Canadian Dock System – Opening

V. 3-2018

Frank Giesler; Carl Bauer; L C “Papa” Johnson – August 1956

Preparation
The first key to preparing for this task is to achieve the right mindset. Before beginning the closing process please refer to Appendix
A and allow image to wash over your mind.

While you’re in the Appendices take a look at Appendix C. This shows the seasonal configurations of the dock system. Note how the
floater moves from summer to winter shut-down. If you’re not familiar with this project don’t freak out. These instructions will take
you step by step.

Preliminaries – Steps 1 & 2

Step 1
Step 1 - You’ve just arrived and, using the yellow barge line (Image 1.0), you’ve pulled the floater up to the corner of
the Shore Dock. Secure the line to the cleat so you don’t float back out. Easy to unload and get situated in the cabin(s). When
you’re ready to get going on opening the dock system move to Step 2, below. Let’s go!

Image 1.0 – Yellow barge line

Step 2
Step 2 - Go to boathouse and fetch the “Toolbox Named Dock” (Image 2.0). This box has vital parts (spares and likewise)
plus the tools required to set-up and take-down the dock affair. Always leave the tools and spares in the Toolbox named Dock. The
next person will thank you.

Image 2.0 – Toolbox Named “DOCK”

In the Toolbox Named DOCK you will find, among other things:
Tools
 ¾ inch closed-end wrench
 ¾ inch socket with ratchet wrench
 9/16 socket that will work with the ratchet wrench
 Pliers in case your fingers need help with the blue pin on the anchor shackles
 Crescent wrench may be needed to fasten/unfasten removable links (YES! Keep this close since rust makes turning by
hand difficult!)
 Hammer for gentle nudging of big ramp pins, as required
 Key that locks/unlocks padlock for gin pole
 “String gizmo” – Explained in Step 7, it’s a short run of string with red carabiners at each end
Spares
 1 extra big ramp pin
 Spare anchor shackles
 Spare pallet bolts/brackets

Key to the lock that secures pallets in winter

Step 3: Lower Ramp into Summer position

Step 3
Step 3 - Remove all articles, people, dogs, etc, from floater. Boats are fine being tied to it…just no weight on top side of
floater (this makes more sense when you attach floater to ramp). It is also easier to work without clutter.

Position the floater to the north (left) corner of the Shore Deck so the floater is not underneath the ramp. Untie the blue cord that
held the winch handle in the 12 o’clock “up” position (Image 3.0) and put blue cord in Toolbox Named DOCK.

Image 3.0 – Blue cord tied to handle over winter

Step 3.a - Turn winch handle counterclockwise* to lower ramp all the way down until there’s slack in the cable. The floater should
now be on the left of the ramp as you look toward Bear Island.

* Unlikely scenario: If, when turning handle counterclockwise, the ramp does not lower and the handle just seems to spin
(unscrewing from winch assembly), STOP! Turn the handle back clockwise until it is tight and is at the point of raising ramp. Get a
wrench and gently tighten this bolt (Image 3.0.b) until the handle engages winch when turning counterclockwise (lowering ramp).

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Tighten bolt half turn: try handle. Repeat if necessary. Under no circumstances should you continue to unscrew handle from “frozen”
winch when there is a load on it (IE Ramp in “up” position).

Backstory: The original “clutch” in the winch assembly was defective and replaced with upgrade in 5/2016 from Docks & Lifts,
Kenora. You shouldn’t have any problems. If you do, call them and let them know what’s up. They can walk you through it.

Image 3.0.b – Gently tighten bolt if clutch not releasing and ramp fails to lower

Step 4: Reset Pallets onto Ramp

Step 4
Step 4 - Remove the anti-theft cable that secures pallets to Shore Deck. The key to this lock is in the Box Named Dock.
Put to the side as you will use this to lock Gin Pole to Boathouse when moving it to summer storage (more on that later). Put key
back into Toolbox Named Dock (but you’ll need the lock – keep it with the cable for now).

Step 4.a - Move the top pallet (pallet 5, which was the last to come off last fall) to the position on the ramp closest to the Shore
Deck. Note position of pallet 5 in Appendix D. Before laying down the pallet, look at the bottom of the pallet to see the number (5)
and an arrow that points to Bear Island (See Image 4.a.1) when placed on the ramp. Remember, the number and arrow go down
and will not be visible in summer.

Image 4.a.1 – Arrows point to Bear Island

Step 4.b - From Toolbox Named Dock pull a bolt and black bracket out and start, by hand, into the threaded hole on the closest
corner of ramp. Righty-Tighty. Be careful not to strip the threads. If they don’t go in easily, get the “anti-sieze” (See Images 4.b.2
and 4.b.3) from Toolbox Named Dock and brush onto threads.

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 Image 4.b.2 and 4.b.3 – Anti-sieze brushes onto threads of bolts

Hand tighten, then start the one on the opposite corner. Only start two bolts (the corners). Before taking the 9/16 socket (on
rachet wrench) to the bolts, lay down pallet 4 into position. When you’re sure pallet 5 and 4 are in the correct position, add the next
two bolts/brackets (by hand – See Image 4.b.4) and finish tightening those four with the wrench. Snug – but don’t over-tighten.
These have to come out at the end of the year!

