The Docksider


Our Dock Mounted Kayak Lift Rack

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Mounting Your “DockSider” with the Wall Mount Rack Kit

Wall Mount Conversion Kit

There aren’t too many things that are more fun or more relaxing than kayaking and paddle boarding. A calming, sunny afternoon, good friends, and plenty of peace and quiet. Kayaking and paddle boarding are perfect hobbies for those who enjoy mixing relaxation with some physical activity.

These outdoor activities are great but the equipment can be difficult to store if you’re not well equipped. You can’t just leave a kayak in your truck bed for months on end and just tossing it in the garage or shed can look terrible and potentially ruin it.  

For storing your kayak or paddle board over the winter, your best bet is to purchase a Wall Mount Conversion Kit for your lift and storage rack (lift and rack sold separately). As long as you already have a “DockSider” Rack, these wall mount brackets are great for anyone who owns their own kayak and/or paddle board.

With the brackets included in the conversion kit, you can mount your lift and rack right on your garage wall and safely store your equipment 20 inches off the floor, allowing you to keep other items underneath and maximize your storage space. Designed for easy installation and secure winter wall storage, when kayak season is over, you can mount your rack to the wall of your shed, garage, or spare room and keep your kayak or paddle board safe.

This wall mount conversion kit comes with aluminum wall mount brackets and stainless-steel hardware. Simply secure these brackets onto the wall – either inside or outside –making sure they’re 32 inches apart, preferably on wall studs. Then mount your “DockSider” lift and storage rack to the wall and you’re all set. Don’t be unprepared at the end of this kayak season. Keep your equipment protected all winter long! Pick up some mounted kayak wall hangers for your “DockSider” Rack today.

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We are Open and Fulfilling Orders

DockCraft Industries LLC

April 6, 2020

Our Response to COVID-19

To our Valued DockCraft Industries Customers, Followers, and Friends,

In these unprecedented and difficult times, we hope this message finds you safe and healthy.  We at DockCraft, like you, are adjusting to this new way of life and are learning methods to be more responsible in our everyday activities.

DockCraft is a small online business in Western New York and we want to assure you that we will maintain operations in support of our customers,  The safety and well-being of our Staff is of utmost importance to us. We have implemented and continue to follow the CDC guidelines.

Probably, the most significant bond we all share is the love of being on the water!  What better way to get our exercise and practice social distancing!!  Our goal is to make that love easier and more convenient.

Happy Paddling!!  Be Safe

Cindy & Ed Wrobbel
Owners of DockCraft Industries LLC

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The Many Health Benefits of Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

By Ed Wrobbel, www.DockCraft.com – April 30, 2019

I was perusing the internet and came across numerous articles associated with the health benefits of kayaking and paddle boarding. Actually, any paddle sport.

The many articles claim 8 to 20 “top” benefits which I found very interesting.

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding skills can easily be learned in a day. And can be improved upon with each trip you take, all while benefiting your physical and mental health.  Of course, the more often you paddle, the greater benefit you’ll receive.

Physical Benefits:

A low impact activity  – Even if your joints are weak, paddling will help you benefit from aerobic fitness, strength building, and greater flexibility. Don’t risk wear and tear on your joints and tissues, go paddling.

Burn those Calories    – Paddling along at 5 miles per hour, without wind and heavy currents, will burn approximately 400 calories per hour.

Fitness – While paddling, every mile you travel it will require approximately 500 strokes.

Core Strength – Every time you complete a stroke, your abdominal muscles contract and do a fair amount of work. Stronger core muscles will help you in all activities, increasing your endurance and changing the way your body looks.

Arm Strength – During a kayaking session the two main by-products of the work is exercising the biceps and triceps. As you are taking a paddle stroke, the bicep in one arm is pulling the lower part of the paddle and the tri-cep in the other arm is pushing the top of the paddle forward thus putting torque on the paddle which creates work for both muscles. Each session will build your upper body strength overall.

Leg Strength – Your legs are an important part of balance within the kayak and the rocking of your board as you paddle. As you learn a better paddling technique you learn to work the legs with the hips to help turn, stabilize or brace the kayak or board.

Cardiovascular – Low impact exercises like kayaking and paddle boarding certainly support heart health. Paddling, even just fifteen minutes per day, will improve your cardiovascular system. You can alter your kayaking or paddle boarding sessions to be as easy or challenging as you want. The faster you paddle, the harder your heart pumps to get moving.

Balance – I recently had an ankle injury and my Physical Therapist had me doing balance exercises while standing on a semi hard foam pad. Similarly, the more you practice paddle boarding, the better your balance will be both on and off the water. Paddle boarding develops your sense of stability which helps in daily life as well as in other sports.

