Marina and Yacht Club Docks: Choosing L, T, and U Layouts with Nusa Dock

A marina is judged not only by the boats moored there, but by how easily boats can enter, tie up, and let passengers disembark comfortably. Many waterfront resort operators, yacht clubs and marine tourism areas start with a simple question: what kind of marina dock suits our waters? The answer depends on the number and size of boats, the direction boats approach from, and the available maneuvering space.

This article covers the basic requirements, dock layout options, the finger pier concept, and how to use the Nusa Dock Drawing Tool to put together an initial concept.

Basic Requirements of a Marina Dock

In general, a marina floating dock needs to serve several functions at once. Boats must be able to berth safely, passengers and crew need clear walkways, and operators need access for maintenance and services.

Some requirements commonly discussed from the planning stage:

• The number and size of boats to be served, including expansion plans.

• Maneuvering space between berthing lanes so boats can enter and exit without contact.

• Mooring points such as cleats or bollards in suitable positions.

• A main walkway connecting the shore to the berthing area.

• Supporting facilities such as lighting, fresh water or power points where needed.

Because a floating dock follows changes in the water level, the deck height relative to the boat stays relatively constant. This helps keep boarding and disembarking comfortable in waters where the water level changes. A more complete explanation is available in our article on why floating docks are key to port flexibility.

General view of boats moored at a harbor dock; not a Bajau Indo project. Photo: Martin Wessely via StockSnap (CC0)

Understanding Dock Layouts: Straight, L, T and U

According to its product page, Nusa Dock can be arranged in straight, L, T or U configurations. Each shape has its own character and suits particular site conditions.

• Straight — General character: A single walkway from shore to water; Can be considered for: Small docks and tourist boat access

• L — General character: Main walkway with one turn; Can be considered for: Narrow or elongated waterfront sites

• T — General character: Widened end forming a berthing area; Can be considered for: Berthing on both sides of the dock head

• U — General character: Forms a berthing basin in the middle; Can be considered for: A more organized berthing area

The final choice should take into account wind and wave direction, water depth, and boat traffic routes around the site. The dock layout should also leave room for expansion, for example adding berthing lanes as yacht club membership grows. Because it is modular, a floating dock can in principle be extended or reshaped later.

Finger Piers and Berth Slot Arrangement

In marinas with many boats, the main walkway is usually fitted with finger piers, short docks that project perpendicular from the main walkway. Each finger pier forms a berth slot so boats can be moored neatly side by side.

In general, the length of and spacing between finger piers follow the size of the boats being served. Slots for small boats will naturally differ from slots for larger yachts. For this reason, fleet data should be collected before drawing up the dock layout.

Example of a cross-shaped floating dock layout with a platform. Source: Bajau Indo 3D concept illustration — not a built project

Nusa Dock for Marina Floating Docks

Nusa Dock is a floating module designed for marinas, yacht clubs and floating resorts. According to the official specifications, each unit measures 150 × 100 × 40 cm, weighs 32 kg and provides 275 kg of buoyancy per unit. The outer shell is UV-resistant LLDPE with a CFC-free polyurethane core.

The flat module shape makes it easy to assemble decks in a variety of configurations. Like other Bajau Indo pontoon products, Nusa Dock is TKDN certified (Indonesia's Domestic Component Level certification) according to information on the official website, making it relevant for projects that prioritize domestic products. The overall dock capacity is still calculated per project based on layout, load and site conditions. An example of Nusa Dock in use is the dock at TWA Mangrove PIK, listed on the Bajau Indo projects page.

Designing a Layout with the Nusa Dock Drawing Tool

Before talking with the technical team, you can put together an initial concept with the Nusa Dock Drawing Tool. This tool lets you:

1. Arrange units by drag-and-drop.

2. Set the grid to suit your needs.

3. See an estimate of the number of units.

4. Export the design as an image.

The image can serve as starting material for discussion and then be refined with the engineering team based on site data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine the right marina dock layout?

The layout is determined by the number and size of boats, the shape of the waterfront site, wind and wave direction, and maneuvering space. Straight or L layouts are generally used for simple needs, while T and U layouts suit larger berthing areas. The final decision should be based on a site survey.

What is a finger pier on a marina dock?

A finger pier is a short dock that projects from the main walkway to form a boat berth slot. With finger piers, boats can be moored side by side in an orderly way and passengers can step directly onto the dock. Their length and spacing follow the size of the boats being served.

Can the Nusa Dock Drawing Tool produce a final design directly?

The Nusa Dock Drawing Tool is designed for putting together an initial layout concept and estimating the number of units. A final design still requires load calculations, a mooring system and site data. The engineering team will review your design before it moves to production.

Already have a picture of the marina shape you want? Export your design from the Drawing Tool, then send it to marketing@bajauindo.com along with site data and the types of boats to be served. The Bajau Indo team is ready to discuss it with you.