Tips for building a floating dock, please!

[DixyDoodle]

I have about 20 plastic barrels (the big ones). I was hoping to use them to build a floating dock. Has anyone ever built one before, and any good links showing how to build them? Pics would be great also, since I'm not particularly handy.

I doubt I need to use all 20 barrels though, just enough to make a fair-sized dock that the kids can fish off of. We have a private, spring-fed pond in our back yard. We will be pulling the dock off the water come winter.

What kind of wood would you recommend? Lighter is preferred. I was thinking, maybe put a pole in each corner to keep it steady....or maybe just some concrete blocks with chains to keep the dock in place? I know for sure that the pond bottom is a bit soft, so maybe the blocks are better?

Any opinions greatly appreciated!

[Shavings]

I used pressure treated wood on mine. It has lasted 15 years in Florida without water repellant treatment. I've used one concrete block and it will drag it somewhat, if that is a problem you might consider using a light boat anchor. I wouldn't think that it would be too much money and you may be to locate a used one.

Originally Posted by Shavings

I've used one concrete block and it will drag it somewhat, if that is a problem you might consider using a light boat anchor.

Did you ever try two to keep it from drifting?

[DixyDoodle]

I haven't been able to find any used ones, people tend to keep docks. To buy a basic frame, $1500! GAHHH! Just to let the kids stand on it once in a while to fish for a few bass, no thanks!

Would you suggest a certain kind of wood, that would not be too heavy? There IS an old dock here, I suspect the old owner used a tractor to move it, 'cause it certainly cannot be moved by hand (it's laying upside down in the field, and partly rotted, anyhow).

What size would you suggest? I don't need anything huge, maybe long enough for several kids to stand on, and long enough to dock a canoe at.

[EDDIE BUCK]

Originally Posted by DixyDoodle

I haven't been able to find any used ones, people tend to keep docks. To buy a basic frame, $1500! GAHHH! Just to let the kids stand on it once in a while to fish for a few bass, no thanks!

Would you suggest a certain kind of wood, that would not be too heavy? There IS an old dock here, I suspect the old owner used a tractor to move it, 'cause it certainly cannot be moved by hand (it's laying upside down in the field, and partly rotted, anyhow).

What size would you suggest? I don't need anything huge, maybe long enough for several kids to stand on, and long enough to dock a canoe at.

Recon one of these would work,minus the truck of course?
Seriously,have you thought of using the thick styrofoam 4x8 sheets that lowes sells?I'v seen decks using them and they work great for that purpose. Just build a frame and floor with wood over the stf sheets,or the barrels you already have. This might help also. http://www.diychatroom.com/f16/float...ck-396/index2/ eb

[whistler]

Originally Posted by DixyDoodle

I haven't been able to find any used ones, people tend to keep docks. To buy a basic frame, $1500! GAHHH! Just to let the kids stand on it once in a while to fish for a few bass, no thanks!

Would you suggest a certain kind of wood, that would not be too heavy? There IS an old dock here, I suspect the old owner used a tractor to move it, 'cause it certainly cannot be moved by hand (it's laying upside down in the field, and partly rotted, anyhow).

What size would you suggest? I don't need anything huge, maybe long enough for several kids to stand on, and long enough to dock a canoe at.

Hello,

I haven't built my floating dock yet, although I have done a ton of research on how to do so. A few things that always come up and are nearly universally agreed upon:

• 6 feet/2 meters is the minimum width for the sake of stability
• make it as heavy as possible to promote stabilty (as the weight of the floating dock increases, the load of people becomes a smaller portion of the gross weight)
• treated lumber is mandatory on framing
• decking should be treated but you might squeek by with non-treated and a religious regimen of sealant protection
• your dock must be able to move up and down to account for water level fluctuations -- anchors should not be tight
• use posts pounded into the bottom to keep the dock in place

I plan to make mine 8 feet by 16 feet. The four corners will consist of heavy steel braces along with a sleeve to pound a pipe deep into the bottom of the lake. I figure it will weigh well over 1000 pounds by the time I am done.

The primary reason I haven't started is because I have no idea how to get something like that in and out of the water every year.

This is what I have learned so far.

Whistler

[fordson major]

stay away from white barrels! they crack and break up when exposed to sun!

