Summer Boating Party Ideas

Spring is finally here in the Midwest, and while Mother Nature might still have a few surprises in store, it’s never too early to start thinking about summer parties on the lake!

Imagine a perfect summer day: blue skies, warm sunshine, and all your friends and family having fun. If that sounds like the day you’ve been waiting for all winter, we have some great ideas to make sure everyone at your party talks about it for days afterwards!

Many of these ideas don’t require actually being out on the lake, but rather using your boat as an extension of your outdoor living space. Boaters frequently miss opportunities to use their boats and pontoons for more than being out on the water!

1. Host a movie night. This idea is great especially for groups with kids. You can customize your viewing experience for however many people are involved – watch on a laptop with a large screen for smaller crowds, or try a projector that attaches to your phone or laptop for a larger group. A simple option for a screen is using a white bed sheet. Load up your boat with snacks, and you’re all set for a movie night!
2. Weekend cruise. Take your family and friends out for a spin and entice them to come along with the promise of a meal on board. You could do brunch, lunch, or dinner. Keep it simple: no messy meals. Finger foods are best.
3. 4th of July fireworks show. Do you live on a lake or in a community that hosts a waterfront fireworks display? Do you want to light off some of your own? These are all great options for a holiday party. Remember, safety first! If you’re lighting your own fireworks, don’t hold them in your hand. Launch fireworks away from the boat and towards open water. Be courteous of other boaters! If you’re attending a fireworks display on the water, follow nighttime navigation rules and make sure you have proper safety lights and equipment.

Looking for dock accessories to make your night on the water or on the dock more enjoyable?

Alumi-Span is your one-stop shop for everything you need from your dock including furniture, solar lights, and ladders. We also have everything you need to keep your dock safe for all your guests, like bumpers and corner pieces so there are no sharp edges to your dock.

For more information or to talk to one of our boating experts, give us a call or visit our website today! We’d love to help you bring one of these party ideas to life!

Boating on the Great Lakes

Looking forward to getting out on the water this summer? The time is almost here! As you prepare for warm weather, clear skies, and perfect boating days, it’s time to take advantage of living in the Midwest, and get out on the Great Lakes!

If you’re from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or some eastern states like Pennsylvania and New York, you’ve got one of the Great Lakes within driving distance! Boaters from Canada can also access some of the Great Lakes easily.

The Great Lakes is one of the largest inland freshwater lake systems in the world. There are so many options for urban access, historical sites, water sports, fishing, and more fun summer activities.

There’s something for the whole family!

Looking for something to do on one of the Great Lakes? Check out our guide below:

• Lake Erie – This is the shallowest of the five lakes, and the warmest. This lake runs along the northern coast of the state of Ohio, and also shares borders with Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. Look for tourist destinations like Niagara Falls and Put-in-Bay.
• Lake Huron – This Lake is easily accessible from several Metro Detroit cities and Canadian cities, as it sits along the St. Clair River. This lake is great for boating, swimming, and camping.
• Lake Ontario – This is the easternmost Great Lake and is north of New York State. There are no large cities on the coast, which makes it perfect for smaller boats. There are almost 100 marinas along its shores, and it’s known as a good lake for fishing.
• Lake Michigan – Lake Michigan has one of the largest Midwest cities along its shores – Chicago. Northern Michigan has many small towns that are perfect for docking and exploring.
• Lake Superior – This is the largest and northernmost of all the lakes. This lake is always cold for a swim, but the scenery is beautiful, and many national parks and shorelines are great for family adventures, like Painted Rocks National Lakeshore and Isle Royale National Park.

If you’re planning a boating excursion on the Great Lakes this summer, make sure you have all the boating and dock accessories that you need for your trip! At Alumi-Span, we can help you get prepared for a boating trip of any length. Talk to one of our experts about boating, boat docks, and dock accessories.

The 4 Essential Types of Boat Dock Bumpers

Looking for boat dock bumpers but not sure what you need? Want to protect your boat and dock with the best bumpers available? Need more information about boat dock bumpers before you buy?

Anyone looking to protect the investment they’ve made in their boat and dock can’t go wrong with installing a full set of dock bumpers. But with so many options, it can be confusing knowing what to purchase. Our guide to the four essential types of boat dock bumpers simplifies your choice and makes it easy to find the best bumpers for you.

