Hooking up a set of dock springs to your anchor cables isn't difficult.  They are pretty heavy so an extra pair of hands will help.  Get a buddy to help.  

​

If your dock winches are on the shore, you will have to install these on your dock at the end of your cables.  I suggest tying a short piece of rope to the spring and the dock to catch it should it slip from your grasp.  This will keep you from cussing and getting wet.  

​

The use of a come-along or ratchet strap from your dock to the cable at a point between the two cable clamps will secure the cable from dropping into the lake and allow you to get the spring attached without having to fight the pull from the weight of the cable.  Once it is attached to the cable with your hardware, use the included anchor shackles to attach the spring to the dock at the cable mounting point.  Release the come-along or ratchet strap.  Adjust the slack in your cable.   Done!

​

If your anchor winches are on your dock, the springs will have to be mounted to the anchor poles on the shore.  This is a good thing as there is less opportunity for you to get wet.  Just as above, use a come-along or ratchet strap to grab the cable at a point between the cable clamps and use it to take the weight off the anchor mount.  Install the dock spring using your hardware from your cable and the included anchor shackles.  Release the cable from your come-along / ratchet strap and adjust your slack.  Done!

​

Installation don'ts...

• Don't get wet.  Falling in is funny for those watching you.  Not so much if its you who has to slosh inside to change clothes.

• Don't drop the spring into the lake.  If you do, I will be happy to sell you another one.  

• Don't drop your tools into the lake.  I have a couple of ratchets, sockets, and an big adjustable wrench rusting away under mine.

• Don't forget to secure your glasses.  I also have a few sets of readers down there.

• Don't fight the wind.  Install during calm conditions.  Zero wind is best.  Here, early morning or late evening is the calmest.

• Don't be in a hurry.  Think out your plan then execute your plan.

​

Dock Survival Bulletproofing tips...
Take a good objective look at the stuff holding your dock to the shore.  Where can you upgrade?  Once the springs are installed, there will be no more pounding on your hardware but the load from the wind and current remains and your hardware has to be up to the task.  The springs have effectively removed the energy of the mass that is your dock moving sideways.  The pressure from wind and current remains once the dock is stopped by the spring.  This load is measured in tons.  The forces of wind and the current driven by the wind are incredible.   

​

I found that adding a second cable from the anchor pole to the midsection of my walkway, where the joint is, stabilizes the walkway and keeps it in line with the forces applied to it.  I also added cables to where the walkway joins the dock forming a triangle of support for the joint.  A triangle is the strongest shape in engineering.  Four more cables are added to the walkway's middle joint.  Each making a triangle of support.  Since my upgrades, my dock has been hit with winds of 72 mph and survived without damage while my neighbor's docks failed.  One had a 3200 pound anchor pulled out of the ground and through the sea wall while high waters saturated the soil and another had the telephone poles used to locate his dock snapped.