Posts made in February 2020

Your seawall is your primary defense against erosion and flooding when you own a property that is right on the shoreline. Working with marine contractors in Florida to maintain these structures is a must if you want to keep your property looking its best even as the tides rise or big storms blow through.

Naturally occurring environmental conditions that threaten the functionality of your seawall. Make sure you have it checked out if you notice:

Significant Changes in Water Depth – A seawall is at its best when the water levels remain consistent. When waterway lock systems, canal dredging, dams, and climate change occurs, however, you might notice a significant change to water depth. When water levels continue to increase, your seawall may no longer be effective at preventing surges, while a decreased amount of water can create an imbalance of pressure against the seawall.

Severe Weather from Storms – Whipping wind, sand, and rain can begin to wear down your seawall. Regular maintenance can help fortify it against the wrath of Mother Nature, but a worn wall can easily succumb to the damage raining down on it. This can cause leaks, surges, and other events to occur.

When you need a seawall inspection or repair, turn to the experienced marine contractors at Vogell Marine.

Considering adding decks and docks in West Palm Beach? Then you might be wondering if it is worth getting a fixed or a floating dock. The solution depends on what you are looking for since both bring their own unique benefits to your property. Some of the reasons to consider a floating boat dock include:

Less Expensive & Easy to Install – Most floating docks are pretty basic, which means they can be purchased and delivered fully assembled. That means you can just send it out into the water easily and be ready to use it. Also, since there is less construction involved, you’ll find that the cost is lower than a fixed dock.

Easy to Maintain – Floating docks are made of low-maintenance materials, which means you don’t have to worry about painting or staining them. Just set up your dock and start enjoying it without any delay.

Adjusts to Water Conditions – Since it sits on top of the water, the rising and lowering of the tide have no real effect on your floating dock. It simply moves with the water so that you always on the same level as the surface.

Easy Removal – When nasty storms blow through, you can easily remove your dock to ensure that it isn’t damaged by the elements. Just place your dock in a safe storage area before a big storm and it will be there for you when you are ready to return to the water.

Trying to figure out what type of boat dock is best for your property? When it comes to Florida marine construction, a fixed dock might just be the best solution for your needs. While there are a lot of benefits to having a floating dock, a fixed boat dock brings some of its own unique benefits to the table that are worth considering. Some of these benefits include:

Increased Stability – While floating docks can be affected by the movement of the water, fixed docks are not. That means if you live in an area with strong tides, currents, or a lot of wave action, a fixed boat dock will keep your surface right where it is supposed to be.

Extended Living Space – Since fixed docks support more weight, you can decorate and enhance the space to make it even more enjoyable for you and your guests. Add outdoor furniture, a kitchen or grilling area, a bar, or just about anything else you could think of without worrying about it falling off into the water.

Withstand a Storm – Made from high-quality materials and professionally installed; these sturdy docks can remain in place even during some of the most severe weather. That means when the skies turn dark, you won’t have to worry about trying to quickly get your dock into storage before those first gusts blow through.

Having a brand-new dock built is a very exciting time, but trying to figure out what type of decking to use can be a real conundrum. Many marine contractors in Florida actually recommend PVC decking thanks to its wide range of benefits.

What makes PVC so much more attractive than standard wood decks? One of the first things you will notice is that these decks aren’t going to fade over time. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about resealing it. That means a better looking deck for a longer amount of time and far less maintenance. The benefits don’t stop there, however; your new PVC decking is also:

• Slip Resistant
• Resistant to Heat from the Sun
• Resistant to Mold & Mildew
• Splinter Free

The days of docks being major maintenance projects are over thanks to the advancements of the materials used to create them. State-of-the-art PVC is the stand out from these advancements, and it is one of the very best options available to you when you want a deck that perfectly fits your style and safety needs. Reach out to your local marine contractors to discuss the specifics of how a new PVC deck can enhance the look and feel of your entire dock.

