Two people sit on a Wood Dock at the end of a wooden pier, overlooking a calm lake surrounded by trees and houses under a cloudy sky.
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Built in Maine. 

Trusted Since 1979.

We’re more than a dock company — Great Northern Docks designs, builds, and ships every dock system with the care and experience that only comes from doing it for over four decades.

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The Story Behind Great Northern Docks

A small pontoon boat is docked by wood docks on a calm lake near a wooded shoreline, with a house partially visible among the trees in the background.

The First Dock

The First Dock

Our story began in the 1970s when structural designer, Fremont Merriam needed a dock for his lake house in Maine. Unable to find a suitable solution in his community, he embarked on an adventure to design and build his own. The dock had to be strong enough to withstand the harsh conditions of a large lake, yet lightweight enough for annual removal and reinstallation to avoid winter ice damage.

Once the dock was complete, Fremont realized it wasn’t just a great solution for his own needs—it could also help countless others seeking reliable access to their waterfront. Inspired to fill this gap, he decided to turn his passion into a business dedicated to creating great waterfront solutions. With a vision for both quality and service, Fremont, alongside his sons, set out to design and produce the most dependable docks and dock hardware on the market.

Guided by a commitment to excellence, Fremont emphasized not only product durability but also an exceptional customer experience. Under his leadership, Great Northern Docks was founded on a solid foundation of integrity—a legacy that has remained strong for over 45 years.

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The Fleet

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Fremont

Proudly Family-Owned for Three Generations

At Great Northern Docks, craftsmanship runs deep. Now in our third generation of family ownership, we continue to handcraft what many consider the highest-quality aluminum docks and stairs available today. While we’ve evolved with innovation and design, we also remain true to our roots—still producing the original wood dock hardware that launched our journey.

Backed by decades of experience and a team of professional dock experts, we’re here to help you create the perfect solution for your waterfront. Whether you’re upgrading, expanding, or starting fresh, Great Northern Docks is ready to deliver unmatched durability, functionality, and aesthetic.

A blue kayak sits on a Great Northern Docks wood dock by a calm lake, while a boat pulls a water skier across the water under a clear blue sky.

Family-Owned

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Store

Visit Our Factory Showroom

Our downtown Naples location serves as both our factory showroom and DIY parts center. Here, you can explore hands-on displays, experience our docks firsthand, and benefit from our educational approach to project planning—empowering you to make confident, informed decisions.

Dock system orders and DIY parts are available for pickup at the store, and most online DIY orders ship directly from this location.

Proudly made in the USA, our dock systems combine quality craftsmanship with local expertise.

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Why Waterfront Owners
Choose Great Northern Docks

Quality materials, lasting durability, and expert support — all from
a trusted family-owned business.

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Built for Durability

Weather-resistant materials for long-term use.

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Easy Installation

Modular and DIY-friendly options.


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Custom Solutions

Personalized dock designs to fit your needs.

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Made in the USA

Proudly hand made with expert craftsmanship.

Who We Build For

Whether you’re adding a dock to your lakefront property or installing 200 feet of frame for a public access site — we’ve got what you need.

Homeowners

For decades, we’ve helped homeowners bring their waterfront dreams to life with custom dock systems built for lasting quality, durability, and enjoyment.

Contractors / Dock Builders

We partner with hundreds of contractors and dock builders, providing dock systems and a complete range of parts and hardware.

Dealers & Retailers

We partner with trusted dealers to make our dock systems accessible and offer hardware and accessories for every project.

Municipalities

We’ve helped municipalities and build docks and boardwalks for public spaces, providing clear guidance every step of the way.

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Our Values Keep Us Grounded

Everything we do reflects our commitment to quality, honesty, and long-term performance.

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Durability First

Our docks are made for real conditions, not just catalogs.

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No shortcuts

Designed and tested in-house, start to finish.

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Committed to Solutions

We solve problems, not just process orders.

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Made in Maine

Built by people who live where others vacation.

A metal dock by Great Northern Docks with stairs extends into a calm lake surrounded by rocks, boats, and forested hills in the background.

Dockside

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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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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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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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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Linda
Minnesota
A wooden dock with metal railings extends over a calm lake, ending at a platform with a bench. Wood Docks blend seamlessly with the trees and cloudy sky in the background.

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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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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Christopher Cortez
Maine
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Locally Manufactured. Serving Everywhere.

Our docks aren’t shipped in from somewhere else — they’re designed, cut, welded, and tested in Maine by people who know the water.

Three children in swimsuits joyfully jump off a floating aluminum dock into a lake, with water rippling around them and a metal ladder on the dock’s edge.

Dive into Summer with a Swim Raft

Great Northern Docks
Create the Ultimate Waterfront Experience with a Swim Raft A swim raft is more than just a floating platform—it transforms your waterfront into a safe, enjoyable, and memorable space for family and friends. Anchored away from other docks and moorings, a raft provides: Swim rafts are ideal for all ages and become a central feature…
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Stacks of metal sheets are arranged outdoors on snowy ground near Great Northern Docks, with visible tire tracks and a clear blue sky in the background.

The Aluminum Frame Advantage

Great Northern Docks
Why Choose Our Aluminum-Framed Docks over Wood-Framed Wood-framed docks attract many buyers because of their lower upfront cost and DIY-friendly construction. Materials are widely available and simple to assemble for small projects. However, property owners who value long-term performance, durability, and minimal maintenance will benefit more from aluminum-framed docks. When it comes to building a…
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A Fixed Dock on Legs is docked at a wooden pier with a metal gangway; chairs and flowers line the shore beside it.

Boat Tie-Up Tips

Great Northern Docks
Properly securing your boat is essential for safety, convenience, and peace of mind—especially during rough weather. The following guide outlines proven tie-up methods, equipment recommendations, and practical tips to help you keep your boat secure and away from the dock. Dock Line Configurations Dock lines should prevent the boat from moving back and forth. When…
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A metal dock by Great Northern Docks extends into a calm lake with a pontoon boat moored at the end; trees and hills surround the water under a blue sky.
Two people in swimsuits joyfully jump off Maine docks into the water, next to a bench on the wooden dock.

Start Your Shoreline Project

Contact Us

From custom waterfront setups to parts and advice, we’re here to help. Tell us what you’re working on and our team will guide you in the right direction.

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