Simple Guide to Boat Dock Bumpers

Torpedo Post bumpers:
The pipe legs supporting your boat dock are susceptible to damage and pose a risk to your boat, too. With a durable and attractive design, torpedo bumpers wrap around dock pipes to cushion against impact and cover brackets and bolts to avoid damage to your boat.

Dock End Bumpers:
When you’re pulling in, the ends of the dock are potential point of damage for the dock and boat. Even a small miscalculation could leave you with a big bill! Consider end bumpers to protect your boat and dock. The wide variety of colors makes it easy to match your existing design while keeping your investment safe.

Side Stringer Bumpers:
This product fits along the edge of the dock and is particularly useful along a boat slip or any outer edges used to dock watercraft. The clean and attractive design lends a polished look to your dock while protecting it and your boat from hard landings or rough water conditions.

Heavy Duty Bumpers:
Larger vessels or rough waters sometimes require the extra strength protection heavy duty bumpers can provide. The thick, sturdy design of the product can be used in many ways, offering excellent security for your boat and dock.

Boat Dock Bumpers Made Simple with Alumi-Span

Whichever products you choose, boat dock bumpers are a crucial form of dock security no boater should go without. Use our guide to keep your options simple and make an informed decision. And you can make the protection of your dock even simpler when you trust the experts at Alumi-Span! Give us a call today to get all the answers you need about boat docks and bumpers.

How to Choose the Right Bumpers for Your Boat Dock

Do you need to shop for boat dock bumpers but aren’t sure where to start? Are you feeling overwhelmed with the options available for boat dock bumpers? Looking for a quick guide to get you started?

Hunting for the best boat dock accessories, like bumpers, can be a tough chore. With so many options available, it’s understandable that you would want a simple breakdown explaining exactly how to navigate the process. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a simple How-To guide that will help you purchase the right bumpers for your boat dock.

How to Choose Boat Dock Bumpers

Step 1: Determine the needs of your boat.

Do you have a larger boat like pontoon? Or something small like a simple motorboat? Your answer will help you determine what kind of bumpers your need! Larger boats will require more bumpers with a heavy duty design, while small boats can probably get away with less.

Step 2: Consider your waterway.

Is your waterfront property situated on a lazy river or do you have direct access to a large lake? The conditions you encounter at your dock will demand different types of bumpers. Boats docked on rougher waters might be well served by vertical bumpers that protect your dock and boat through fluctuations in water level.

Step 3: Explore your options.

Study some basic descriptions of boat dock dumpers.

• Truck and trailer bumpers: cushy options to protect you boat in transit on a truck or trailer.
• Torpedo post bumpers: a wraparound bumper that protects the pipes supporting your dock and covers protruding brackets and bolts.
• Dock End Bumpers: pads that fit the ends of your dock for protection in a variety of colors.
• Side Stringer Bumpers: pads that fit the exposed sides of your dock. Particularly useful for slips or edges where people pull up with their watercraft.
• Vertical Bumpers: a long pad that runs perpendicular to the dock for security when water levels fluctuate significantly.
• Heavy Duty Bumpers: extra thick and sturdy materials to protect docks for larger boats.

Step 4: Put it all together.

Simply keeping your boat, your waterway, and your basic options in mind will help you make the best choice in boat dock bumpers. But if you’re looking for more help with the purchase or installation, give us a call!

At Alumi-Span we have over 60 years’ experience with boat docks and accessories, and we can make sure you find answers to all your questions.

3 Accessories that Make Your Dock Safer

Interested in making summer fun on your boat dock safer? Making updates to your dock to keep your family safe this season? Looking for dock accessories that will improve your safety?

If you have a boat dock and a family to look after, dock safety is probably one of your top concerns. Doing more for your family’s safety than using caution and keeping an eye on them could be as simple as adding a few dock accessories to your waterfront!

Take a look at our top 3 accessories for improved dock safety:

1. Lighting:
   
   The importance of sufficient, quality lighting on your dock can’t be overstated. Even if you never intend to use your dock when sunlight isn’t in full force, things happen and you should be prepared. A well lighted dock will be better protected from accidents with other boaters using the water way at night.
   
