FAQ
- How do you figure out shipping charges?
- Can I pick up at the plant?
- How do you figure how much flotation to buy?
- What types of floats do you offer and do they have to be foam filled?
- What size lumber should I use to build my dock?
- Do I have to take my dock out in the winter?
- What size hoop or pipe holders do I need to buy?
- What hardware type do I need to buy? Light Standard or heavy?
- Returning items?
- Payment options and checkout?
- Do you take credit applications?
- What is pipe ID or OD?
- Are we the manufacturer?
- Where are we located?
- What type of dock should I buy?
How do you figure out shipping charges?
For small orders that ship UPS or FED-X we pack the order and figure out the cost based on weight and measurements. We also deal with several large trucking companies. On large shipments, we check rates and get the best deal for you. Some of our items are marked truck or call for shipping, call or e-mail us and we will get the best truck rate available for you.
UPS or FED-X can ship several of the floats. If you are buying only floats or items that don’t have to be shipped by truck, you should use the smaller floats. If you have lots of floats, the larger floats are a better buy, but have to be shipped by truck which normally costs more. If you can get a commercial adress to accept the truck shipment, you will save a residential fee (usually $45.00 or more).
One thing we truely do not do is add cost to our freight. We take the actual freight cost and pass it directly on to the customer.
Can I pick up at the plant?
Sometimes, it saves to pick up yourself. You should have the necessary straps and equipment to do this. We do not have rope or straps available for this purpose. You need to get your load back home safely. You will also need to remember that if you pick up at the plant you will pay sales tax.
How do you figure how much flotation to buy?
There are a number of factors to ask before you figure flotation requirements. If it is a homeowner’s dock with a couple of people, we use about 30# per square foot to calculate flotation. A marina with more people needs about 35# per square foot. It isn’t easy to get this exact number but you can come close. The lower the dock is to the water, the more stable it will be. The more footprint in the water (the amount of surface water covered by floats) the more stable it will be.
Next, you should figure the height of the float. We have 12”, 16”, 20” and 24” high floats in most models. The lower the float, generally the more stable the dock will be. The example is a homeowners dock 6’ wide and 20’ long. The amount of square feet of dock is first determined by multiplying 6’ x 20’ = 120 square feet. We then use 30 pounds per square feet and multiplying 30 x 120 = 3600 pounds of flotation needed. Next figure out what size float you would like to use. We will show two examples: 1. A large float (FC-4612) 4’ x 6’ x 12” floats 1390# each. Divide 3600# by 1390# = 2.58 floats – 3 would be needed. 2. A small float (FC-2412) 2’ x 4’ x 12” would be a good choice it floats 450# each. Divide 3600# by 450# = 8 floats. For a commercial application, do the same calculation except use 35# per square foot. Keep in mind, that these are rough calculations. The dock weight, material, decking, and etc. will affect the actual amount of flotation you need.
What types of floats do you offer and do they have to be foam filled?
We sell Eagle float. They carry a 15-year warranty. ALL of our floats meet the Corps of Engineers Reg. #36 CFR Part 327. The wall thickness is a minimum of .150 and they are made from 100% virgin grade polyethylene. You probably can buy a cheaper float, but you will hate it when the floats fail and you have to buy new. Many of these floats claim what they will support. Our floats are tested to the exact amount of weight it takes to submerge a float.
What size lumber should I use to build my dock?
We would normally recommend 2” x 8” for side stringers as a minimum. Our hardware is 5” tall.
If you are building a wood dock, it is best to build as long and wide of sections as you can. Generally if you look, you can find 20’ long 2” X 8” or 2” X 10” for side stringers. The wider you build the dock the more stable it will be. The real drawback to this is that these docks weigh 10# per square foot or more. An 8’ X 20’ equals 160 square foot X 10# per square foot is 1600 #. Concerning wood size, if you look around your area you can see what people have used in the past and use that as a guide. Some areas we sell to have really rough conditions have used double 2” X 12”s for side stringers.
Decking generally is still 2” X 6” – some people use pressure treated 2” X 8” but they will cup if not fastened down tight.
Do I have to take my dock out in the winter?
