There are two main types of bottom paints, ablative and hard bottom. Bumper Types Bircher Airwave Switches Ensure safe and reliable door operations with the Bircher Airwave Switch. But no, fiberglass boats are not waterproof. A FAB Dock will be fine to leave in this state for a few months. Yes, it might eventually get you out of your FAB Dock, but at what cost? These reasons are mechanical issues, solenoid and wiring problems, blown-out fuse, old age switch, broken actuators, burnt door locks, rusting, and the worst central security system. November/December 2013 - Leak worsenes; water is breaching the Fabdock July 12, 2014 - Brad Smith accidentally puts a hole in it trying to fix the leak July 19, 2014 - Brad Smith emails Dean Howard telling him he put a hole in the Fab Dock trying to fix it following Dean Howard's advice. July-December 2014 - Brad Smith continues to call Dean Howard to find out when the ongoing leak will be fixed. Stop, relax, check and poke around the floor at the transom with your (non-sharp) boat hook or broom handle. Youll get better boat speed. If water is present, it will pump it out. You could test it in your own location, if you are happy to be scraping and cleaning the inside of your FAB Dock when you realise at what point you now have barnacles and other sea growth on the inside of your nice clean FAB Dock. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Since 2011 FAB Dock have been helping boaties world-wide to save time, money and the environment. Nothing was a bother and no question went unanswered. FAB DOCK: Yep, so the the product comes with a three-year warranty. This is being recognised in Britain and Europe with their new Biocidal Product Regulation. One of the many benefits of a FAB Dock is the fact that it is powered by 12-volt. The cost for a FAB Dock, an in-water dry docking manufacturer, ranges from approximately $7,000 to $21,000, depending on boat size. A revolutionary dry berthing and docking system to help keep your boat in first class condition, removing the need for anti-fouling, reducing maintennance costs, increased performacne and fuel economy and aiding you into your marina berth, you dont even need fenders and mooring lines. You dont have to do any of those things. The product is everything I had hoped and more. This environmentally friendly solution protects your boat from harsh slat water conditions. However, custom build models can cost as much as $55,000. Fab dock is a floating dock that keeps your hull dry but out of the water. Our team of boating enthusiasts understand the need to make boating easy and have worked tirelessly to develop a superior and economical dry docking system that suits all vessel types and locations. The drop point is the part of the FAB Dock where the rear section deflates and sinks underwater to allow your boat to enter and exit your FAB Dock and is always designed to be placed in front of the running gear of the boat. We strongly recommend that all of our customers talk to their local shipwright about what they recommend for their own boat and believe that it really is a worthwhile investment if you are planning on keeping your boat for any length of time. A FAB Dock will keep water away from your boat. June 5, 2012 - Brad Smith pays $5250 to have Fab Dock installed, June 19, 2012 - Electrical pump connection is replaced by manufacturer after a fault, July 5, 2012 - Brad Smith pays the remaining $5250 of the purchase price, End of 2012 - Manufacturer replaces the air pump, July 2013 - Starboard and rear floats start to deflate, September/October 2012 - Dean Howard inspects the Fab Dock but disputes he said he'd be back to fix the problem, November/December 2013 - Leak worsenes; water is breaching the Fabdock, July 12, 2014 - Brad Smith accidentally puts a hole in it trying to fix the leak. Don't miss out on the headlines from Gladstone. Its a case of leave it to the professionals so the marinas can be confident that standards are being followed. Our team of boating enthusiasts understand the need to make boating easy and have worked tirelessly to develop a superior and economical dry docking system that suits all vessel types and locations. Antifoul is also known as bottom paint or antifouling bottom paint. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Since 2011 FAB Dock have been helping boaties world-wide to save time, money and the environment. Even though a FAB Dock is the most ingenious dry docking system ever invented, its real benefit comes through its simplicity. Fine Design Marine is the European Distributor of Fab Dock dry docking systems from Queensland, Australia. The only problem with this theory is if their customer wishes to leave their fiberglass trailer boat in the water in an in-water dry docking system. If water is present, it will pump it out. Just wait until its banned and figure it out then? Copyright 2023 Multi-Fab Products. United States. They dont set out to poison the places they love. There is another choice though dont use it at all. SKIPPERS REVIEW: This is an inflatable system, what if I get a hole, what if I get a puncture? The ban has been delayed, but only because the alternatives were found to