Local builders lend advice on design, compliance & safety
The beauty of lake living is being able to enjoy the views from your home and right on the water. Whether you are a new property owner rolling out the blueprints or you’re ready to dive into a renovation, give your watercraft a proper home, too.
Photo: Michael Patch
SML guidelines
Today’s docks are designed with both architectural appeal and prime function. At Smith Mountain Lake, they must also adhere to the Shoreline Management Plan — federal regulations implemented in 2003 (and managed by AEP) that protect the lake’s environmental resources and power production assets. Dock rules primarily center on size and safety features.
Jason Turner, president of Turner’s Dock Building, is a second-generation business owner who grew up on the lake with a front-row seat to all the growth. His 48-year-old company has outfitted many lakefront homes with customized docks that fit well within the parameters of the plan. He says the main goal is to meet a family’s particular needs while maximizing the space allowed.
“When Shoreline Management came into effect, it really started to impact the design of what you’re doing on the docks,” he says. “Back 20 years ago, the dock sizes were probably a little bit smaller because people built what they wanted at the time, knowing they could always go in and add to it later. Now, we’re seeing a lot more people saying, ‘OK, well, we’re allowed 1,500 square feet [for a property with between 100 and 300 feet of water frontage], so we’re going to maximize it. The challenge is trying to come up with the design to accommodate their boating need versus their entertaining need. And a lot of times, in 1,500 feet, the two collide very often.”
Photo: Michael Patch
Decisions, decisions
Deciding factors for a new build start with how much sun you prefer, the amount of watercraft and making sure the structure blends with your home’s unique style.
Turner says many of his clients are into retirement age and more sensitive to sunlight so they want a fully shaded sitting area in lieu of more boat slips. Some younger families, however, want as much sun area as possible.
Advancements in watercraft are also making this decision easier, Turner adds. Whereas some homeowners may have previously had both a pontoon for leisure rides and a speed boat for wakeboarding or waterskiing, many are now switching to a tritoon to serve both purposes — and thus planning their dock with a single boat slip (and sometimes a half slip for personal watercraft) to leave more space for entertaining.
When it comes to design, his clients typically want to go the extra mile to make sure their dock complements their home. “If you’ve got a really nice, big gable end on the front of your house, then you have gables down on your dock. All your siding matches up, all your finishes match up. The more that you can tailor your dock toward the house, the more impressive, in my opinion, it makes the property.”
That’s why he prefers to spend time with homeowners on their floor plan, then send it to an architect who will match the roof lines on the house and blend it together.
Safety First
The Water Safety Council with the Smith Mountain Lake Association says stray voltage in the water around docks is a serious risk for swimmers. Surrounding counties have worked to develop safety documents for dock owners. An electrical inspection guide and dock safety best practices are available at smlassociation.org/water-safety-council.Photo: Michael Patch
Tips
For older docks, schedule an inspection and contact an electrician to update all electrical.For all newer docks, which include GFI circuits, test the breakers once a month.
Keep the boat lift out of the water to prevent stray voltage. If someone takes a boat out while people are swimming nearby, they should raise the boat lift back out of the water after leaving.
Note: All dock permits issued after the Shore Management Plan was implemented require white reflectors on each outermost water-facing portion of the structure and every 20 feet on both sides. This is a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources recommendation to enhance safety by helping to alert mariners of structures on the lake.
Lynn Swain, owner of Inland Shores Dock Construction and in the business for 35 years, also works with an architect for his new and remodel projects, encouraging creative designs.
“The docks are getting a lot fancier and more upscale than the docks we’ve built in the past … to accommodate more expensive boats.”
Photos Courtesy of Lynn Swain
For a new house, “we always want the dock to look like it belongs to the house,” Swain says. “When you pull up on the lake side (you notice) that the dock matches the house real well; the colors, roof shingles, dormers, roof designs, it’s got to correspond with the house.”
For older docks built before the plan came into effect, as long as you’re not expanding the size and keep within the footprint, then dock builders will work with you on permits for upgrades.
Swain says homeowners are asking for cathedral ceilings and creative features like suspended daybeds, upscale decking and rails, gazebos and even cupolas to accent the roofline. “We’ve got several different sizes of cupolas we use, and with a solar light in it where it lights up at night, it kind of looks like a lighthouse.”
Entertaining spaces
For those who have room for entertaining, Inland Shores has installed small bars with a cabana, outdoor TVs that fold down from the ceiling and speaker systems.
His company has recently installed the first hydraulic lifts on the lake, using alternative energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines. Other technology upgrades include all LED lighting and remote controls for hydraulic lifts, lighting and security.
“You can control this from your smartphone. When you’re coming in on the boat and it’s getting dark, you can cut your lights on with your phone. We can put the smart locks on them to lock or unlock it, and you can monitor it at all times with the security cameras.”
Also popular are remote-controlled stairs that fold down from attic spaces to provide easy access to items like skis, fishing rods and cleaning products.
Turner says he’s also seeing clients upgrade to remote controls on boat lifts. “We sell hundreds of them every year; that’s a great upgrade to an existing dock.” Another popular request is a deluxe ladder that is angled and has wider treads and a secondary handrail.
He says although some new homeowners may request a bar or a pass-through in their design, they must still be reminded that space is limited by the plan.
From the pretty to the practical, builders will help you design the dock that best fits your family’s needs and guide you through the proper permits so the only thing that’s left is to enjoy your time on the shore. ✦