dock construction

In many instances, boat docks are built very similarly to traditional decks. They have the same weight distribution, along with the same beams, joists and decking. There are a few differences, however, to help  account for the placement of the dock and the fact that a portion of it  will be submerged. Once you’ve dealt with these particulars, it’s  possible to build a boat dock that can complement any surrounding and  serve functionally for years to come.

Just like with deck construction, before building a boat dock, it’s important to consider how it will be used. Not all docks are used just  for anchoring a boat, so while it’s possible to simply build an 8-foot square and tie a boat to one pillar, it’s far more practical to consider all the possible uses and work them into the final plan.

Some considerations to make include:

• Will you want furniture on the dock – there will need to be additional width to accommodate
• Will you fish off the dock – a built-in bench or storage containers at one end might be desired or a step down to retrieve your catch
• Will it be placed in full sunlight – if so, light-colored decking materials may be beneficial to avoid burning your feet
• Will people be jumping off the dock – if so, cantilevering the end of the dock away from the end joists will make it safer and less likely  for someone to injure themselves on the edge of the footers
• Is the dock in shallow water – you may want to plan a railing into  the design so someone falling off the side of the dock isn’t injured

Many states and areas do not regulate dock building and have no  requirements. However, it’s still important to check with the local town  or municipality before beginning construction, as some areas are  protected and may require specific planning. While permits are not  always needed for docks, it’s always a good idea to file plans anyway  and to check for local ordinances before beginning.

While in many ways a dock is similar to a deck, it’s a fact that at  least a portion of the dock will be submerged in water. Ideally, you  want as much of the dock as possible above the water line, because  anything submerged will be subject to harsher conditions and weathering  patterns. However, you don’t want our dock located too high above the  water as this will make it difficult to access your boat, among other  activities like fishing and diving.

Therefore, plan on having the bottom of the docks beams a few inches  above the maximum waterline. Remember that water levels can change and  fluctuate over time, so when planning for the height of the dock, keep  the highest possible level as your guide. For lakes, this is easy to  find; locate the water runoff and measure its height. Runoffs are  generally installed at the maximum height of the lake. For smaller  bodies of water, you may want to check records or look at natural stone  outcroppings to find the highest water mark and use it as your guide.

While it’s possible to simply sink wooden posts into the lake, pond, or ocean bed to create a dock footer, this isn’t necessarily the most  stable or the longest lasting solution. In most cases, using a PVC pipe  filled with concrete to surround the post makes the best footer. Either a  12-inch or 18-inch PVC pipe can be used to help support the dock, with  the pipe extending several inches up out of the water so that any  exposed wood will be kept from submerging.

It’s generally best to sink the pipe and concrete at least three feet  into the bed; a post hole digger is usually enough to create a hole  large enough to sink the pipe, which is then emptied of water before the  post and concrete are added. In most cases, the posts will end up being  8 to 10-feet 6×6’s; they can be trimmed to height once the concrete  sets.

Once the footers and outer posts have been set, you can start  building the dock exactly the way you would build a deck. A frame is  created first to the measurements and shape you determined, then decking  material is applied. Shoreline support posts can be installed once the  basic frame is complete; it’s necessary to wait until this point to  install these posts as the frame can add stability, but also give better  measurements than those taken from the outer posts.

Like a traditional deck, you have a lot of choices for the material  used to cover the dock. Many people who have built with pressure treated  wood in the past have been experimenting with other materials in more  recent years due performance concerns. While pressure treated wood is  often the most cost conservative dock planking option, it is prone to  checking, warping and splitting, especially in an environment so exposed  to moisture. In addition to the performance shortfalls, because docks  are located directly above water, stain or paint that can peel, chip and  flake can contaminate the water and is therefore often heavily  regulated, which may affect the desired look you want. For these reasons  and more, contractors and homeowners alike have been trending away from  traditional pressure treated wood dock planking. Composite decking is often recommended for docks because of it’s  superiority in moisture resistance compared to pressure treated wood,  however it too has drawbacks to consider. Composite decking is primarily composed of plastic which causes it to heat up in the sun, making it  difficult to walk barefoot on. It also has a very plastic look and feel  to it, that many don’t like. Some more inexpensive versions also won’t  hold up as well to the moisture levels of the area, which means only  high-end composite materials should be considered. Another alternative is modified wood. Modified wood, like Kebony, is  transformed from a natural softwood to a highly durable, water-resistant  material that doesn’t require staining nor does it heat up in the sun.  Because it’s real wood, it provides the rich, natural beauty that people  look for and through the modification process it far surpasses pressure  treated wood in performance and durability, to rival the best tropical  hardwoods. Modified wood has truly cemented its position in the industry  as an ideal material for boat docks.

Depending on the location, the number of boats you wish to moore and  any other activities you plan on using your dock for, there are several  different designs that may be suitable. Perhaps one of these dock design  will help you decide what will work best for your project.

While many docks are fixed in their position using piling for support  underneath the surface, others involve a flotation system that  automatically adjust to high and low water levels. Floating systems can  be used in both small, more private settings, but can also be scaled to  equip an entire marina, like the one in this picture. This marina built a  massive floating dock system, using natural modified wood decking, to  make efficient use of the uneven shoreline and naturally adjust to  different water conditions.