What we build.
A permanent dock is a long-term investment in your shoreline. We build them three ways depending on your bottom conditions, water depth, and how you use the lake — pile-driven, crib, and steel-frame composite. Every system is engineered for Lake Michigan's specific challenges: ice push, wind-driven waves, and the seasonal rise-and-fall the inland lakes also see.
Captain's Choice handles the full process in-house — engineering, permitting through EGLE, pile driving with our own equipment, decking, and finish carpentry. No subcontractors, no scheduling games. The crew that quotes your project is the crew you'll see on site.
Pile-Driven Docks
Steel pipe pilings driven 8–14 feet into the lakebed for permanent installations on Lake Michigan and the deeper inland lakes. The most resilient option for high-energy shorelines.
Crib Docks
Heavy timber-frame crib boxes filled with stone — the traditional Michigan inland-lake choice. Period-appropriate for cottages, durable for decades.
Steel-Frame Composite
Modular steel substructure with composite decking — fast install, low maintenance, and the cleanest aesthetic for modern lakefront builds.