Leave Your Boat Dock In All Winter With These Tips From The Dockman

Hey everyone, Jerry Wilson here — most folks know me as The Dockman.

Every season when winter comes around, we often get asked, “Can I keep my boat dock in through the winter?” And in some cases, you can. Smaller bodies of water (100 acres or less) mean less ice pressure, so in those cases you’re good to go. But if you want to add some reinforcement to your boat dock to help it survive the winter, watch our latest video for some tips from The Dockman.

There are a few upgrades you might want to make to your dock to help it stand up to the kind of ice pressure that the Great Lakes State guarantees every year. A thicker 6-inch side extrusion and sturdy welds on the dock frame are a great start. A seawall adapter creates a solid connection to your seawall and keeps your dock from shifting. Heavy-wall poles with augers and bottom plates will secure your dock firmly to the lake bottom, while a diagonal brace system — a recent creation from Waters Edge and our friends at Great Lakes Lift — offers another line of defense against ice movement. Best of luck and we’ll see you next spring!

1. Location Is Everything

Before you even think about the structure, look at your body of water.
If you’re on a small inland lake (under 100 acres), a quiet canal, or a protected bay, you’re usually safe to keep your dock in. These areas don’t experience the same kind of ice push and shifting you’ll get on big open lakes like Houghton or Torch. The key is to avoid wide-open exposure to wind and ice movement.

2. Start with a Strong Frame

If you want your dock to hold up through the freeze, start with that six-inch side extrusion on your dock sections.
Many systems only use a four-inch frame, but that extra two inches of aluminum gives your dock much more strength when the ice starts pressing against it. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in winter survival.

Also, make sure your dock has a welded frame with proper bracing. A dock that flexes or twists under pressure won’t last long once the ice starts shifting.

3. Use a Seawall Adapter

If your dock ties into a seawall — whether it’s steel, wood, or concrete — add a seawall adapter bracket.
This bolts directly into the wall and secures the dock firmly in place, preventing it from moving back and forth with ice pressure. It’s an extra layer of defense that keeps everything tight through winter’s worst.

4. Upgrade to Heavy-Wall Poles

Most standard dock poles are what we call “light-wall,” meaning the aluminum tubing is fairly thin. That’s fine for summer, but if you’re leaving your dock in for winter, step up to heavy-wall poles.
These have the same diameter, but the aluminum is twice as thick — which means far less bending, twisting, or warping when the ice expands.

5. Don’t Forget the Base

On the bottom of each pole, use a heavy-duty auger and large bottom plate.
The auger screws down into the lakebed, and the plate adds support above it. Together, they help the dock resist heaving and shifting when the lake freezes and thaws.

6. Add a Diagonal Brace System

One of my favorite winter upgrades is a diagonal brace system.
It’s a simple but effective setup: a brace clamps onto a dock pole, while the other end is augered into the lake bottom. This stabilizes your dock and stops it from rocking or shifting side-to-side when the ice pushes around it. We developed this with Great Lakes Lift to give our Michigan docks an extra layer of winter protection.

7. Prepare, Don’t Repair

The biggest mistake I see every year is folks waiting until spring to find out what went wrong. A little bit of preparation in October can save you a ton of repair work in April.
If you reinforce your dock now — before things freeze up — you’ll be in great shape when the ice melts.

Final Thoughts

Michigan winters can be unpredictable, but your dock doesn’t have to be a casualty of the cold.
With the right setup — strong extrusion, heavy-wall poles, seawall adapters, and solid bracing — you can safely leave your dock in through the winter and save yourself the hassle of pulling it every fall.

If you’re not sure whether your setup is ready for winter, give us a call at Waters Edge Dock & Hoist. We’ll help you assess your dock and get it properly outfitted to handle the elements.

Until next time, stay warm — and remember, a dock built right can take the fight to winter.

— Jerry “The Dockman” Wilson
Waters Edge Dock & Hoist

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