If the float sides are not vertical, the depth of submersion of the entire system can be 

 readily computed for any given deck load from a table showing the load supported for each 

 inch of submersion of the float. This table is normally provided by the pontoon 

 manufacturer. Entrapment of floating debris is a major defect in the use of 100 percent 

 flotation (Fig. 75). 



A major consideration in stringer or side skirt design for the floating system is to 

 determine at what level the stringer or the attached fender stripping will make contact with 

 the hull of any boat that might be berthed against or near it. Some boats have a low rub 

 strake that may catch under the bottom edge of a stringer if it is too high off the water. The 

 stringer then should be wide enough to extend down to within about 8 inches of the water 

 surface under dead load only. However, some boats have high gunwales topping strongly 

 battered hull sides that allow the deck to protrude over a low level finger pier. For this 

 reason, some low level floating fingers are provided with vertical fender posts that extend 

 upward from each side a few feet above deck level at intervals of about 8 feet (Fig. 79). The 

 level at which the deck floats above the water surface and the method of fendering the sUps 

 wiU be determined largely by the characteristics of the using craft, the local custom, and the 

 desires of the patrons. 



Figure 7y. 1< loatmg shps with vertical tender posts (Courtesy of MEECO Marinas, Inc.). 



132 



