Boat Ramp Construction: Building Perfect Boat Ramps in Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Beyond

Boat ramp, staircase, and riprap on shoreline (Knife Lake)

You don’t just want a boat ramp anymore: now you need it

You need a private boat ramp that maintains itself, that you can use by yourself, and that you can enjoy with the people near and dear to you.  The rest of your shoreline may be perfect, or you plan for it to be perfect soon.  But without a safe and smooth way to push off into the water, you can only enjoy your lakeside property and not the lake.  You want a boat ramp for a few very good reasons, perhaps including:

• You want to avoid the circus of the public boat ramp, where you’ll wait behind other people, endure misunderstandings over spoken and unspoken rules, and get into the occasional Jerry Springer-like altercation.
• You don’t want to (or can’t) use your neighbor’s boat ramp.  You’ve come far in life, you have much, you’ve worked hard to be able to come and go as you please, and you refuse to mooch (or create the slightest impression of it).
• You feel your boat has become a decoration and a squirrel habitat, because you don’t use it or take it out on the water nearly as much as you’d like.
• You’re tired of tiptoeing, stumbling, and checking to make sure you don’t step on a sharp rock or a Portuguese man-o-war.
• You don’t like pestering family and friends to help you wrestle the dock in or out in the spring or fall. (A boat ramp makes installing and removing your dock a breeze.)

At first, a boat ramp may have seemed an accessory or a nice-to-have.  Now the lack of one has made your whole shoreline feel like kind of a waste.

On your shoreline, the last few feet of land are the difference between feeling inner peace on a sunrise boat ride and feeling the dread of Fredo Corleone as he stepped onto the fishing boat.  A dilapidated boat ramp or no boat ramp can make your shoreline less safe or less convenient or both.  You may have a dock that meets some of your needs, but the absence of a boat ramp makes your shoreline feel incomplete and look like a dog’s breakfast.

Before-and-after: boat ramp installation in Lino Lakes

Who builds boat ramps in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond?

You want or need a boat ramp, but who are you going to call?  The Ghostbusters are in New York.  Most driveway guys pave driveways.  Most concrete guys build patios.  Most landscapers can barely build a sand castle – and we’ve seen the kinds of boat ramps they build.

Contact Lakeshore Guys®.  We build a mean boat ramp, and we’re just north of the Twin Cities.  We build boat ramps in Minnesota and Wisconsin, mainly.  Also, because we specialize in building the toughest and most beautiful shorelines made by human hands, we’ll engineer your boat ramp to do its part to resist erosion, and we’ll make sure it fits in with your vision and goals for the rest of your shoreline.

Completed boat ramp as seen from the water

Completed boat ramp with attached dock on shoreline (Bald Eagle Lake)

All-gravel boat ramp, dock, driveway, and camp area

We work on shorelines throughout Minnesota, often on Lake Minnetonka, Prior Lake, and in White Bear and Forest Lake.  Of course, we do jobs throughout the state, from the Brainerd / Whitefish Chain of Lakes / Pelican Lake area, to the Detroit Lakes area, and beyond.  If you’re in Minnesota or a state that borders MN, you’re in need of a quality boat ramp, we can help.

If you’re in Wisconsin or anywhere else in the Midwest and want a boat ramp and the shoreline you’ve always wanted, we can help.  We often work in and near Hayward, WI, for instance.

Some photos are below, and you can see even more photos of our private boat ramps here.

You can also read on for more color commentary and for answers to some of the questions that may be on your mind.

How do you build a boat ramp, and what are the best materials to build one?

Most of the time we build boat ramps out of prefabbed (“segmental”) concrete segments.  We bolt the segments together and secure them onto a bed of perfectly graded and compacted gravel.  The small gaps between each segment are filled with compacted gravel, which acts as a series of weeps that allow water to drain out.  Often the concrete-and-gravel combination is what we suggest, but we’ve also built boat ramps out of gravel, recycled timber, and other materials.  Segmental concrete is our go-to, but we can explore other materials or designs you may have in mind.

How large is a private, residential boat ramp?

A typical residential boat ramp is 12 feet wide, which is also the maximum width allowed in most states.  Some of our boat ramps are 12 feet wide, and some are 6 feet wide, which is probably all you need for smaller craft.  (Of course, it’s up to you.)