Image 4.b.4 – The third and fourth bolts are started now that pallet 4 is down and everything lines up

Step 4.c - Continue this process with pallets 3 and 2. Then take the last pallet (number 1) to the end of the ramp but don’t put it
fully in place because you have to complete the next step first: Removing the winch cable from the end of the ramp.

Step 5: Take Down the Gin Pole

Step 5
Step 5 – Detach winch cable from end of ramp (Images 5.1 and 5.2). Unscrew the anchor shackle that connects the end
of the winch cable to the length of chain that wraps around the ramp frame. Disconnect from chain and reattach to winch cable
where it just came from.

Images 5.1 and 5.2 – Chain that is connected to winch cable with anchor shackle

Open the removeable link, remove chain and reconnect link to the chain and put the assembly into the bottom of Toolbox Named
Dock. Don’t move the last pallet into place yet! We’ll get to that in a couple of Steps. But first…

Step 5.a - Wind the cable back into the winch spool. Keep a little tension on the cable with your other hand so that it winds up
neatly (the same concept as reeling in fishing line, right?)

Step 5.b - Disconnect both guy wire cables from Shore Deck rings by removing anchor shackles (Images 5.b.1 and 5.b.2). Reconnect
shackles onto guy wires that will store with Gin Pole.

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 Image 5.b.1 – Anchor shackle that attaches one of the two guy wires on the Shore Deck. Image 5.b.2 – Shore Deck ring & guy wire

Step 5.c - Pull up Gin Pole from receiver in Shore Deck and lay on deck. Caution! Heavy! Two-person job. Neaten the cables and
store Gin Pole on far side of BH where swim ladder lives in winter (Image 5.c.1). Cover the winch with a piece of plastic (Images 5.c.2
and 5.c.3). Using the pallet cable and lock (from step 4, above) lock the Gin Pole to the Boathouse.

Image 5.c.1 – Gin Pole storage Images 5.c.2 – Plastic for winch 5.c.3 – Winch covered and stored

Step 6: Move Floater to end of Ramp and connect with large Ramp Pins

Make sure nothing is on the floater. It is okay to have boats tied to it, but you don’t want weight on the floater.

Step 6
Step 6 - Go to each center ring where winter chains are connected. This spot in the long length of chain is the winter
connection spot, marked by a hockey puck. LEAVE THE PUCK ATTACHED ALL YEAR LONG! Come fall you’ll be looking for the puck as
you pull up chain in search of the winter connection point.

Loosen removable link with crescent wrench and disconnect current connecting point on chain. Let out the maximum length of
chain and reconnect on last link of chain. Tighten removable link. Repeat at other end. Do not do anything with chain connected to
two corners on swim ladder end of floater (Image 6.0). That comes in the very next step.

Image 6.0 – Center chain has been let out to the maximum length. Do nothing with the corner chains for now.

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 Step 6.a – Pull the floater into summer position. Remember, swim ladder end points toward Bear Island. You can do this by pulling
along side the ramp, or you can use the corner chains (See Image 6.0). Do this until you meet the end of the ramp.

Image 6.a.1 – Floater lined up and pins not yet inserted Image 6.a.2 – This is where you’re headed…

Step 6.b - In Toolbox Named Dock you will find (3) large, black pins (See Image 6.b.1). You need (2)…the third is a spare. Grab
these along with two ¾ inch bolts with aircraft nuts and two washers (See Image 6.c.1). Align floater with Ramp so that the large pin
will go into female part of assembly (Image 6.b.2). You may need to gently tap the pin with your palm or a hammer while moving
floater up/down, mimicking wave action. Repeat for second pin.

Image 6.b.1 – Large black pin Image 6.b.2 – Pin inserts into ramp

Step 6.c - Then insert bolt, one washer on each end, and tighten nut with wrenches. Snug works – You don’t have to kill it. And
remember these, too, have to come off at end of summer. Repeat for other side.

Image 6.c.1 – ¾ inch bolt with aircraft nut Image 6.c.2 – Tighten bolt with wrench Image 6.b.3 – Pin inserted & bolted

Step 6.d - Place final pallet (Pallet 1) into position, hand tighten bolts and snug down with rachet wrench. Put wrenches back into
Toolbox Named Dock.

Prepare Floater at Far End – Running Chain back through brackets

Step 7: Prepare Floater at Far End – Run Chains back through brackets
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Step 7
Step 7 - Loosen removable link on right corner at far end of floater (use crescent wrench). Before removing it from the
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corner ring take a deep breath and make a resolution to not drop the unattached chain into the water. I recommend using the
“string gizmo.” That is a short run of string with red carabiners on each end, located in the Toolbox Named Dock. You can clip one
end to the corner ring and the other a few feet down the chain. This way, if you drop the end of the chain (on the next step) you
don’t have to go swimming to find it (big problem trying to pull chain up from the lake bottom!!). Whether or not you use the string
gizmo on the next step, go slowly. Use care. Focus.