be toxic as well. Airbag Dock Parts; Architectural Fixes; Bumper Brackets and Blockouts; . Multi-Fab Products has over 2,500 dealers across the U.S.so if you want to outsource your loading dock service and preventative maintenance, we can direct you to a dealer in your area. European Union authorities are also concerned and Sweden and the Netherlands have partial bans. But what if you want to leave your fiberglass boat in the water? If a customer follows this principle in operating their FAB Dock, they will never have any problems. The fact that its solar-powered bring the eco credentials into play. Your FAB Dock will come with its own serial number which you can provide to your insurer when requested. The FAB Dock is designed so that when you drive in, the running gear will always be behind the drop point, therefore making it (almost) impossible to chew up the floor. If your hull has a nice slick paint job then you may not notice much effect. Now the inside of my FAB Dock looks like the outside. Nothing too much trouble. Boat owner Brad Smith felt he had won a small victory for consumers when Gladstone Magistrate Penelope Hay sided with him in a case against Fab Dock owner Dean Howard --- but Mr Howard plans to appeal the decision, claiming it sets a "horrible precedent". July 19, 2014 - Brad Smith emails Dean Howard telling him he put a hole in the Fab Dock trying to fix it following Dean Howard's advice. That means more expense for you. It is essentially a floatable that is custom fit to your boat. The very mention of these words is enough to send shivers through the most experienced of fiberglass boat owners. Multi-Fab only sells to registered dealers; however, we are happy to assist you in locating a dealer near you. We offer the best technical support in the business. So, I can literally say that having my boat live in a FAB Dock is a life saver. They are the least expensive, fastest to install and give you a good solid feel under your feet. The pump assembly is mounted on the floor of the FAB Dock, under the deepest part of the boat. Multi-Fab manufacturers and sells a complete line of aftermarket parts and accessories for all major manufacturers of loading dock equipment and specialty door parts. More and more boatyards are banning owners from doing their own DIY job because they want to control risk factors and insurance. Environment Southland biosecurity staff were carrying out training in use of a new inflatable vessel quarantine dock. Subscribe to our newsletter for news, updates, exclusive discounts and offers. Phone. Most insurance providers are happy to insure your FAB Dock as part of your boat insurance policy without any trouble. The innovative design of the FAB Dock aids the berthing process and prevents any marks or damage to your boat from pontoons. More research is being done on the alternatives but restrictions on copper leach rates are under consideration. Connect with Us! After all, it is designed to be on the water. If you don't have a dock but want to moor your boat, Fab dock may be the answer f.. By removing the requirement for ongoing anti-foul you will save an average of 10% on your fuel costs. If you are going to have your boat out of your FAB Dock for more than a few months, you might want to remove your FAB Dock from the water and store it on land somewhere. That is what I thought when I bought my first boat too. Ensure safe and reliable door operations with the Bircher Airwave Switch. However, the reverse is true when you are entering your FAB Dock. Surely a fiberglass boat is waterproof? If I know that I will be out of my FAB Dock for longer than that, I will inflate the rear section so that my FAB Dock is now closed and the trapped water is now contained with no flow. "On the other hand Mr Howard's version was, for the most part, unhelpful," it read. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. With the cost savings you make in maintenance and fuel your FAB Dock can pay for its self in as little as 3 years. What kind of warranty comes with it after you get it? Our patented sensor, the FAB Dock IQ, monitors your FAB Dock for water. Start enjoying the many benefits of our pre-built, ready-to-go range. The supportive buying experience and the after sales service by Dean and his team made the purchase an investment in improving our lives. For most people, they will only make that mistake once. This is an in-water docking system. Subscribe to our newsletter for news, updates, exclusive discounts and offers. Now imagine a marina with hundreds, or thousands, of boats, moored in it and you can see the problem. Custom built FAB Docks are designed so that the boat will stop at the front tube before your propeller can go over the floor and Universal FAB Docks have a harness system that does the same job. Mr Howard admits the service from his company hasn't been ideal but said he had hundreds of happy customers with Mr Smith the only disgruntled one because he didn't take care of the product. Exceptional product and exceptional service. Some boatyards are responding to these health risks by no longer allowing boat owners to do DIY antifouling. Its the same old story maintenance is a drag on