How to Connect Floats

Congratulations on your purchase of an AccuDock floating dock system. In this video, we will be focusing on how to connect floating dock sections. Scroll down to read the transcription of the video.

Video Transcription

Our main connectors are S-style, T-style, and H-style. There are many other possible connectors based on your specific configuration.

You will need the following items for the assembly of your floating dock system:

• A drill with a 5/16” bit
• 3” Allen bolts (These were provided by AccuDock along with your floating dock.)
• 1” set bolts (These were provided by AccuDock along with your floating dock.)
• A 3/4” and a 1/2″ wrench
• An Allen wrench
• A mallet or a hammer

Make sure you have all the connectors, along with the bolts and tools, nearby before beginning the assembly. This will help your assembly process be more efficient.

S-Style Connectors for Your Floating Dock System

Lay out your dock sections in an open area where you can easily connect and shuffle around. The area will have to be fairly large with lots of space, like a backyard.

Arrange the sections accordingly to the configuration or design of your floating dock system. Dock sections can be assembled in water.

Each dock section should have an aluminum frame along the outside that will fit with the connector and another dock section. Before drilling any bolts, place your connector in the right position to ensure the proper location.

Once the Allen bolts are removed, align the connector inside the pathway. Remember: always keep the connector in the right position. This is important. Make sure the sides with the larger gaps are facing outwards, down and out.

Repeat these steps on the other side of the dock section.

Once the connectors are in place, push both dock sections together so that they are aligned and in place. 1” set bolts have been provided for each connector. Each frame has been equipped with welded aluminum nuts to accept the set bolts. Screw in the set bolts into the nuts to apply upward pressure to the connector. This will eliminate any play in the connector. Bolts should be set firm, but do not overtighten.

Dock sections should be connected at this point. Take your 5/16” drill and drill through the pre-drilled holes where the Allen bolts were previously removed. Place those saved Allen bolts into the frame through that hole. Secure the Allen bolt with a lock washer and nut.

Once all Allen bolts are back in place, you may tighten using a 1/2″ crescent wrench or socket.

H-Style Connectors for Your Floating Dock System

If your configuration requires four dock sections to be connected, you will employ H-style connectors.

Lay out your dock sections and arrange the sections accordingly to the configuration or design of your floating dock system.

In this unique situation, you will be connecting four dock sections together. Start by assembling two of the four dock sections as previously described, using the S-style connectors on the outside.

Repeat this step with the remaining two dock sections.

Once the S-style connectors are in the place, the center of the configuration with require an H-style connector. Remove the Allen bolts from the interior section of the dock sections. This is where the H-connector will go.

Once the Allen bolts are removed, insert one of the halves of the connector into the interior frame, aligning the holes of the connector with the Allen holes from the dock frame. Once aligned, tighten the 1” set screws from the bottom up.

Drill out the pre-drilled Allen bolt holes. Insert the previously removed Allen bolts and secure with a lock washer and a nut.

Add the two S-style connectors to the outside of the floats and align them, bringing the four sections together.

Once together, connect the outside connectors, set the 1” bolts, drill and secure the Allen bolts as previously described.

Once all the exterior connectors are secured and tightened, you will have to drill the remaining two Allen bolts in the center of the configuration. Tighten the remaining 1” set bolts for the H-style connector and secure the remaining two Allen bolts with a lock washer and nut, using a 1/2″ wrench.

T-Style Connectors for Your Floating Dock System

In situations where your configuration calls for three dock sections to be connected, you may need to employ a T-style connector.

Lay out your dock sections and arrange the sections accordingly to the configuration or design of your floating dock system.

In this unique situation, you will be connecting three dock sections together. Assemble the first two dock sections as previously described, using an S-style connector on the exterior side and a T-style connector on the interior side.

Secure these connections using 1” set bolts and 3” Allen bolts. Bring the third dock section into place. This should look like an L-shaped configuration. Remove the Allen bolts where the connectors will go. Place the dock section into place with one additional S-style connector.

The third leg of the T-style connector will take the place of the other S-style connector in this scenario.

Secure the dock section into place, aligning the holes of the connector with the Allen holes from the dock frame. Once aligned, tighten the set screws from the bottom up.

Drill out the pre-drilled Allen bolt holes, insert the previously removed Allen bolts, and secure them with a lock washer and a nut.

For more information, contact AccuDock at 954-785-7557 or email info@accudock.com.

>> Looking for tips on how to attach your AccuDock floating dock to shore? Check out this blog post.