Image 7.0 – Removeable link on right corner of floater

Step 7.a – Remove the link (and chain) from the corner ring. This chain is connected to a 300 lb weight on the lake bottom. Close
the removable link by hand (so it doesn’t fall off the chain) and, while laying low (on your tummy?) feed the end of the chain upward
through the adjacent bracket (Image 7.a.1) and reattach to the right ring. Tighten with crescent wrench. Remove the string gizmo if
you used it.

Image 7.a.1 – Black bracket that chain runs through.

If you do drop the chain, you’re going to have to swim for it. It’s too heavy to grab and swim upward, so I recommend you use the
yellow barge rope with carabiners on each end. Attach one end to the floater and swim down to connect the other end to the end of
the chain. Get onto the floater and pull the chain up.

Better yet….DON’T DROP THE CHAIN!

Step 7.b - Pull all the chain through the bracket until it won’t give any more. You now have a taught line between your hands and
the weight at the bottom of the lake. Now, release about 12-18 inches of chain (for slack) and lay chain into slot in bracket to keep
in place. The rest of the chain should be let back down into the water with the very end of the chain remaining attached to the
corner ring.

Step 7.c - Repeat Steps 7, 7.a and 7.b for left corner.

Step 8: Install the Swim Ladder

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Step 8
11110 Step 8 – Install swim ladder. Go to far side of boathouse and grab the swim ladder. Before easing ladder into place
make sure Toolbox Named Dock is close by so you can grab the four bolts from the top compartment (Image 8).

Image 8 – Top compartment where swim ladder bolts (4) live

Ease ladder into position and line up the four holes in the ladder’s plate with the holes in the plate attached to the floater (Image
8.1). Take your first bolt with washer and start by hand. You may need to jiggle the ladder to create the right alignment for the bolt.
It shouldn’t be difficult to hand tighten most of the way.

Repeat for other three bolts. Hand tighten. Once the bolts have gone are far as they can go by hand, take the ratchet wrench with
the right sized socked and tighten to snug.

Image 8.1 – The four bolt holes (threaded) on the floater plates

Now you can put your tools away in Toolbox Named Dock and return it to the boathouse. Congratulations!!

Appendix A – Operating Components of 2015 Dock System

Shore Deck – 8x16 foot platform permanently fixed to land

Ramp – 6x20 foot metal-framed ramp with (5) removable 6x4 foot wood “pallet” sections
Floater – 6x24 foot floating dock
Gin Pole – Pole equipped with winch that inserts into end of Shore Deck; Used to lift ramp into winter storage position
Lake-end weights – (2) 300 lb weights on bottom of bay that help secure lake-end of floater (chains attached)
Removable links
Anchor shackles
Guy wires (2)
Winch cable (1)
Ramp pins (2)
4-inch bolts and plates (12)

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 Appendix C – Summer and Winter Schematic Layouts

SL: Swim Ladder: Used in this case to distinguish far side of floater versus near side
W: Weight 300 lb weights sit on lake bottom to provide stability to SL end of floater

Orient yourself on how the floater will rest for winter arrangement. See diagram of where we’re headed (Generally, and
not to scale…and swim ladder will be removed for winter).

W W W W
C2
C2
C1 C1

S C4

L
Boat

Floater
Boat
C4 To
Tree >
C3
C4

Floater
C5

L
S
< C3 To C4 To
Anchor Tree >
< C3 To
Ramp Anchor
C3
L1
Ramp

C5

Shore Deck Shore Deck

Figure One - Summer Set-Up Figure Two – Winter Shut-Down

C1: Chain 1 connects right corner of floater to left weight. In summer it runs through right black bracket and in
winter it by-passes bracket
C2: Chain 2 connects left corner of floater to right weight. In summer it runs through left black bracket and in
Winter it by-passes bracket
C3: Chain 3 (left) connects center ring on Floater to anchor on far side of rock (to the North). In summer, chain
is let out and in winter it is brought in
C4: Chain 4 connects center ring on SL (Swim Ladder) end of Floater to tree across lagoon. In summer chain
is let out and in winter it is brought in
C5: Chain 5 connects floater to Shore Deck. No seasonal adjustment – stays put year ‘round.
L1: Yellow Line 1 (Spring opening) pulls Floater to Shore Deck when first arriving in spring.

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 Appendix D – Ramp and Pallet construction/composition

The ramp is a welded, metal-framed structure that is hinged permanently to the Shore Deck. Five wooden pallets are attached to
the top of the ramp frame with (4) 9/16” four-inch bolts and black plates. Ramp then connects seasonally to floater.

Lake End
6 feet

Pallet 1
Goes on last

Pallet 2
Goes on fourth

North
Edge of Pallet 3
Ramp
20 feet

Goes on third
Pallet
orients
like this as
you Pallet 4
reinstall Goes on second
on ramp

Pallet 5
Goes on first

Pallet 5 is on the top of the stack, situated on Shore

Deck. This comes off first and goes into position, as
shown. Take note of orientation per Image 4.a.1.
This is important so that holes line up as originally
designed.

Pallet 4 follows, and so on. Step 4 walks you

through this process of summer set-up.
Shore Deck

Land End

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