What about the length?  The typical boat ramp reaches 10 feet into the water, or less.  Code dictates that we’re only allowed to install ramp sections up to 10 feet waterward of the shoreline, OR until the ramp reaches out to a water depth of 4 feet, whichever length is shorter.

What makes a Lakeshore Guys® boat ramp the best?

One word above all: engineering.  Our boat ramps are built to your specs and built to last.  Here are some of the specific components and practices that make our boat ramps work better and look better than anything a landscaper can build:

1. We use concrete segments (AKA segmental concrete). You could also think of it as prefabbed concrete segments, precast boat ramp slabs, etc. Not only are the segments cured and ready for action before they get to your lake, but they’re also modular, so any given piece is replaceable.
2. The concrete is from one superb supplier (we’ve used all the silver medalists, too), and we truck it in from that supplier no matter what, no matter where you live.
3. Many Departments of Natural Resources (DNRs) use the same concrete ramp segments we do, from the same manufacturer.  There are over 10,000 public boat ramps in Minnesota alone, and each are built to DNR specs.  Because these ramps are on larger lakes, most of them are used constantly, with thousands of boat launches and landings per year per ramp.  Pretty much any one of these public boat ramps gets more use in a year than a private boat ramp gets in its owner’s lifetime.
4. It’s high-PSI concrete, with 5-7% air entrainment. In other words, it has fewer tiny holes or bubbles in it.  Because of its high density, the concrete soaks up less water, and doesn’t break down over time the way the typical Swiss-cheese concrete does.  The best boat ramp requires the best concrete.
5. Each section of the concrete ramp is actually 12″ wide, rather than the 11.25″ width (nominal 12″) that most makers of boat ramps pass off as 12″.  Is that a huge deal?  Maybe not.  But we assume you don’t like it when, for instance, you buy a 2×4 that’s less than exactly 2 inches of wood by 4 inches of wood.  Makes it hard to trust anyone’s measurements, and makes you long for the days when materials were sized and described precisely. With us you get precision.
6. We reinforce the concrete with #4 rebar, and connect the concrete segments to each other with galvanized rebar loops or with threaded chain links. Like the couplings that connect train cars and allow the train to round a curve, our connections allow the boat ramp to move slightly with the ebb and flow of the lake.  The galvanization allows the loops to be wet or submerged and not corrode any time soon.
7. Our concrete is broom-finished, which adds traction and provides extra grip as you walk up or down the ramp.  It also looks nicer than slippery, shiny, high-gloss concrete, which shows off every little blemish of the concrete.  Not only is our broomed concrete safer, but it’s like a relaxing eggshell paint in your home.
8. Under the concrete is a bed of 3/4″ rock, serving as a foundation for the boat ramp.  This gravel is not just tossed in the lake and “eyeballed” leveled with rakes (and feet), but rather, we set up actual submerged screed rails whenever possible, and use a screed board to create a perfectly/even surface for your concrete pads to rest on.
9. Under the rock is 10-ounce calendered filter fabric, which helps keep the rock footing in place.
10. Before we put down the fabric we level the bejeebers out of the lake bed underneath.
11. We build our boat ramps to exceed DNR standards.

What does all of that amount to? It means you’ll get a boat ramp that looks great on your shoreline and not just good on paper (though you can expect a clear and comprehensive proposal, too), one that will stand up to erosion and resist ice damage, and one you’ll get to enjoy for many years to come.  You and yours will be the only people to enjoy it, though neighbors and visitors will envy and admire it, to the point that you might get sick of all the compliments.

Surface prep: clearing the area and grading the slope for the boat ramp

Laying the gravel base and installing the riprap

Installing the first prefabbed concrete slabs at the base of the boat ramp

The finished boat ramp, all gravel and concrete, edged by riprap on both sides

Can a landscaper build a strong and beautiful boat ramp?

Maybe, but we haven’t seen one yet.  Probably 70% of our customers don’t have an existing boat ramp that they’ve chosen to take behind the barn, but the other 30% have hired a landscaper and have been burned.  When we see a landscaper-built “boat ramp,” it’s been undone by one or more of the following problems:

• The landscapers didn’t bother leveling the lakebed under the ramp.
• They used one contiguous piece of concrete (snap, crackle, pop), rather than connected pieces with built-in flexibility.
• They use whatever concrete is cheap or easily available.
• They don’t communicate with you, or heed your specifications and other wishes.  You might notice the intentional or unintentional change in plans early enough to course-correct, or you may not know until they’ve packed up and handed you the invoice.
• They don’t have experience building boat ramps.  Yours will be their first (and maybe last).

