FAB Dock Dry Dock Solution - Anyone know about them?

[saltydogz]

I saw this company, FAB Dock Dry Dock Solution (fabdock.com), in the latest issue of BOAT U.S. magazine. We had our last boat on a lift (15k) and enjoyed it, but with our new boat (2008 SeaRay350) it requires a 24k lift. The price of the lift and 8 new piling puts the price up there around $30k.

I sent them an email to get more information and a quote, but was wondering if any one here has heard or seen this product. They are out of Queensland Australia, but say their available worldwide.

Thanks and here is to warmer weather and back to boating.

 

[dtfeld]

Interesting idea. I'm not sure it accomplishes the same result as a lift. The bottom is still in the water. It might reduce growth, but not eliminate it.

 

[All's Well]

Interesting idea. I'm not sure it accomplishes the same result as a lift. The bottom is still in the water. It might reduce growth, but not eliminate it.

Agreed - Kind of like a life preserver for your boat.
In case it gets tired of ... well .... floating

Beautiful boat in the video though

 

[spikedaddy99]

I don't think the bottom is still in the water. Looks like it was being pumped out at the end of the video. Maybe you don't get all of the water out, but most of it. Makes me wonder about the strain on props and rudders though pushing up from underneath. Mike

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

WOW that looks pretty cool. I would guess the price goes by the footage but I am following this...

 

[MonacoMike]

No AC out of the water, so out for my needs.

MM

 

[KevinC]

Interesting idea. I'm not sure it accomplishes the same result as a lift. The bottom is still in the water. It might reduce growth, but not eliminate it.

Might even make is worse since the confined water will likely stay at a warmer temperature and no water flow from current.

-Kevin

 

[KevinC]

Unless they have an a different option it will not work for me as I have to dock stern in.

-Kevin

 

[KevinC]

No AC out of the water, so out for my needs.

MM

Yep, gotta keep the AC running in the summer.

-Kevin

 

[Third Edition]

If you run a stand-alone dehimidifer it would work, perhaps. I've heard of folks with them putting a bit of bleach in the water to kill the growth.

 

[Stee6043]

I'm trying to imagine how that thing would stay put in a slip while you're out and about?? I'm sure it's anchored somehow but I'm betting it moves quite a bit with enough wind/current when there is no boat in it?

As if I don't have enough to deal with when docking....I'd really love to try to thread the needle on this inflatable target that becomes invisible in front of me once my bow gets within 50 feet of it

 

[ozboatie]

Hey there,
I am from Perth in Australia and know about Fab Dock.
They definitely keep the boat out of the water, and in Australia is marketed an alternative to antifoul (horrible stuff).
Saw one on display at a boat show here and they also have very good reports in Australia.
We don't have a mooring (our boat lives on a trailer in our driveway), but plenty of Fab Docks around here.
Hope that helps

 

[Todd320]

I did notice that shaft drives require a custom build. So, I guess they build it custom to reduce/eliminate strain on the props/shafts.

 

[230weekenderUSC]

I use a slip liner. Mine is made by a company that is no longer in business but armored hull boat shields makes them in San Diego. Boat sits in a liner, one chlorine tab float, no growth at all after over a year in the Slip.

 

[Stee6043]

I use a slip liner. Mine is made by a company that is no longer in business but armored hull boat shields makes them in San Diego. Boat sits in a liner, one chlorine tab float, no growth at all after over a year in the Slip.

Wow - you're allowed to float chlorine in the seawater in California? I would have thought that was three kinds of illegal in CA....

 

[Gofirstclass]

S-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H you're not supposed to say that out loud.

 

[Pat @ FAB Dock]

Hi guys,

This is Pat. I work for FAB Dock in the US. The product has been built and installed under more than 500 boats in 11 countries over the past 9+ years so not a new or unproven product by any means, just more of a new concept to boaters here in North America. There are now approx. 50 FAB Docks under boats here in the US with more going in every day. Just sold three more on Wednesday and Thursday. I can clear up some of the questions..................