At Vogell Marine Inc., we’ve handled all sorts of waterfront features for our clients over the years and are marine contractors in Florida that know what it takes to protect your property. We want to share some insight here that you will find useful.

Waterfront property is ideal for a home. It’s tremendously relaxing to sit on your private deck and listen to the gentle lapping of the waves, and even just looking at the water is known to have a calming effect on individuals.

From a commercial standpoint, a waterfront location is very beneficial as well because it offers direct access to an expansive transportation network for shipping and deliveries. In either case, though, you need to undertake a comprehensive maintenance and support plan to make sure your structures along the shore are safe, sound, and durable.

One of the first things you need to consider is what type of structure works best for you. Once you’ve passed that hurdle, you are likely going to need a permit. A reputable marine contractor will handle that for you as part of their services package.

Then, you’re on to the construction phase. Perhaps a dock or seawall will work best for you, or maybe you need a boat lift installed to an existing structure. After that, accessories should be added to finish the project and make it work best for you.

Water is an unrelenting enemy, and even in the calmest conditions, it is still working away at your property. Over time, that unceasing assault takes its toll and results in wear and damage to any shorefront feature. You can see this for yourself in the erosion of rocks along the coast and in the rust that’s visible on seawalls, for example. Freshwater or salt, it makes no difference as the impact is just as powerful.

At Vogell Marine Inc., we are a Florida marine construction company that knows how to help you protect your dock with the addition of pilings, and we’ve written about it here so that you can make the right choice regarding your property.

One of the most effective ways to protect your property is through regular inspections; in that way, you can detect any problems at the earliest possible moment and tackle them before they become major issues.

If a problem is discovered, act immediately to resolve it. These steps may include replacing damaged piles or adding caps, wrap, or bumpers to help ensure the integrity of the structure. A little preventative marine construction maintenance goes a long way toward helping you stay on top of this ongoing battle.

When you live by the water, you likely utilize a seawall to keep the surf at bay during high tides and storm surges. Like any Florida marine construction, these edifices don’t last forever. Tough though they are, constant exposure to the rough conditions of aquatic environments is sure to take a toll, and you want to keep your seawall strong in case of bad weather.

When you live by the water, you likely utilize a seawall to keep the surf at bay during high tides and storm surges. Like any Florida marine construction, these edifices don’t last forever. Tough though they are, constant exposure to the rough conditions of aquatic environments is sure to take a toll, and you want to keep your seawall strong in case of bad weather.

So, how do you recognize when it’s time to seek repairs? Here are a few good indicators:

Age — As with any structure, seawalls have a maximum recommended age. In this case, a well-maintained installation should last between 40 and 60 years. If your seawall is in or near that age range, it’s a good idea to be cautious.

Visible Damage — The most dramatic signifiers for needed repair are areas of apparent damage.  From cracks and buckling to actual collapse, these indicate an immediate need for intervention.

Expert Recommendation — Since seawalls serve such an important function, it’s always best to contact professionals when any issue has you worried. Qualified experts in marine contracting can help you understand the extent of the problem and how best to resolve it.

A boat is a major investment and often has sentimental value that can’t be measured in dollars. If you own one, you probably want to provide as much protection for your nautical navigator as possible. Some of the best solutions on the local market are premium marine boat lifts. These specially-designed pieces of equipment provide key benefits that make it vital for long-term ownership:

Quality Preservation — Just like any other vehicle, you want your boat to look or perform its best. Whether it’s made of fiberglass, aluminum, or plastic, you can keep it in the best possible condition by raising it out of the water for storage. This helps to prevent stains, scum, slime, and barnacles that would otherwise build up in layers on your boat.

Safe Storage — Simply mooring your boat to a dock or buoy leaves it vulnerable to damage from any number of sources. Rocking waves, high winds, and intense rain could all cause damage or even snap tethers and leave you wondering where your precious boat went. A lift is much more secure and keeps boats above the chaos that can happen at water level. With an added canopy for UV protection, a lift is the perfect way to prevent some of the worst-case storage scenarios.