Frequently Asked Questions

What are Novafloat® bones?

Do all Novafloat® products have solid side walls?

On the individual tubes or IFL's how do I determine how many I need?

How do I determine which style float I need?

You state that your floats will outlast all other systems. What does that mean?

I am in an area of significant boat wakes and afternoon winds. Which system should I use.?

Is it a problem to have a 4 foot wide walkway?

I am rebuilding my marina and want to get my electrical and plumbing lines out from under the walers. What can I do?

Does Novafloat® build a floating wave attenuator?

What about shipping? Are Novafloat® products difficult to ship?

Where in the U.S are Novafloat® docks manufactured?

I have a large load that I want supported on the edge of my float. Will the float list with this load?

Does Deleron have a distribution network or dealers for their products?

I am considering building a floating home. Can Novafloat® docks be used to support my floating home?

What are Novafloat® bones?
Novafloat® "bones," are the assembly of the HDPE portion of the floating dock. The entire flotation module is constructed of HDPE plastic sheet and tube product and is thermally welded together to form a monolithic structure. If you purchase our “bones” all you need to complete your float are some stringers and decking commonly found at your local building supply center.

Do all Deleron products have solid side walls?
No, the lighter duty floats will have individual ends on the tubes and are connected together by the top structure, i.e., the wooden stringers.

On the individual tubes or IFL's how do I determine how many I need? We have a chart that states the buoyancy of the tube for given sizes and lengths. You need to determine the weight of your top structure and then calculate the number of tubes required. As a rule of thumb ˝ of the available buoyancy should be used to offset the weight of the top structure.

How do I determine which style float I need?
Our staff is available to discuss this with you and help you make the right choice.

You state that your floats will outlast all other systems. What does that mean?
The HDPE product that the float structure is made of is an inert product that will not rot, decay or otherwise decompose and has a life expectancy that has yet to be determined in the 50 plus years it has been used in the utility industry. We chose this product because of its strength, durability and UV resistance and because the structural characteristics of HDPE fit the unique requirements of a floating dock better than other typical construction material. When we state that our floats outlast others, we back up that statement with a stronger guarantee than the competition and by solid engineering design. We don't use vulnerable materials in vulnerable areas, i.e., wood members and metal fastenings in contact with the water, and we use monolithic construction of all plastic materials wherever possible. In short, the most vulnerable portion of a Novafloat® is the top structure, i.e., the stringers and decking. If the stringers and decking need to be replaced, these pieces can be replaced without disrupting the integrity of the float system, even the utilities, if used. No other float manufacturer can make this statement.

I am in an area of significant boat wakes and afternoon winds. Which system should I use.?
You most likely need our heavy duty system with a solid side wall. The solid side wall adds significantly to the stability of the float and will reflect waves from passing boats. Please consult the factory for further advice and information.

Is it a problem to have a 4-foot wide walkway?
The general rule of thumb is that the wider the walkway the more stable the float. Four-foot wide finger piers are not a problem for a Novafloat® floating dock system. We have a unique design that makes our narrow fingers more stable than with any other dock system. Narrow walkways, however, should be thought over carefully before ordering. This is true with anybody's system. There are some things that can be done to increase stability should narrow walkways be desired, so please consult the factory for further advice.

I am rebuilding my marina and want to get my electrical and plumbing lines out from under the waters. What can I do?
The Novafloat® dock system is the most utility friendly system available on the market. This floating dock system was designed by a former marina contractor with extensive experience in marina utilities. Our personnel have worked with all types of floating docks and suffered the frustration of constructing a serviceable utility system on these docks. During the design process of the Novafloat® system, utilities were very much a concern because the installation of utilities is becoming a bigger portion of the marina project all the time. Our expert staff at Novafloat® is available to help with your overall float layout including utility design. We are just a phone call away.

Does Deleron build a floating wave attenuator?
Yes, we do. We build custom designed floating wave attenuators. Our floating wave attenuators are designed by nationally recognized authorities on wave break design. These are private engineers, not employees of Deleron, and they recognize our product as the future of float design for the 21st century. Please consult our factory with your particular situation and we will put you in contact with the appropriate consultant.

What about shipping? Are Novafloat® products difficult to ship?
All of our products can be shipped by truck, barge, rail, or otherwise. Please consult the factory for shipping costs for your project.

Where in the U.S are Novafloat® docks manufactured?
Novafloat® docks are manufactured at the present time in Ephrata, WA. We plan to add additional manufacturing plant in the near future. If your project is significant enough, we can manufacture your floats at you site or marina. We are the only float builder with this program and it can save you significant costs, especially if your floats are wider than legal trucking limits. Please consult the factory for assembly options.

I have a large load that I want supported on the edge of my float. Will the float list with this load?
If we know the weight of the object, we can add supplemental flotation to compensate for the load so that the float is level with the load applied.

Does Deleron have a distribution network or dealers for their products?
Deleron is actively pursuing dealers to sell their products around the country. We welcome inquiries from float builders and marine contractors regarding becoming dealers for our floats and accessories. Dealers can purchase “bones” at discounted prices and finish the floats themselves to boost their profit margins. Contact the factory regarding sales opportunities for our products.

I am considering building a floating home. Can Deleron docks be used to support my floating home?
Absolutely! Deleron builds support structures for floating buildings such as cabins, homes, and commercial buildings. We can add holding tank for water and waste water as well as pumping systems if required.