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A Maine Docks Swim Raft with a ladder floats on calm water, anchored and empty, showcasing the quality craftsmanship of their products.
A small Swim Raft with a metal ladder floats on calm lake water, surrounded by trees along the distant shore.
A Swim Raft with a metal ladder floats on a calm lake, with Maine docks and tree-lined houses visible on the distant shoreline.
A Maine Docks Swim Raft with a ladder floats on calm water, anchored and empty, showcasing the quality craftsmanship of their products.
A small Swim Raft with a metal ladder floats on calm lake water, surrounded by trees along the distant shore.
A Swim Raft with a metal ladder floats on a calm lake, with Maine docks and tree-lined houses visible on the distant shoreline.

Swim Rafts

Great Northern Docks aluminum swim rafts are built for lake families who want a stable, low-maintenance platform that lasts. Available in 8’x8′ and 8’x10′ layouts with your choice of decking and ladder, each raft is designed and built in Maine.

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A white anchor icon centered on a dark blue circular background, inspired by the classic look of Maine Docks and Great Northern Docks. Key Features

  • Waterfront Entertainment: These rafts remain steady and safe for many years of fun and enjoyment
  • Secure Mooring Point: Robust anchor attachment point underneath the frame allows for hidden anchoring
  • Easy Access: Mount an optional aluminum swing up ladder
  • Quality: Made in Maine, built to last

A white checkmark inside a white, scalloped circle on a dark blue circular background, inspired by Maine Docks and Great Northern Docks. Details

  • Removable Decking: Option for removable, solid board decking panels with latches for improved portability
  • Permanent Decking: Option for permanent, perforated decking to let water pass through in flood or turbulent conditions
  • Premium Floatation: 100% tested air-filled floatation and optional foam filled floatation
  • Standard “Nominal” Dimensions
Swim Rafts 8×8, 8×10

A white castle icon with two towers on a dark blue circle, inspired by Maine Docks, represents the Fully Welded Stairs. Materials

  • Frame: Marine-grade aluminum frame with optional powder coating
  • Removable Decking: choice between Lumberock HDPE solid board decking or natural cedar 5/4”x6” stained decking
  • Permanent Decking: SunWalk 90 perforated, fiberglass reinforced polypropylene decking option
  • Floatation: Air filled floats are rotomolded polyethylene with a minimum wall thickness of 3/16″
  • Swim Ladders: 20-degree 4 step, welded marine grade aluminum or vertical 4-5 step, welded marine grade aluminum

White handshake icon inside a dark blue circle, symbolizing partnership or agreement for Maine Docks solutions. Product Resources

A person places a rectangular, brown decking panel onto a metal frame, assembling an Aluminum Dock from Great Northern Docks.

Removable Decking

Cedar and composite panels are designed for easy seasonal install and removal.

A close-up of a dock’s underside featuring the Anchor Plate Keyhole, with a chain hanging down and a metal ladder descending into the water.

Hidden Anchor Point

The anchor attachment sits underneath the frame, keeping hardware out of sight and out of the way.

The Aluminum Dock Ladder features four wide, textured steps and sturdy handrails—ideal for Maine or aluminum docks.

20-Degree Angled Ladder

Easier to climb than a straight ladder. Swings up for dry storage and locks down with a pin when in use.

Perforated Plastic Decking

Screwed in place for a grippy, drainable surface that requires no seasonal swapping.

An Aluminum Ladder for Dura-LITE Docks is installed on a floating wood dock with metal railings on a calm lake, trees and a house blurred in the background.

Swim rafts are available in 8'x8' and 8'x10' layouts. Cedar and composite-board decking options are panelized for easy seasonal installation and removal. Plastic perforated decking is screwed in place for a grippy, drainable surface that makes for easy cleaning.

The 20-degree angled ladder is our most popular raft accessory. It has a 3" tread depth with foot-friendly traction, swings up for dry storage, and locks down with a locking pin when in use. A straight ladder is also available for installations where water depth at the raft edge calls for more ladder length.

Raft floats are rotationally-molded polyethylene filled with air or foam. Routine maintenance is minimal — rinse seasonally and inspect anchor hardware annually.

How It Works

Getting Started Is Simple

No pressure, no commitment. Just tell us what you need, and we'll let you know how we'd get it done.

Tell us about your project

No pressure, no commitment. Just tell us what you need, and we'll let you know how we'd get it done.

We'll reach out

A dock specialist reviews your project and calls or emails to discuss options, answer questions, and refine the details.

Receive your quote

Get a detailed quote with product recommendations, pricing, and installation options, usually within one business day.

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Request a Free Quote

Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you within one business day — usually sooner.

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  • 47 Years in Business
  • Made in Maine
  • Free Quotes, No Obligations
Prefer to talk? Call us at +1 (207) 693-3770 Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5:00pm

See What Our Customers Say

...the entire experience was professional but also stress-free and fun. Best of all, we got the dock of our dreams...

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From Destin’s welcoming greeting when we entered the store, through the dock design process, delivery and installation by Tino to the final product… the entire experience was professional but also stress-free and fun. Best of all, we got the dock of our dreams.

Rebecca Poma
Maine
Rebecca Poma
Maine

...LOVE THE PRODUCT, super high quality! Shipping to Alabama was great! Love my "Great Northern Dock" stairs down here in the south!

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I worked with Gretta ordering the dock stairs descending into the water. Since I could not see the product, I was a little nervous ordering on my own. Gretta helped answer all my questions, and helped me figure out the best system for my situation! I don’t think I would have purchased had she not been such a great help. LOVE THE PRODUCT, super high quality! Shipping to Alabama was great! Love my “Great Northern Dock” stairs down here in the south!