[ronbre]

i would build a platform the size you want..with a goodly lip over the side..and make sure you have a grab ladder type thing that the "not the best swimmers" can grab onto to pull up onto the dock..once that is done fit the barrels under it and fasten them together and to the dock..add an anchor.

[prometheus]

I got a used 10X20X1.5' section of galvanized angle iron from our Irrigation District that had once been used as a wheeled dock for the boat launch. I welded up axles from 3" sucker rod and junk yard wheels and tires. Our lake would freeze several feet thick and I had to pull the dock in the winter. I got some used truck tires for free and cut off one sidewall of each. I then nestled the same type of barrels you have (after filling with Styrofoam peanuts I got for free) between two tires which I carriage bolted them to the frame. I attached the dock to the shore via two 1/2" cables from the shore-side corners running at 45 degrees to large trees.

Sorry, I don't have pics handy to share. When you are making yours remember each barrel has 440# of flotation. I used 8 and had up to 20 people on the dock with no problems.

[whistler]

Originally Posted by prometheus

I got some used truck tires for free and cut off one sidewall of each. I then nestled the same type of barrels you have ... between two tires which I carriage bolted them to the frame.

You, sir, are a freakin' genius!!!!

Whistler

[Simpler Times]

We have had on in the water for about 10 years. Its built of pressure treated lumber but we never put any sort of preservative on it. We just built the frame of the dock out of 2 x 10s and they cup over the barrels. That's all that holds them in place. We used four barrels and they are arranged in two sets of two barrels end-to end. Our dock is "hooked" on the bank where we set the frame over a couple of cut off saplings. The only problem is that when the water level changes a lot it makes the dock slightly unlevel. We leave it in the water year round and so far it is showing no signs of rotting.

[prometheus]

Originally Posted by whistler

You, sir, are a freakin' genius!!!!

Whistler

Thanks. To quote Paul Atreides. It seemed like the right way.

[palani]

As in all things that float, the center of buoyancy should be located above the center of gravity. A law of nature is that if this does not happen by design it will happen by fact.

[fixer1958]

I have limited experience with docks, about 35 years I guess.
Is this on a lake or pond?
Rough water etc......

3-55 gallon barrels with hold up roughly 500 lbs max.
Spread the area out as far as possible.

Maybe lay all your barrels out and see what the dimensions are.
Bigger the better as far as stability. 2x6 treated lumber is sufficient for the frame work, any bigger adds weight. Don't let the tanks hold up the flooring, use the frame for that.

I would use 1 1/2"x 1/8" angle iron for the frame work, it's lighter and stronger if welded.
Probably cheaper money wise but more possibly labor intensive, welding etc.
For instance, make a box 10'x12' with spacers (vertical) making it 6" high, so you have a frame 10'x12'x6".
It can be done and last for 30 years if you think it out before hand.

The ramp can be made the same way. Just sit the end on the ground. Tie a cable to a stake 10' wider than the dock on shore on both sides and onto each corner of the dock.

It all depends on how well you want to do it.

Make it as spread out as you can, for instance, 5 kids and 2 large adults go to one side to see the the trophy bass someone just snagged.

[raymilosh]

I built one with 4 55 gallon drums.
I did it by building a deck out pressure treated lumber, being careful to space the floor joists so the drums fit neatly between them.
After building the floor and the joists, i flipped it over and set the barrels in there and then built a "skirt" around the drums. It is made of 2x4's and sided with whatever...1x6's in my case. The skirt is really just for appearance.
I tied each drum in place just to be safe, although i could have done without it.
this dock has lasted for about 5 years and is still in good shape.
I have tethered mine to a rope and a concrete weight to keep it out in the middle of the pond. I also attached a good ladder and made it such that it can fold up out of the water. that enables the kids to unclip it from its tether and paddle it around like a raft. If you do this use a rope that floats, so you can find it to reattach it.

Suggestions: build it longer and wider than you need it...it'll help make it more stable. I suggest at least 8 ft square. Mine is about 6 ft by 8 ft and the kids (and i) can get it really rocking side to side when we try...it is fun, but it is a bit unstable. I made it a bit more stable by putting 10 or 20 gallons of water in each drum.

[Paul Wheaton]

Any chance you have some black locust trees on your property you want to get rid of? Lumber from those trees should last longer than treated wood - and probably be less toxic too.