help with set-up and takedown. Optional ramp modules let you beach your PWC or small boat on the dock surface, a boon because a dry hull is a cleaner hull. Pipe Dock Is it what I need? If you want a narrow finger dock (which may wobble as a modular floater), a pipe dock's legs keep it stable. And with a rigid dock surface, your glass of Zinfandel won't tumble when the kids jump off. But if lake levels drop, you'll have to climb out of your boat. Is tradition important? Pipe docks with wood decking look more familiar than most modular floating docks. What are the options? Most systems use aluminum frames, which are strong and light, if a little awkward for one person to handle. It's the decking that can get heavy; make sure it's easy to remove. Some systems, such as those from R&J Machine, Interco Fabrications, Dockmaster, and Naylor Systems, offer multiple decking options (and you can often save cash by building your own deck panels). DockinaBox keeps the decking decision Model-T simple: No-maintenance, slide-in plastic panels come in whatever colour you want, as long as it's grey or beige. Don't forget... All of the docks come with extras (cleats, bumpers, etc.), so be sure to factor them into the cost. And buy about 10 per cent more connecting hardware than your design calls for. Those metal bits are apt to slip through frigid fingers, leaving you one nut or bolt shy of playing with a