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.
The Story Behind Great Northern Docks
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.
The Fleet
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.
Family-Owned
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.
Why Waterfront Owners
Choose Great Northern Docks
Quality materials, lasting durability, and expert support — all from
a trusted family-owned business.
Built for Durability
Weather-resistant materials for long-term use.
Easy Installation
Modular and DIY-friendly options.
Custom Solutions
Personalized dock designs to fit your needs.
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.
Our Values Keep Us Grounded
Everything we do reflects our commitment to quality, honesty, and long-term performance.
Durability First
Our docks are made for real conditions, not just catalogs.
No shortcuts
Designed and tested in-house, start to finish.
Committed to Solutions
We solve problems, not just process orders.
Made in Maine
Built by people who live where others vacation.
Have questions? Speak directly with our dock experts.
See What Our Customers Say
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
View Full Testimonial
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.
Dive into Summer with a Swim Raft
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…
Read Full Article
The Aluminum Frame Advantage
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…
Read Full Article
Boat Tie-Up Tips
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…
Read Full Article
Start Your Shoreline Project
Dock Factory Store Location
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.
- 1114 Roosevelt Trail, Naples, ME 04055
Contact
"*" indicates required fields
More of The Great Northern Docks Story
Building Docks Since 1979
For over 40 years, family owned Great Northern Docks has built its reputation on superior quality products and friendly, knowledgeable customer service. Located in Maine, where lakes, rivers and coastline abound, our commitment to convenient access in aquatic environments anywhere with docks, stairs, ramps and bridges, remain our focus, serving residential, commercial, camping and conservation interests.
Manufacturing in Maine for the boat-dock and trail-bridge markets, you can see decades of experience and quality craftsmanship revealed in our own brands of aluminum docks, wood docks and DIY hardware. Along with our own products, we selectively host quality lines by other domestic manufacturers such as Molded Plastic Docks (MPD), the Guardian Bumper and the Drag-on Float.
Our reach, thanks to our dock system consultants – ready to assist with a virtual product tour, enables you to shop from home. In southern Maine and along the New Hampshire border we offer on-site waterfront surveying, consultation with design, and contractor installation services. Beyond our community, we assist customers and or their contractors with planning and installation of our dock, stair or bridge systems.
Our store, in beautiful downtown Naples, Maine is our factory showroom and DIY parts center, hosting a hands-on experience with our display models and our educational approach to project planning, enabling our valued customers to make informed decisions. Dock system orders and DIY parts can be picked up at our store and most DIY on-line orders ship from our store. Our docks are made in the USA.
Our people make up a talented team that is dedicated to customer satisfaction. Since the company’s beginning, it has promoted core values among its people that result in a win for the team and for you, our customer.
Our community affects us while we affect our community. Since we want good to come out of our community, we must recognize that good must go into it. Knowing this truth promotes giving of ones self and resources, one of the essential core values at Great Northern Docks.
Who We Are
A knowledgeable and friendly design team, giving excellent guidance and always eager to help plan your next dock system.
Trust Our Dock Experience
Great Northern Docks has been proudly manufacturing its docks in Naples, Maine, USA for 40 years. Today, our innovative designs, craftsmanship and customer service continues to serve as a leading example in the industry.
Dock Craftsmanship
When you think of Maine, your first thought is quality craftmanship – or maybe lobster. Either way, the people of Great Northern Docks know their customers expect exceptional quality when buying Maine-made and quality is what they deliver. As a result, their reach goes far beyond Maine’s borders. When quality matters, distance is not an obstacle.
Great Northern Docks has always been about creativity.
After brothers Sam and Seth Merriam finished the book “Building Your Own Dock,” they began illustrating these fun maps of the lakes and ponds around Great Northern Docks to support local charities.
Be sure to check back later for more maps to come.
Illustrated by Sam Merriam
Composition by Seth Merriam
All proceeds from Lake Maps go to a local charity.
Here are some of the organizations we support:
- Naples Public Library
- Dempsey Challenge Naples 5K
- Loon Echo Land Trust
- Windham Christian Academy
- Lakes Environmental Association
- Project Graduation
- Day 1
- Piscataqua Rangers
- Civil Air Patrol (Maine Wing)
- New Vineyard Public Library
- Naples Fire Department
- Raymond Fire Department
- Sebago Lake Anglers Association
- Town of Denmark
- Boy Scouts of America
- Girl Scouts of America
- Town of Frye Island
