Pole & sleeve anchoring is a useful anchoring method for docks that require heavy load support but need the flexibility to move towards and away from the shore in order to chase deep water during seasonal water fluctuations.

Pile anchoring is the most stable anchoring system for heavy load locations and is a good option for docks that do not need to chase the water for seasonal fluctuations. Two piling and multi-piling options are available with either solid or telescoping piles. Piles can be made from a variety of materials including wood, steel, concrete and PVC, depending on local factors. For securing the anchoring system, UHMW polyurethane rollers, hoops, and roller/hoop options are available.

Stiff Arm anchoring provides a relatively economical, effective means for dock anchoring when a dock layout runs primarily along the shoreline and the dock does not need to move in and out with seasonal water fluctuations. When more that 2 stiff arms are employed, such as for relatively long docks, the shore mounts of each stiff arm must be located very precisely, which can often be done with a properly erected seawall. In many cases, the gangway provides one ‘leg’ of the stiff-arm arrangement. Typically, cables are incorporated with stiff arm arrangement to adequately secure the dock.

The most common, cost effective, simple and often the best anchoring method for a floating dock is cable anchoring to shore connections. This flexible anchoring method is commonly used when a dock is in water that fluctuates frequently and significantly, when water depths are very deep and when a dock needs to be moved periodically to chase seasonal water fluctuations.

In many instances, cables are attached to augers or heavy weights, typically concrete blocks, which sit at the floor of the lake, river or ocean. Frequently, an elastic component is added in series to the cables in order to maintain tension and reduce the frequency in which winches must be adjusted. This method is very common with commercial docks that extend into deep water.

This anchoring system is a combination of dock-to-shore and dead weight cable anchoring. When there are heavy loads placed on a dock and the topography of the land prevents adequate cable separation on shore, this anchoring system can provide additional stability. Docks which utilize this anchoring method must be constantly monitored to ensure proper cable tension as water levels change - the nature of this anchoring system can create significant opposing forces on a dock with fluctuating water levels if not continually adjusted and, as a result, this anchoring method is used only in special circumstances.

This anchoring system incorporates elements of dock-to-shore and dead weight cable anchoring. In essence, self-adjusting cable anchoring is designed to naturally move a dock in and out with significant water fluctuations. Typically, this is achieved by attaching a cable to a dead weight, running it through the dock and attaching it to a point on the shore. This is done on both sides of the dock while the gangway either rolls on the shore or floats with floatation attached to its shore side. If properly designed and with ideal topography (moderately steep slope in water and on shore), this anchoring method can save a lot of effort. However, this anchoring method typically does not perform ideally in practice and requires monitoring to ensure the dock is moving freely.