As I splash around in my PA-12 on straight floats in southern Maryland, I find that many of my associates have waterfront property. Due to the tides, occasional hurricane, and lack of regular seaplane operations, there just aren't many seaplane-friendly docks. In fact, there's only one and it's at the seaplane base I'm using. Lot's of big pilings everywhere, and fixed decking. The shoreline is generally unsuitable, too.
I am wondering what people use to make docks like this usable. It seems to me that the only way to do it is to park nose on. One must keep the bows from sliding underneath the dock boards, which could also damage the prop. I envision a very low cost bumper system you could hang off the side and projects a few feet below the waterline. Then you could nestle in nose-on and tie the sterns of the floats off to the side. Does anyone have pictures of a setup like this? Even better would be a portable one that I could toss in the extended baggage compartment for impromptu visits.
Thank you,
Silas
I am wondering what people use to make docks like this usable. It seems to me that the only way to do it is to park nose on. One must keep the bows from sliding underneath the dock boards, which could also damage the prop. I envision a very low cost bumper system you could hang off the side and projects a few feet below the waterline. Then you could nestle in nose-on and tie the sterns of the floats off to the side. Does anyone have pictures of a setup like this? Even better would be a portable one that I could toss in the extended baggage compartment for impromptu visits.
Thank you,
Silas