Vitamin D – is something that our bodies need to function properly. Those who don’t have a healthy amount in their system are prone to fatigue, depression, bone weakness, chronic pain and more. Being outside in the sun helps your body get that special vitamin it needs to function properly. Just remember to bring sun screen!

Mental Benefits:

Stress Reduction – It’s a long day at the office, you are thinking of all those emails you have to send and the demands of your deadlines. Well forget all of that stuff and jump into a kayak after a long day of work! Truth is there are lots of ways to de-stress … going to the gym, going for a walk …but none of them can compare with the tranquility of floating on the calm water and being in the great outdoors. Spending a few hours under the sky, on the water watching the colors of the blues, the greens, the grays, and the browns is enjoyable. When you add the physical activity of paddling it can greatly reduce stress allowing you to think clearer and giving you a better night’s sleep.

Emotional – The time spent in nature is probably one of the most surreal things you can experience!  If you are a couple kayaking with a favorite activity such as fishing or touring then it increases your positivity tenfold! It also provides the opportunity to bring people closer together such as families, couples or friends!

Mental Clarity – It has been proven time after time that doing some sort of physical activity then returning back to work helps you get through the day with more focus and determination. This is no different when kayaking! Being out in the open water is very meditative and allows your brain to release those thousands of thoughts that are racing through your brain and instead, enjoy the moment. In fact, many people make it a routine to do some kayak exercise after work as it helps them de-stress and enjoy being in the moment. When you’re paddling over the lake or the sea, you might find that your daily stress and worries are left ashore. While paddle boarding, your brain is focused on the physical movements and environment of paddle boarding, leading to mental clarity and a chance to disconnect from the world of social media, work, and other everyday details.

For those waterfront owners, spend your energy on your paddling journey.

Use the DockCraft Industries Kayak / Paddle Board Lift and Dock Storage Rack

Stow your gear until your next journey.

It’s Neat / Convenient / Affordable

Just Load, Lift, and Store!

www. DockCraft.com

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Are You Considering Buying a Paddle Board (SUP)?

March 9, 2019 | Ed Wrobbel | DockCraft Industries LLC

Interests in Paddle Boarding
Paddle Board Types

Paddle Boarding offers:
– The Serenity and Solace of the open outdoors and the quiet of the water
   lapping against your board.
– The Core Body workout that Paddle Boarding offers; or
– Quiet time with friends, away from the everyday pace.

There are a few things you should be aware of before your purchase:

Construction – 4 basic construction techniques:

Epoxy Fiberglass: a solid board made with an EPS foam core (similar to a high-density foam cooler) wrapped with fiberglass and epoxy. Fairly lightweight, stable and rigid.
Pros: Generally, the most stable, faster, good tracking and control.
Cons: Most difficult to transport and store, can be dinged or cracked, more expensive.
Good for recreational and touring Paddle boarders.

Soft Top boards: similar to Epoxy Fiberglass boards, but the top of the board is covered with a sponge material that shows less dings and scratches.
Pros: Good for a beginner who is more likely to run into docks, rocks, or other obstacles. Falling down on the board is less likely to hurt.
Cons: Extra padding makes these boards slightly heavier, more prone to punctures
Good for water front owners, recreational paddlers, and one size fits all.

Thermoplastic: a molded shell around a foam or hollow core.
Pros: Less likely to ding or scratch, heavy daily use, Beginning paddlers
Cons: Heavier than other boards, less maneuverable and performance oriented.
Least costly

Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board (ISUP): constructed of heavy-duty commercial PVC. Cross stitched construction which creates an air pocket / core. When inflated, the board is very rigid, similar to a basketball.
Pros: Portable and can be stored easily when deflated. Less likely to be damaged when hitting obstacles.
Cons: Needs to be inflated prior to use; inflating device must be transported as well as. A slight performance degradation as they tend to float on the water as opposed to cutting through the water.

Paddle boards have 4 dimensions that you should be familiar with:

Volume (a function of length, width, and thickness).
The volume determines the load capacity of the board – can it support your weight?
You do not have to be very concerned about this as most boards have the volume and weight capacity labeled on them. Select a board where your weight is within the range provided.

Length  – Longer boards are typically faster and go straighter, whereas shorter paddle boards are more maneuverable.

Width – The most important in regard to stability. Narrower boards go faster. The extra stability of a wider board may make you feel more comfortable and paddle more efficiently.

Thickness  -Inflatable paddle boards are 6 inches thick and hard paddle boards are generally 4 inches thick. Thicker inflatable boards make you feel higher above the water and are more stable, however, the performance is not as good.
Hard Paddle Boards are shaped to reduce weight and optimize performance, yet less stable.

