features 2'' thick urethane foam that will not absorb water. The ultra-comfortable foam padding is covered in Ultima fabric for maximum strength, UV stability and longevity. The Seat Cushion's underside is designed with a sewn-in, non-slip fabric to help keep the cushion in place. Made in USA! Taylor Made? Dock Boxes are sold separately and can be found through item search for item number 38-531-988-00
|
|
Taylor Made Stow 'n Go Standard Dock Boxes
$779.99
Keep your boating and dock accessories safely stowed away! Taylor Made Stow 'n Go Dock Boxes are constructed from fiberglass with a nice UV gelcoat finish and stainless steel lockable latch and hardware to ensure long lasting durability in harsh marine environments. Each Stow 'n Go Box is outfitted with gas shock lifts to ensure the lid stays open on rocking docks and high winds. The interior finish is super smooth to help prevent splinters and to protect all stored items. Stow 'n Go Dock Box Features: Tough fiberglass construction UV gelcoat finish Stainless steel lockable latch and hardware Gas shock lifts keeps the lid open Smooth interior finish Other Taylor Made Dock Boxes and Dock Box Accessories sold separately and can be found through keyword search by typing in the keywords ""Taylor Made Dock Box"".
|
|
Vestil Hand Pump Hydraulic Dock Leveler 66in.W, 20, 000-Lb. Capacity
$1,329.99
Permanently attaches to dock to create a ramp to trailer. Uses hydraulics to lift leveler and extend lip to trailer. Offers service range of 5in. up and 5in. down. Lip drops automatically behind bumper face when trailer departs. U.S.A. Load Capacity (lbs.): 20, 000, Ramp Width (in.): 66, Ramp Length (in.): 27, Height Difference (in.): 5 Includes 2in. x 8in. x 18in. bumpers Concrete recess not required Steel dock edge required for proper installation Includes hand pump, wall-mount brackets, cylinder, 15-ft. hydraulic line and oil
|
|
Vestil Hand Pump Hydraulic Dock Leveler 66in.W, 25, 000-Lb. Capacity
$1,499.99
Permanently attaches to dock to create a ramp to trailer. Uses hydraulics to lift leveler and extend lip to trailer. Offers service range of 5in. up and 5in. down. Lip drops automatically behind bumper face when trailer departs. U.S.A. Load Capacity (lbs.): 25, 000, Ramp Width (in.): 66, Ramp Length (in.): 27, Height Difference (in.): 5 Includes 2in. x 8in. x 18in. bumpers Concrete recess not required Steel dock edge required for proper installation Includes hand pump, wall-mount brackets, cylinder, 15-ft. hydraulic line and oil
|
|
|
|
