Like so much of the East coast, New Jersey’s prestigious Raritan Yacht Club endured a devastating beating from last October’s hurricane Sandy. Thanks to a recent reconstruction performed by marina developer Structurmarine, the yacht club has now resumed its full schedule of cruising and racing activities and events.

One of the oldest yachting organizations in America, the prestigious Raritan club is located in Perth Amboy. Rather than offering a traditional marina setting, this yacht club acts as a service point to a mooring field at the rugged and windy juncture of the Raritan Bay and Raritan River. Because its 215 moorings remained inaccessible after the super storm damaged the original fixed docks, the club called on Structurmarine for its expertise in marina design and construction.

After evaluating the damage, Structurmarine recommended replacing the existing fixed docks with a floating design. The newly reconfigured docks are more economical and efficient with easier side access, according to Structurmarine’s Bruno Nolet, who acted as the project’s sales manager. A new layout improves operations by accommodating the maximum number of vessels, and boats of 30-40′ feet can access electricity and water pedestals at the slips.

Two walkways now run parallel to the shore and perpendicular to the pier. Timbertech composite wood decking was chosen for its easy maintenance, durability and accessibility. The largest, measuring 151′ x 12′, includes a 20′ x 40′ landing platform adjacent to the existing shoreside fixed pier.

The second 125′ x 8′ walkway features an attached 16′ x 38′ dinghy launching ramp that serves as a landing point for boats traveling to and from the vessels on the moorings. Structurmarine also provided a 4′ x 30′ access gangway to facilitate transitions from the club’s fixed pier to the new docks during tide and wave conditions.

Designed by Structurmarine and installed by a local contractor, the docks’ anchoring system consists of new steel piles with pile-guides. “Water depth, tides and complying with the new FEMA storm surge elevation made this the most practical solution,” said Nolet.

The most challenging feature of the project, according to Nolet, was meeting the needs of this busy club’s membership. “On any given weekday, up to 100 boaters might require access to their boats simultaneously. Our goal was to increase accessibility, while also delivering comfort and ease to the users,” he said.

Image courtesy Structurmarine