About Tennessee Dock Masters, LLC
Our Team The Tennesee Dock Masters Family!
Joe Durichek
Gabriel Bowen
Daniel Chambers
How We Started
In 1995, Jim Hill wanted to add a covered slip to his existing dock and swim platform. Jim reached out to several residential dock builders with no luck. One builder was booked for more than a year, other companies were out of business, didn't answer, some never returned calls, and one company told Jim that they could take care of every aspect of the job, from pulling permits to completing construction. Unfortunately, the company submitted an incorrect permit request and then decided they were getting out of the dock business altogether.
With no solid options, Jim found someone to sell him a kit for a bolt-together covered slip. He found a manufacturer that sold him what he needed and enlisted some friends' help. He and two friends then worked together to put together a covered slip on the beach in Waconda Bay on Chickamauga Lake. While they were building it, a dozen boaters asked them about building docks for them. After coordinating with the manufacturer, the three men started their dock-building business, and Waconda DockMasters, Inc. was founded.
The three men kept the business running for over 20 years, but in the summer of 2019, Jim Hill and Duane Pontak decided it was time to move aside for a new generation. Friends Joe Durichek, Gabriel Bowen, and Daniel Chambers purchased the business and changed the name to Tennessee Dock Masters, LLC. Daniel and Gabe have been friends since 2004 and business partners in Blue Ridge Service Company since 2015; Joe has owned BJD Enterprises since 2017.
The three men all became friends after Gabe bought the house next door to Joe in 2018. They began working on projects together and built several docks alongside other dock builders. Thanks to their shared passion for docks, boating, lake life, and their enjoyment of building docks, the friends decided to start Tennessee Dock Masters, LLC.
Decades of Experience & Results
Though the name has changed and the ownership is different, Tennessee Dock Masters, LLC is committed to building upon the previous decades of experience and results. And the company is determined to reach even greater heights.
While other dock builders have come and gone, we remain committed to the basic principle we had when the company was founded: we do not build a "cheap" dock. Tennessee Dock Masters, LLC uses the proper construction techniques for a marine environment. Our docks, seawalls, and boat lifts are designed and built to withstand hydraulic pressure and changes in seasonal water levels.
Over the last 25 years, our business has learned what works best. We've improved the materials we use, enhanced our techniques and procedures, and have been able to ensure that what we build and install lasts for decades. We are committed to working with clients to create the best design for their needs and meet the permit approval requirements.
Originally, Waconda DockMasters, Inc. built only floating docks. Over the years, they expanded production to stationary and floating docks and began installing boat lifts. Today, Tennessee Dock Masters, LLC continues to enhance our offerings by building and repairing seawalls, handling erosion control maintenance, and coordinating new installs. We are committed to working with clients and suppliers to find the perfect fit for our clients' needs and location.