Building a dock

[Belchy]

here's the scoop<br /><br />Our 80 foot dock composed of sections made of styrofoam billets (12'X4'X1') covered with plywood and strapping need to be replaced. After about 10 years of use they are wore out and all of them need to be replaced. I just was wondering what you all would recommend to replace them. They have to be floating because at the end of the dock we are in 10 feet of water with a mud bottom that a post would never set in to hold a non floating dock. More than likely just going to replace the wood, but wondering what other people use instead. Any ideas would be great<br /><br /><br />Belchy

 

[fireman57]

Re: Building a dock

They make a black plastic float for the docks that go under each section. Don't know how much they cost though. Found a couple of them floating after high water. Guess the guy didn't have them strapped on.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Building a dock

Ya, I looked into the cost of the black plastic ones....way too expensive for what I need, but they would work great<br /><br />Belchy

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Building a dock

Belchy, If the change in tide is not too much you could build a cantilever dock. You will need to have a bulkhead to mount it to, however. Also, my conventional fixed dock is supported by 20 foot long pilings, jetted into the bottom every 7 feet. Are you sure the mud bottom you have would not allow this method?

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Building a dock

I have a 30' floating dock that I bought. It uses floats under a aluminum frame and aluminum decking. I always wondered if one could buy the floats, use a two by two framing(treated) with 1/2 treated plywood one couldn't do the same thing. <br /> I also have muck and I am in a protected bay so never take the dock out. It is a small lake but it works for me. <br /> Also saw a dock made from jugs. They sealed the tops and put them in plastic totes. Sealed the totes and then put them under the dock sections. The last I knew it was still floating after 3 years but that was a few years ago. Anything is worth a try.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Building a dock

I like the idea of using the aluminum frame, they would be a lot lighter in the fall when we start to pull them out, since the lake ices over bout december every year...<br /><br />Thanks for the tips<br /><br /><br />Belchy

 

[jollymon]

Re: Building a dock

Plastic 55 Gallon drums for floats, frame made from lumber or Alum. Then 2x6 decking. Will last forever. You can probably get the 55 gallon drums locally, free. We get them from the local Coke plant. For 30' secions of dock, with steel frame we use 12 barrels.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Building a dock

I have seen that idea around, and really haven't given it much thought, thanks jollymon for the tip, i think i will look into that idea...<br /><br />Belchy