Guide
How do I secure and anchor a floating jetty?
A floating jetty is held in two places: on the bank by at least two jetty brackets, and in the water by two ground anchors or four piles. That is the manufacturer's recommendation. Piles suit a firm bottom in up to about 3 m of water, anchors suit deeper water or a soft bottom. The chain for each anchor is as long as the water depth plus 2 m.
How is a floating jetty attached to the bank?
With L-shaped stainless steel jetty brackets, €135 each. They connect the shore end of the jetty to the bank and hold it in position there. The manufacturer recommends at least two brackets per jetty.
The bracket alone is not enough, though. The outer end also needs a hold in the water, otherwise wind and waves swing the jetty round about the bank. There are two ways to do that: piles or ground anchors.
Pile or anchor: what holds the jetty in the water?
Water depth and bottom decide. In up to about 3 m of water with a firm bottom, a pile is the most stable solution. In deeper water or on a soft, muddy bottom, a ground anchor holds better.
- Pile with pile guide: You fit a pile guide on the jetty: a plate in the float grid (50 × 50 cm) with three rubber rollers. The driven pile runs between the rollers, and the jetty slides up and down it with the water level but can neither drift away nor turn. Pile guides are available for piles from 100 to 260 mm in diameter, from €175. Allow 10 to 20 mm of play so the guide does not jam with ice or fouling. We do not supply the piles themselves; you can get them from a local marine contractor or steel stockist.
- Ground anchor with anchor bracket: The 40 kg anchor (€265) lies on the bottom, and a chain runs to the anchor bracket (€76.50) on the jetty. No piling equipment is needed, and it works in deeper water too. The jetty has a little more room to move than on a pile.
Pile or ground anchor: anchoring compared
| Pile with pile guide | Ground anchor with anchor bracket | |
|---|---|---|
| Water depth | up to about 3 m | deeper too |
| Bottom | firm | soft or muddy too |
| Number per jetty | 4 piles | 2 anchors |
| Parts from us | Pile guide from €175 | 40 kg anchor €265 + anchor bracket €76.50 |
| Also needed | Pile and piling work (marine contractor) | Chain: water depth + 2 m |
| Jetty movement | up and down only | up and down, a little play |
Number as recommended by the manufacturer, plus at least two jetty brackets on the bank (€135 each). Prices excluding VAT, without freight (calculated individually).
How many anchors or piles does a floating jetty need?
Two ground anchors or four piles per jetty; that is the manufacturer's recommendation. It applies to a short 1.5 × 6 m swimming jetty just as much as to a 2 × 10 m boat jetty.
For anchoring with anchors, allow €683.00 net for two anchors with anchor brackets, plus the chains. With piles it is €700.00 for four S pile guides, plus the piles and the piling work by a marine contractor.
You need more once finger pontoons are added: a 1 m wide finger needs its own pile or anchor at the end from about 4 to 5 m long in still water, and from about 3 m where there is current. More on this in our guide Building a finger pontoon. For strong current, high waves or large installations, we work out the anchoring in the quote.
How long does the anchor chain need to be?
As long as the water depth plus 2 m, for each anchor. In 3 m of water that means 5 m of chain per anchor. A rope works instead of a chain too.
The 2 m of slack matters: it lets the jetty rise and fall with the water level without the chain lifting the anchor or pulling the jetty down. If your water level varies more, allow more slack. Chain is not part of our range; we give you the length in the quote.
How do I moor a boat to a floating jetty?
To cross bollards or cleats bolted onto the jetty. They sit on the outside edge, in the joint between two floats:
- Cross bollards: €37.50 in HDPE or €69.50 in stainless steel, for boats up to about 8 m. If the boat lies alongside, make it fast at least at bow and stern. At a berth with a finger pontoon, allow two bollards on the finger and two on the main jetty.
- Side cleats: €24.75 for small boats, inflatables and kayaks.
- Heavy duty bollard: €350 in stainless steel for heavier loads.
- Fenders: long fender H27 for €65 or short fender H35 for €49.50, so the hull does not chafe against the jetty.
You will find all parts under Railing and bollards and Accessories.
What about the anchoring in winter?
If the ice lies still, the jetty and its anchoring stay in the water. If current or wind push ice against the jetty, large forces act on anchors, piles and connections. Then you are better off bringing the jetty ashore. In autumn, check chains, anchor brackets and shore brackets. More on this in our guide Floating pontoon in winter.
Do I need a permit to anchor a floating jetty?
The anchoring is part of the jetty, so it belongs in the same application. Whether a permit is required depends on the country and the body of water, so check with the responsible authority. Driven piles in particular often get a closer look. For the UK, the rules are set out in our guide Do I need permission for a pontoon in the UK? As of October 2026. This is not legal advice.
Prices as per our price list of 01/10/2026. Prices may change. Before you buy, get a current, binding quote via the configurator or an enquiry.
Plan the anchoring for your jetty
Tell us how deep the water is, what the bottom is like and how much the level varies. We will tell you whether a pile or an anchor suits you better and include the anchoring in the quote. You can see the parts list and material price for the jetty itself straight away in the configurator.