 

Paddle Board Configurations:

Nose shapes:

Wider noses have more flotation and provide more weight capacity for gear and pets.
Pointier/ Narrower noses cut through the water / waves more easily allowing better performance in racing and cruising conditions

Tail Shapes:

Pin Tail (which approaches a point) has good tracking, but not as stable on turns. Good for racing.
Square Tail provides stability and the ability to turn. Good for touring and shorter racing.
Round Tail, a combination of the Pin and Square Tail, is stable and easier to turn. Good all-around tail for SUP’s, but typically not used on race or high-performance boards.

Other features:

Fins: Fins help with tracking of your Paddle board, but most importantly they help you from having your board “spin / slide” out while turning.
All Paddle Boards come with fins; usually one, two, or three.
The single fin is great for lakes, bays, and ponds. The three-fin setup is best suited for the surf. The greater number of fins, the more specialized your board becomes.

 

Accessories Required for Paddle Boarding:

Paddle: Clearly, the paddle is required to propel you and your board through the water. Your paddle should be 6 to 10 inches taller than your height.

SUP Leash: This is a cord that attaches to you  (at your ankle or calf via a Velcro strap) and your board (coiled or straight). This leash is the only means of connecting you and your board. This safety device prevents your board from getting away from you in the event you have a mishap (loose your balance, stormy conditions, collide with something). Without the leash, your board could get away from you in just seconds. Additionally, your loose board could pose danger to others.

PFD (Personal Floatation Device): An extra safety feature for you in the event of a mishap.

Inflation Pump: Required for Inflatable SUP’s

 

Classification of Paddle Boards:

– All Around Boards
These boards have a round nose that is slightly raised out of the water in the front. This will push the water down while lifting the nose up. Great to handle waves. These boards tend to be 10 to 12 ½ feet in length and 30 to 34 inches wide. For greater stability look at the wider side of this range. Great for beginners, the casual paddler, Yoga and fishing. They are not the best for racing or touring. (Also, a good board for Yoga and Fishing)

– Touring Boards
These Paddle Boards typically have a pointed nose (to cut through the water) and are designed for longer, calm water paddling. Typically, these boards are longer and narrower, which results in less stability and less maneuverability. These boards tend to be longer (12 to 14 foot) and narrower (29 to 30 inches) which contributes to the speed needed for racing.

 

Hopefully this article will give you the required background information to have an educated conversation prior to the purchase of your SUP / Paddle Board and to fit your intended use.

 

Wait there’s more…… After Purchase needs!

Transporting your Paddle Board / SUP Home:
Once purchased, you will need to get your Paddle Board / SUP home! If you do not have a car top carrier (which, in most likelihood, you could purchase at the location you purchased your Paddle Board / SUP)) a pickup truck or a larger SUV, you could always rent a trailer from a local trailer rental agency.

Car topping your Paddle Board / SUP to your launching site:
– There are several sporting goods stores or online stores where you can purchase a car top carrier for Paddle Board / SUP.

Do you have waterfront property?
Check out the DockSider Paddle Board / SUP Dock Lift and Storage Rack @ https://dockcraft.com/paddle-board-lift-rack/
– Our Paddle Board / SUP Lift and Storage rack offers convenient launching and storage capability right where you need it – On your Dock! We have models that will suit your needs; whether you board your Paddle Board / SUP directly from your dock, or if you board your Paddle Board / SUP while you are in the water.

DockCraft Industries’ patented design allows you to load and lift your Paddle Board / SUP directly from the water. With our leverage assisted design, you only lift a fraction of your Paddle Board / SUP weight!
– Keep your Dock clear for safe passage.
– Watch our videos at https://dockcraft.com/product/Paddle Board / SUP-dock-rack/
– Half way down the page; select the video’s tab.

And Finally, Winter Storage :
– In the Off Season, you will need to store your Paddle Board / SUP away from the water.
– There are many Wall Mount racks available on the internet that will satisfy this purpose.
– You could also utilize the DockCraft Wall Mount Conversion Kit. This Kit will modify your DockSider Dock Lift and Storage Rack to a Wall Mounted Rack.

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A Message from Cindy and Ed

Hi Folks,

My wife, Cindy, and I own DockCraft Industries LLC.

Our company focuses on making the best and most convenient Kayak, Paddleboard, and Canoe Dock Mounted Storage Racks / Lifts that are on the market today.

“Bold statement” you’re probably thinking; perhaps – but also quite challenging; at least for us.

A little background,

Cindy (Master’s Degree in Education) and I (Degree in Engineering and a Master’s in Business) are both retired after 30 years with a Fortune 500 company.

We live on Canandaigua Lake in the beautiful Finger Lakes area of New York State.

Of course, we love the water, the activity on the lake, and recreational kayaking!

We had a problem:

We have a break wall requiring 5 steps down to our dock. Although our lake is shallow, knee deep in the Spring at the water’s edge; the steps required us to lug our Kayaks up and down or store them on our dock creating an obstacle course as we maneuver to the end of our dock. 