Can you build JUST a boat ramp?

Yes.  Typically we build boat ramps as part of a larger shoreline restoration project, but it’s also possible we could build your boat ramp as a one-off project, if that’s the only thing you need for now.  Of course, should you choose to go whole-hog on your shoreline, we can erosion-resistant riprap and build you a staircase or walkway that brings you to your shoreline, dock, or boat in style.

Either way, you’ll love your boat ramp so much that you might forget about your boat.

When is the best time to build a boat ramp?

The best time to put a boat ramp in is when the water is low. The main reason is we’re working underwater less. When the water level is low (due to lack of recent rain), it’s just easier to get the filter fabric, stone underlayment, and concrete segments into position, because we don’t need to contend with any current, muck, cold water, and similar challenges.

A low water line can also save you some money.  If the water line is low if and we work on your boat ramp, we’ll knock a bit off the invoice (just because the work is easier to complete).  We can charge a little less and not sacrifice quality.  Of course, we don’t know what your timetable is, but if the water line is low now, you may want to contact us sooner rather than later.

What our customers love about their boat ramps (and working with us)

“‘Prepare For Awesomeness’ was the reply from Joe Palumbo when told his company was hired for our extensive shoreline and boat ramp project. In all honesty, we decided on Joe for the job at the initial site visit. A month after meeting Joe, the two-week project began. We got to meet his lead men Mike and Ron and see the other Lakeshore Guys’ arrive and unload their unbelievable excavation equipment. Mike was in charge of the paved fire pit and retaining wall. Although Joe is the catalyst and things start and happen with Joe, Mike had some great suggestions and clearly explained changes that would be needed to accommodate the 16-foot-diameter paved fire pit, retaining wall, and the many birch trees that we wanted to keep near the site. Ron & Gary were in charge of the boat ramp. Ron also had great suggestions to make the boat ramp functional with addon concrete steps, and riprap along the sides. The boat ramp, retaining wall, paved fire pit, stone benches, concrete steps, and steppingstones throughout, are beautiful and exceeded our expectations by a country mile. We prepared for and received ‘Awesomeness!’ We couldn’t be happier with the results. Job well done!” – Fred & Teri Grimm, Knife Lake

The Grimms’ boat ramp and shoreline

“The Lakeshore Guys did an awesome job on our eroded, ugly and high-maintenance shoreline. They turned it into a thing of beauty! The crew was outstanding and kept us informed every step of the way. They paid attention to every little detail and made sure that our input was solicited throughout the project. All of our questions and concerns were addressed in a timely and professional manner. We did the initial design with Joe last fall (2017) and planned to start the project in May/June 2018. The original design included a small sand beach, primarily as a landing spot for our paddle boat. Over the winter months I started to have doubts about that beach as I was concerned it could turn into an ongoing maintenance issue (I’m all about “maintenance-free”!). So Joe tapped into his creative abilities to design a maintenance-free boat “storage ramp” complete with a wench for launching and “docking” the boat. The crew then turned that initial design into a highly functional reality that should last for many years to come (again, maintenance-free😊). We couldn’t be more pleased with the result. So thanks Joe, Ron, Mike and crew. Your attention to detail and your determination to “do it once, do it right” turned our lake shore project into one of the most successful projects we have ever undertaken. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a picture of your entire team next to the word “craftsmanship” in the dictionary.” – Darrel & Paula Adkins, Shoreview (see review on Google Maps)

The Adkins’ boat ramp and shoreline

“These guys were awesome! Pulled out all the stops to make sure the job was done right and would exceed our expectations, which it absolutely did! Joe was so easy to work with; never pushed anything on us but certainly encouraged us to do the little things to ensure the project would be done right and last a long time. We’re so happy that we now have easy access to our lake and a beautiful dock to help enjoy it!” – Greg Emmerich (see review on Google Maps)

The Emmerich boat ramp and dock

Ramp up your shoreline now

Contact Lakeshore Guys® for a boat ramp that helps you cast off without talking like a sailor.