Customer Spotlight | Doc Warner’s Alaska Fishing Lodge: 25 Years of Reliability with Candock
Tucked away in Excursion Inlet, Alaska, Doc Warner’s Alaska Fishing Lodge welcomes between 800 and 1,000 fishing and adventure enthusiasts each summer. In operation for over 30 years, this family-owned lodge offers self-guided fishing trips in spectacular surroundings. We spoke with Lisa, co-owner, and Doc (Mark C.) Warner, founder and co-owner.
In such a remote location, every logistical decision matters. That’s one of the reasons the Doc Warner’s team turned to Candock’s modular dock system—more than 25 years ago! “I think we started with Candock in 1998 or 1999,” Lisa recalls. “Back then, we didn’t have any heavy equipment on-site. We liked the idea of being able to take the docks out of the water during the off-season, without machinery.”
Getting the first order delivered was no small feat: from Québec to Whitehorse, then Skagway, Juneau, and finally by boat to the lodge. “Shipping nearly cost as much as the docks!” Doc says with a laugh. But over two decades later, much of the original setup is still in use.
This year, the team completed an expansion to improve safety and functionality, combining brand-new G2 cubes with their original G1 cubes installation. It took a bit of tweaking, but the G2s and G1s ended up working well together!
With nearly 4,000 cubes today, Doc Warner’s has built a large T-shaped dock with dedicated slips for their fleet of 30 boats. “We can change the configuration from one season to the next. We even created a floating platform to transport equipment—it’s extremely versatile,” explains Doc.
Another aspect appreciated by the Doc Warner’s team is the stability, even in the ocean, an environment where conditions can shift quickly.
See for yourself in this video, where the dock stays stable even as the ocean gets agitated.
Those two characteristics – durability and flexibility - paired with long-term confidence in the product, is what led them to stick with Candock—despite briefly testing an alternative.
A brief experiment with cubes from another manufacturer didn’t meet expectations. “They didn’t align well with our system,” Doc notes. “And we’ve always had a strong relationship with Candock. Relationships matter.”
Lisa also appreciates the ease of service. “You take care of shipping and customs—I just give you a U.S. delivery address and that’s it. It’s such a relief.”
Why would they recommend Candock? “For the durability, the flexibility, and above all, the service. As long as we can work something out, Candock will remain our first choice.”
About Doc Warner’s Alaska Fishing Lodge
With over 30 years of experience, Doc Warner’s is Alaska’s largest self-guided fishing lodge. From salmon and halibut fishing to whale watching and glacier tours, they offer unforgettable adventures in breathtaking surroundings.
Learn more at docwarners.com.
About Candock
Candock designs and manufactures modular floating dock systems built to perform in even the most extreme environments. Trusted around the world for their durability, versatility, and low maintenance, Candock solutions are ideal for marinas, lodges, and other waterfront facilities.
Get a quote for your project here.
Find a distributor near you here.