7 Signs Your Dock Needs Repair Before Boating Season

By lozdock.com Editorial Team  ·  Updated June 2026  ·  5 min read

Missouri winters are rough on Lake of the Ozarks docks. Ice, fluctuating water levels, and months of stress on hardware and flotation mean most docks need some attention before the spring boating season begins. Here are the seven most important things to check.

Structural Signs: What to Look For on the Frame

Start with the frame itself. Look for any obvious bending, cracking, or buckling in the main outer beams. On wood-framed docks, press your foot firmly on suspect areas — soft spots indicate rot that may have penetrated deeper than the surface shows. On aluminum or steel frames, look for corrosion pitting, cracked welds, or bent members from ice pressure or boat impact. A frame that is structurally sound can have its decking and hardware replaced economically; a compromised frame is the argument for full replacement.

Check all connection points: where the gangway attaches to the dock and the shore, where dock sections connect to each other, and where the dock anchor chains or cables attach to pilings or concrete blocks. These high-stress connection points take the most punishment from the lake's fluctuating water level and wave action and are the most common failure points.

Decking and Surface Warning Signs

Walk the entire deck surface. Soft or spongy spots in wood decking indicate rot below the surface. Boards that flex significantly when stood on indicate undersupport or rotted joists. Look for cracks, splinters, or raised screw heads that create trip and puncture hazards. Any board that moves or shifts underfoot when you step on it should be replaced before the season begins.

Algae growth on wood decking creates dangerous slip hazards — particularly important at LOZ where dock surfaces get wet from swimming, boat spray, and rain and are often used barefoot. A power wash at the start of each season is basic maintenance, but decking that is deeply stained or soft beneath algae growth needs replacement rather than just cleaning.

Flotation and Buoyancy Issues

For floating docks, check that the dock rides level in the water. One end or section sitting noticeably lower than the rest indicates damaged or waterlogged flotation. Inspect the flotation billets or floats visible below the dock edge — look for cracks, punctures, or compression deformation. Foam-filled floats that have taken on water lose buoyancy gradually and can fail suddenly when a heavy load (a large boat, a full group of people) is added.

LOZ's pool elevation variation tests flotation systems seasonally. At low pool, docks sit differently than at high pool, and connections that look fine at one elevation may be under stress at another. Inspect at both high and low water periods if possible, or ask your contractor to assess for the full range.

Hardware, Electrical, and Boat Lift Checks

Hardware inspection covers: dock cleats (check that mounting bolts are tight and not pulling through the decking); mooring whips and their mounts; dock bumpers and fenders (replace any that are compressed, cracked, or missing); anchor chains and cables (look for kinks, rust, or fraying); and dock ladders (all rungs secure, non-slip treads intact, mounts solid).

If your dock has electrical — lighting, outlets, or a boat lift motor — have it inspected by a licensed electrician before the season begins. Dock electrical failures are a fire and electrocution hazard. Boat lift cables should be inspected and lubricated annually; replace any cable showing kinking, rust streaks, or frayed strands immediately. A cable failure with a boat in the sling is an expensive and potentially dangerous event.

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