your time and your finances. Your propellers are now dragging water from front to back and trying to suck the floor of your FAB Dock into your propellers. This is difficult enough when your boat is moored in a marina or behind your house but . Australia: 1800 322 362 NZ: 09 8011 100. And in the worst case scenario, would also hide any blistering that has already occurred or may occur at a later stage. With these products, the paint doesnt wear away butthe biocide does. However, as soon as I saw a FAB Dock I knew I had found the answer. Hard bottom, or non-sloughing, paintsusually consist of a tough epoxy coating. Magistrate Hay's decision read that Mr Smith gave a detail version, supported by emails exchanged between himself and Mr Howard. The innovative design of the FAB Dock aids the berthing process and prevents any marks or damage to your boat from pontoons or marinas. Chino Hills, CA 91709 1475 Avenue S., Suite 302 Grand Prairie, TX 75050 United States. Docking can now be done single handed. I do get a lot of comments on how well the FAB Dock blends into the environment and is unobtrusive compared to other systems, Like most boat owners, I am very fond of my boat. Shop Multi-Fab dock door parts and accessories conveniently online. SKIPPERS REVIEW: I am at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2019 and I came across this alternative way of docking your boat while keeping it out of the water. FAB Dock 2 FAB Dock - inflatable dry dock Model No's FD19, FD21, FD23, FD25, FD27, FD29 12v Dual Bilge Pump 4000 gph system . 1-18 of 164. Since your boat will be in water when it is being used it may be vulnerable to Osmosis. Some people might even call it obsessive. Our corporate headquarters located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, houses research and development, technical support call center, manufacturing and distribution facilities. Its not only poisonous to marine creatures, but to humans. Theres some debate about this but the consensus is, yes, bottom paint can slow your boat down. Youll be locked into a cycle of application, cleaning and re-application. Located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, our global headquarters houses research and development, technical support call center, manufacturing and distribution facilities. Elbow grease is the only safe way to get your FAB Dock back to its original clean condition. Door Interlock Switches from Multi-Fab help create a safe order of operations at loading docks by preventing equipment from activating prematurely or accidentally. Eventually, some slime will begin to appear, but that is easy enough to clean off when you are ready to place your boat back in your FAB Dock. SKIPPERS REVIEW:Is there a risk of some of water getting trapped under the boat allowing scum and mildew to build up? It is so easy to use, keeps my new boat clean and allows my kids to safely take the boat out and return it without damaging anything, Our FAB Dock has been amazing Not only does it keep our boat dry, but it helps me to berth it, first time, every time, just like a seasoned professionalEven my wife is confident enough to take the boat in and out herself, Very pleased with the results, no marine growth on the hull or stern drivesTherell be no anti fouling happening this year! Like all materials and coatings, gelcoat breaks down over time and becomes even more porous. It can handle gasoline, diesel, antifoul paints, normal boat washes and virtually anything that you can find on your boat or at your marina; but not chlorine. United States, 15271 Fairfield Ranch Road, Unit 120 For starters, it is not great for the environment and we all know that you bought your FAB Dock in the first place to save our marine habitat from the perils of toxic antifoul and bottom paint. Even Mercedes, Ferrari and Rolls Royce have warranty periods to cover any mistakes they make while producing their cars. Most boat owners dont believe me when I tell them, so it is off to the all-knowing Google to clarify and prove the point. Why do I need a FAB Dock? When your boats in there, you know that your boat is automatically 100% dry. The FAB Dock comes packed in a convenient box meaning if you need to relocate your boat or move home / marina, you can simply roll up your FAB Dock and take it with you. With the cost savings you make in maintenance and fuel your FAB Dock can pay for its self in as little as 3 years. Subscribe to our newsletter for news, updates, exclusive discounts and offers. But that is no reason to be complacent. The way it works is by using a biocide, which means life-destroying. A well made boat from a reputable boat builder is the first step. All rights reserved. When you are going through the water at speed, you are now forcing the water into any little crack or hole in the gelcoat. Not all such systems are actually dry but we do know that a FAB Dock is and will keep your boat dry while it is inside its FAB Dock. The preparation of the mold, the application of the gelcoat, the tie layer and then layers of fiberglass matting and resin is the judgment call of the operator on any given day. what is the tectonic setting of mt alayta, kimberly smith realtor,