Carol Smyser
Alabama
Carol Smyser
Alabama

...Their product is unmatched in Quality, Longevity and Look. There is no application or shoreline their docks can't accommodate. Not only are Great...

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Great Northern Docks is a first-class company with the best product on the market. As one of the larger dock installation companies in southern Maine I have worked directly with Great Northern for years. Their product is unmatched in Quality, Longevity and Look. There is no application or shoreline their docks can’t accommodate. Not only are Great Northern Docks in a class by themselves they are also the most installer friendly dock systems on the market. My dock business has been exclusively with Great Northern for years and they will always be the only company I will work with. From start to finish you will never be disappointed investing in a Great Northern dock system.

Shoreline Solutions LLC
Maine
Shoreline Solutions LLC
Maine

I just wanted to thank you for your help.  I LOVE my dock stairs! I was nervous to order a big ticket item half the country away but your kind attitude and help

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I just wanted to thank you for your help.  I LOVE my dock stairs! I was nervous to order a big ticket item half the country away but your kind attitude and helpful answers gave me a sense of security. I just wanted to thank you for your help.  So, all the way from Minnesota,  I send a shout out: “Yay for Seth! ”Thanks again,

Linda
Minnesota
Linda
Minnesota

I purchased a new dock this season from Great Northern Docks and was extremely happy with the quality and service. From the initial site review, where the team

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I purchased a new dock this season from Great Northern Docks and was extremely happy with the quality and service. From the initial site review, where the team came out and created options on paper, to the prompt delivery, everything went smoothly. When my installers were short some pipe, I called and GND quickly cut a 20’ pipe into two pieces and had it ready to go within the hour for no extra charge. They also gave me a refund for a few extra pieces that I had left over after installation.The dock itself is great looking, well constructed, and very functional for fun summer days on the lake; whether boating or just relaxing on the dock. Thank you GND!

Eric Miller
Maine
Eric Miller
Maine

Lindsay and the team at Great Northern Docks provided excellent support and guidance in the entire process of selecting the appropriate dock

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Lindsay and the team at Great Northern Docks provided excellent support and guidance in the entire process of selecting the appropriate dock that meets our needs and budget. Assembly was straightforward and the quality of the material as well as the craftsmanship was excellent. My wife and I are looking forward to adding additional accessories next year.

Christopher Cortez
Maine
Christopher Cortez
Maine
Black and white compass rose with eight main points and decorative outer rings, featuring a fleur-de-lis at north—perfect for accenting Great Northern Docks or Maine Docks.

Complete Your Dock
with These Essentials

Find the perfect accessories and parts to finish the job right.
  • Two people sit on a Fixed Dock on Legs, overlooking a calm lake surrounded by trees and houses on a sunny day.

    Fixed Dock on Legs

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  • The Roller Dock from Great Northern Docks extends on wheels into a clear, shallow lake with a sandy bottom and trees lining the distant shore under a blue sky.

    Roller Docks

    See DetailsRequest a Quote
  • A woman, a young girl, and a golden retriever stand on a Floating Dock over a calm lake with green trees and warm sunlight all around.

    Floating Dock

    See DetailsRequest a Quote

    • FAQ

    What is a swim raft?

    A swim raft is a floating platform anchored in open water for swimming, sunbathing, and recreation. Great Northern Docks offers aluminum swim rafts for lake use, built for long-term residential use.

    What are floating rafts called?

    Floating swim platforms go by a few names — swim rafts, swim platforms, swim docks, or floating docks. They all refer to the same thing: a buoyant, anchored surface for swimming and waterfront recreation.

    What is the best material for a swim raft?

    Aluminum is the most durable and low-maintenance option for a swim raft for lake use. It holds up in freshwater and saltwater for decades without rotting, warping, or requiring seasonal refinishing the way wood does.

    How heavy is a swim raft anchor?

    The weight of a swim raft anchor can vary depending on the size of the raft and the conditions of the body of water. Great Northern Docks offers swim raft anchors in different weights to accommodate different sizes and conditions.

    Do anchors break on a raft?

    Anchors rarely fail when they’re properly sized and installed. The Dura-LITE™ swim raft has a reinforced anchor attachment point hidden underneath the frame, designed to handle consistent pull.

    What are the different types of rafts?

    The main types are aluminum rafts, wood raft kits, and plastic modular rafts. Aluminum is best for durability, plastic is easiest to ship and assemble, wood suits buyers who want a traditional aesthetic & DIYers, and the ability to choose different decking options.

    What do you use to float a raft?

    Standard flotation on Dura-LITE™ swim rafts consists of rotationally-molded, air-filled polyethylene floats engineered for strength, durability, and consistent buoyancy over time.

    Floating Swim Rafts for Your Waterfront

    Great Northern Docks Dura-LITE™ swim rafts are built for lake families who want a floating platform that holds up season after season. The polyethylene floats are filled with air or foam for long-term buoyancy.

    Rafts are available in 8’x8′ and 8’x10′ layouts with three decking options. Composite-boards and Cedar decking are panelized for easy seasonal install and removal. Plastic perforated decking is screwed in place for a permanent, drainable surface that is to clean.

    The 20-degree angled ladder is our most popular raft accessory for aluminum swim rafts. It climbs easier than a straight ladder, has a 3″ tread depth with foot-friendly traction, swings up for dry storage, and locks down when in use. A straight ladder is available for deeper water installations where more ladder length is needed at the raft edge.

    A wooden dock with chairs overlooks a calm lake, surrounded by trees. A sailboat floats nearby, and a lifebuoy hangs from the Maine Docks railing.
    Two people in swimsuits joyfully jump off a Great Northern Docks wood dock into the water, with a bench and bottle resting on the dock.

    Speak Directly With Our Dock Experts

    Call The Team