I had a good idea – So I thought:

Mount a couple of boards on the legs of our dock and have the boards extend beyond the edge of the dock. Then simply lift the kayak onto the boards and tie the kayak down.

My daughter (in her early 30’s) came back from a kayak journey one day and exclaimed – I love to kayak; but, what a pain to launch and lift the kayak to store!
Two reasons:  the cockpit fills with rain and sloshes around when launching, and the weight and bulk of the kayak create a cumbersome situation when lifting on the boards- especially if you try to lift one end and then the other.

“The DockSider” Kayak / Paddle Board Lift & Storage Rack was born!

After my daughters’ statement we got to thinking and watching our neighbors launch their kayaks.

For those with a sick sense of humor – it was actually quite comical.

Our Kayak / Paddle Board Dock Lift and Storage Rack:

  • Clears your Dock decking by sitting on the side of your Dock.
  • Lift with a fraction of the weight due to the patented leverage assist mechanism.
  • Stores at an angle eliminating Rain entering the cockpit.
  • Has height to water distance adjustment via pins and slots; to accommodate different water levels.
  • Our products include models for those that board their Kayak while in the water or from the dock (mucky /stony bottom, or Deep Water).
  • The mounts create loading on the decking of your dock not the side boards.  If your dock can hold you; it will hold your kayak or paddle board.

The patent for our Kayak & Paddle Board Lift / Dock Rack was issued in 2012.

Our primary reason for starting DockCraft Industries is to share our products with those that have a similar problem as ours.

Over the years we have had Thank You letters / emails from:

  • 25 to 80-year old’s
  • Husband and Wives
  • Grand Parents and Grandchildren
  • Customer Neighbors and Friends

It gives us great satisfaction and pleasure hearing that our customers find our racks so useful and convenient.

We hear:

  • I did a Happy Dance!
  • Wow, I use my kayak paddleboard much more now!
  • Unique / Easy to install and use / Great Quality!
  • My 82 year old Mother can now enjoy her Paddle Board!
  • See our Testimonials @ https://dockcraft.com/testimonials/

Our Business is based on our Customers:

  • The customer is the most important person in our company.
  • Without our customers we wouldn’t have a business.
  • The customer is not dependent on us, we are dependent on the customer.
  • We are not doing the customer a favor by serving them, the customer is doing us a favor by giving us the opportunity to do so.
  • The customer is a person who brings us their wants. It is our job to satisfy these wants to the benefit of Our Customer and to ourselves.

We are here to serve our customers – Email or Call us:

  • If you have any questions or have a unique application relating to our Dock Racks.
  • Have a problem or product idea for your dock or paddling needs; perhaps we could help!
  • Have a particular topic you would like us research and share.
  • Or simply want to share some info about your waterfront.

Thank You for taking time to read this blog.

Our Best to All !

Cindy and Ed

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Holiday Gifts for Paddlers

Whether it be Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa, finding a gift for the paddler in your life is pretty easy with online shopping.

Use your favorite Browser, and search for: Paddling, Kayak, or Paddle Board – and one of the following:

  • Holiday Decorations – You can find numerous kayaking or paddleboard ornaments.
  • Back Bands and Seats – Sitting in a kayak for a few hours is not easy on the lower back. Kayak back bands are devices that fit into the seat area of the kayak and provide lower back support similar to those you find for car seats.
  • Apparel – Whatever the weather, the kayaker and paddler needs to be dressed for it. If it’s hot or cold; wet or dry. Remember, layering is key. A couple of thinner layers is better than one thick layer.
    Find layering shirts and pants, wet suits / dry suits, Hats, paddling boots, and more.
  • T Shirts – There is an abundance of websites offering a variety of men’s and women’s Kayak and SUP T shirts.
  • Waterproof Adventure Journals – These Journals are waterproof that let Kayakers, Paddle Boarders, and any outdoor adventure enthusiast to keep notes during and after their trips. The adventure journal is perfect for writing down impressions, routes taken, things seen, people met, etc.
  • Kayak and Paddleboard Racks –
    • Auto Racks; If you have to transport your kayak or paddleboard via a Car or SUV to the water; these racks are a must. There are many companies that offer these units for sale.
    • Dock Racks and Lifts: If you live on the water, these racks offer the convenience of having your Kayak or SUP right at the point of use – over the water. Save your precious dock space.
      At this point I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our Docksider Kayak / SUP Lift and Storage Rack. “The DockSider” offers numerous features including lifting assist which reduces the weight being lifted via a patented leverage design.  Also; minimize rain entry into the cockpit as the kayak rolls over during the lift having the bottom facing upward. Shop now.

    and of course

    • Kayaks and Paddle Boards, nothing better than receiving a new one as a gift this time of year!!

    We hope this helps in giving you ideas for this Holiday Season,

    Best – Ed