1) The FAB Dock is a true water level dry dock. Once you pull the boat in, close the rear gate, and pump all the water out from the inside your boat is dry............no water left behind touching the hull or running gear. There is an 8" deep pump box that creates a sump built into the hull protection membrane below the boat. When the FAB Dock is pumped dry the only water left is at the very bottom of the 12" x 8" sump at the pump box floor and that is 8" below the hull

2) It does completely eliminate growth on the bottom of the boat. Again, unlike some other similar looking products the FAB Dock gets pumped completely dry, it's not just capturing water inside that the boat floats in that could allow osmosis to occur. Because of this you do not need any bottom paint at all. Plenty of fresh gel coated hulls in FAB Docks that are just as nice as they day they left the factory.

3) Pricing is based on size and style. We make FAB Docks in two ways. We make a universal range of FAB Docks for conventional V hull outboard and stern drive boats from 18 to 45 feet long. For everything else we will make a custom built FAB Dock specific to that boat. This includes shaft and rudder boats, pod drive boats, anything with a multi hull, and anything larger than 45 feet long or 13 ft wide. We are actually doing a custom now for a 34 SeaRay Sundancer with shafts and rudders in Florida.

4) Your AC can be used in a FAB Dock with a bit of ingenuity. Actually another SeaRay FAB Dock customer in Hilton Head SC came up with this solution...........he installed a Y selector ball valve into the AC water pick up hose in the engine bay. He then put a length of hose onto that with a one way check valve (to maintain a prime) and an inlet screen at the end of the hose. When his boat is inside the FAB Dock he switches the Y valve to select the remote pickup hose, drops that hose over the side of the FAB Dock to the outside water, and he is good to go running his AC.

5) It is true that you do have to drive bow first into a FAB Dock. We do not yet have one that will allow backing into the slip. Because the FAB Dock is not reliant on the dock for power and just ties up to the dock like the boat you can move both around as a unit once the boat is inside. We have a couple customers that do that for big center console tenders used with mega yachts. Obviously I don't see your average guy pulling into the FAB Dock then untying it and spinning the whole thing around every time he's using it but it is possible.

6) The FAB Dock is tied to the slip with lines in the same manner that the boat ties to the slip. When you are away from the slip the majority of the FAB Dock is under water so it doesn't not swing or fly around. When you return to the slip you are looking at the opening at the rear of the FAB Dock that is slightly wider than your boat. One of the best features of the FAB Dock is the ease of docking that it provides. There’s not MORE to do when docking, there’s LESS to do and worry about. You no longer have to hang a bunch of conventional fenders from the boat or have extra people fending off to avoid unintentional contact with the dock. The perimeter of the FAB Dock is a 12" diameter polyurethane tube filled to 25 kpa air pressure. Just aim the bow of the boat in between the opening at the back of the FAB Dock, and nudge forward to glide in. If you have a cross wind or current it’s not a problem as you can come into the FAB Dock at an angle and bounce your way in with no damage to the boat or FAB Dock. You always have 360 degree fenders at your dock ready to protect your boat.

7) Yes, FAB Docks are custom built for shaft and rudder boats with heavily reinforced pockets built into the hull membrane that encapsulate and protect everything below the water line.

8) Unlike the chlorine concerns mentioned in relation to the other product, FAB Dock has actually been adopted by the state of CA as an environmental solution to help keep waterways cleaner by reducing the use of anti-fouling bottom paint. The state has a FAB Dock in place under a boat in Marine Delray that they’ve been testing since the summer of 2018. They love it and just ordered another FAB Dock in March.


Anyway, not trying to create a sales pitch. Just wanted to clear up some mis-information and answer some questions. If you have any other questions I’d be happy to answer them.

Thanks, Pat
pat@fabdock.com

 

[Korkie]

Have seen this in person. it was under a 320 with outdrives. Watched the guy dock, close up the stern end and pump off the water. All being done as he unloaded gear. Very cool system. Only concern I would have is how well it would hold up in brackish/salt water so far as having to pull out and clean, etc.

 

[Todd schrock]

Interesting idea. I'm not sure it accomplishes the same result as a lift. The bottom is still in the water. It might reduce growth, but not eliminate it.

Actually in reading up, the water is pumped out so bottom is left relatively dry. I don’t know if 100% gets removed though. I’ve been interested in them as well

 

[mnm99]

Have seen this in person. it was under a 320 with outdrives. Watched the guy dock, close up the stern end and pump off the water. All being done as he unloaded gear. Very cool system. Only concern I would have is how well it would hold up in brackish/salt water so far as having to pull out and clean, etc.

I was thinking the same thing. It would be a nightmare in the Northeast. The groth after the season wouldn't be worth the trouble. Good idea though.