   Solar lights are your best and work in most circumstances. Make sure you reference a good guide when you install the lights to guarantee proper placement, or consult a professional!
2. Ladders:
   
   If your dock is used by swimmers, boaters, or people enjoying other water activities, a ladder is a key safety accessory. It will make your dock easier to use and safer in both emergency and everyday situations.
3. Corner Sections:
   
   If you have one or more slips or any ninety degree angles on your dock, a corner section is a smart dock accessory to consider for safety. Adding corner sections will discourage people from jumping the corners, which can be dangerous, and it will give you more room to move on the dock.

These dock upgrades are quick and easy, but they can make a big impact on improved safety. If you have any questions about these dock accessories or your family’s safety around the water, give us a call today!

How to Enjoy Your Dock and Keep Your Family Safe!

Want to up the safety factor of your boat dock this year? Wondering about dock improvements that will make your family safer? Want to enjoy your dock and make your family more safe and comfortable?

We understand that owning a waterfront space with a dock and having a family to look after puts a lot on your plate. Your main concern may be safety, but you want you and your family to be able to enjoy time by the dock, too! A few safety tips might be just the key to help you find the right balance between safety and fun. Check out our tips below!

• Dock Accessories for Safety: Quite a few dock accessories are available to you that can improve the safety of your dock for your family. One example is solar lighting. Adequate lighting for your dock will keep you and your family safer when you use the dock in the early mornings or evenings and can prevent waterway accidents. Other examples of dock accessories that improve safety are stairs and ladders, corner sections, and bumpers.
• Family Safety Policies: Setting up consistent rules or policies about dock use can help keep your family safer, especially when you can’t keep an eye on everyone every minute. An example of a good policy is that younger kids must put on life vests BEFORE stepping onto the dock. For older kids consider a policy of a curfew for dock use, or always requiring they notify you when they intend to use the dock.
• Preventative Maintenance: Maintenance tasks will help keep your dock a safer space for everyone and can allow you to avoid heavy expenses for repairs. Preventative maintenance includes cleaning your dock, regularly checking cables, replacing damaged or over-worn sections, storing loose items, and covering your boat.

After reading those tips, we bet you feel safer already! Safety is a big issue, but addressing it on your boat dock can be quite simple. If you have more questions about family safety on your boat dock or you want to know about dock accessories, give us a call today.

Buy a Boat and Accessories without Sinking Your Budget

Are you looking forward to winter ending and boating season beginning?

Do you already own a boat, or are you dreaming of making that big purchase?

Did you know that there are lots of accessories available that can not only make your boating experience more enjoyable, but also protect your investment?

At Alumi-Span, we offer a variety of unique dock accessories that add convenience and function to your boat dock. In addition, most of the accessories we sell are items that we manufacture designed around our boat dock system.

We believe in giving you the highest quality materials to make your boating experience the best it can be!

If you’re still waffling about making that big purchase, try asking yourself these questions before going shopping:

1. What will you use your boat for? According to The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the top reasons people buy a boat are fishing, cruising, and sailing. To save money, buy the simplest, cheapest boat for your use.
2. Do you really have time to enjoy your boat? Avoid purchasing a large boat if you think you’ll only be able to enjoy it once a month. If you love boating but don’t have a lot of time for it, consider renting.
3. Think you need a bigger boat? The NMMA says that ninety-five percent of U.S. boats on the water are 26 feet or less. Consider how many passengers you want to carry, and if you need room for just cocktail hour for friends, sleeping quarters, or simply a place to sit as you fish. Remember, the bigger the boat, the larger your cost is to operate.
4. Where will you keep the boat? The bigger the boat, the larger and stronger the trailer and car or truck you’ll need to pull it. Additionally, as size increases, you may find yourself needing to extend your boat dock, or get additional permits.

Once you’ve asked yourself these questions, it’s time for the fun part – shopping! Once you buy your boat, make sure to call Alumi-Span for all your boating and dock accessories!

We can help you install a great boat dock that will protect your investment by keeping your boat scratch and dent-free. To find out more about our accessories including dock lighting, stairs and steps, and boat dock bumpers, visit our website!