Many floating docks are left in the winter even if the lake freezes. If the lake freezes and the ice moves around it is better to take your dock out. If you leave the dock in freezing conditions, it is wise to take small pipes out. Tie the dock in a cove if possible or tie so it can float freely. If the ice moves at all, and the pipes move, they can tear up the dock quickly.
What size hoop or pipe holders do I need to buy?
If you are in a fairly protected area, 2” pipe will work fine, (generally if you have to take dock in and out). If you have a pile driver on your body of water, it some times pays to have piling driven permanently. If you drive piling we offer special hoop pile holders for 6” – 16” diameter piling that can be unbolted easily if a dock needs to be moved. Please click here for more information about measuring pipe or piling sizes and info about pipe ID and OD.
Generally, the more piles you have in a dock the better off you’ll be when high wind hits. For large marinas we recommend at least 12" OD piling placed every 40' on main sections and at the end of every finger 20' or longer.
You should have 1”-2” play between the piling and the hoop pile holder. Keep in mind, all of our pipe and pile holders measure nominal. For example a hoop HP-H14 actually measures 14” inside. So if you try to use a 14" pile holder for 14" pile it wont work correctly. You would need to use a 16" pile holder.
What hardware type do I need to buy? Light Standard or heavy?
Light/Homeowners- We manufacture homeowners wood dock hardware which uses 1 ½” thick lumber and should be used with small boats (16’ to 18’) and areas that are protected. It is made with 3/16” x 5” steel. This hardware uses 3/8” carriage bolts.
Standard/Regular- Our regular hardware is made with ¼” x 5” steel and wood as thick as 3” can be used. Wood docks that are in moderately rough areas and have medium size boats should use this hardware. This hardware uses ½” carriage bolts are used in this hardware.
Heavy- Our Heavy Duty hardware is made from 3/8” x 8” steel and support wood as thick as 3”. Use our heavy duty hardware if you have any doubt that our regular size hardware may be insufficient for your application.
The lightweight and regular hardware uses the same ½” x 3” connecting tabs and ¾” bolts or pins to fasten the dock together end to end or attach fingers. The heavy duty hardware uses a slightly larger ½” x 5” tab and uses a larger 1” bolt for connection. All of this hardware like the rest of our hardware is hot dipped to ASTM standards.
Returning items?
Returns Policy: You can return new, unopened items from a cancelled order within 2 weeks after they have been delivered to you. Items should be re-packed in an undamaged box prior to shipping. There is a 15 PERCENT restocking fee on ALL returned items.
Payment options and checkout?
We accept most major credit cards. American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. When ordering online or over the phone you will need to provide us with your desired payment method. We also accept checks or money orders via the US postal service or dropped off in person. We require payment prior to most shipments. When ordering online you need to add all of your items to your shopping cart then proceed to the checkout.
Do you take credit applications?
We do take credit applications. Fill out online credit application click here. Or fill out the form then print fax it to us at 304-737-3008. Upon receipt of your application we will review your information and get back to you as soon as possible with our decision.
What is pipe ID or OD?
We have developed an entire page of what this is to help you determine what you need for your particular situation click here.
Are we the manufacturer?
We ARE actually the manufacturer of all of our galvanized steel wood dock components, truss frames, pile guides, ect. Everything is made right here in our plant in Wellsburg, WV using only US steel and US employees.
Where are we located?
Merco Marine 60 Merco Rd – Wellsburg, WV 26070 The northern tip of WV on the Ohio river. Click here for driving directions. We’re about 50 minutes west of Pittsburgh. Flying in? The nearest airport is the Wheeling Ohio County airport which is 15 minutes driving time south of our plant. The nearest commercial airport is Pittsburgh International which is 45 minutes northeast of our plant.
What type of dock should I buy?
We offer several types of dock construction to fit your needs.
If you are on a small pond or stream you should use a small wood frame dock, either floating or stationary made with lightweight Homeowners dock hardware or stationary dock hardware.
If you are on a river or large lake you should use floating truss frames or a floating heavy duty wood frame with heavy duty wood dock hardware. If extra strength is needed use our 2” truss frames and if you have fingers sticking out use our finger stabilizers.
If you are on a very large lake or on a coastal harbor use our floating heavy duty 2” truss frame system or our paralam aka truss and wood construction.
