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mojo43
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# Posted: 11 Apr 2012 10:22pm
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I am planning to build a 8X10 (or maybe 12) floating dock. I have found some barrels that I plan to strap to the decking. I also looked at buying a kit, but they are at least twice the price. I am trying to figure out why they are so much more expensive. Is it because of the hardware that is included? It shows that there are a bunch of L brackets and other brackets.
Do I even need this? I wasn't planning on using any metal brackets.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 11 Apr 2012 11:10pm
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Mostly it's because you are paying them for their efforts putting it all together. Called profit. Sometimes they may include parts that are more or less unique, made special and perhaps that can ease the job of assembly. Some people find it reassuring too.
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soundandfurycabin
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 12:47am
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Will the dock be in calm water or rough? Constant waves or floating debris can quickly tear apart a dock. Heavy galvanized reinforcing brackets are a very good idea in that case. Have a look at other docks on the same body of water to see how they are put together.
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mojo43
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 08:42am
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Ahhh I see. The water is very calm. It is a river and the dock will need to taken out of the water in the winter, but there are rarely any waves. I will check out the other docks. Thanks for the message.
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 10:52am
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What will you use to strap the barrels to the underside? I am planning on doing the same thing.
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 10:54am
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I was planning on doing the same as in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThuowGa-5M4
I think he says that he uses garden hose bolted to the underside.
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 11:37am
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Thanks mojo43!
This is a very timely topic for me. I appreciate the video link!
Garden hose! Why didn't I think of this? Here I am ready to buy expensive steel strapping only to watch it rust in the water when I just happen to have yards of old garden hose at my disposal and never even thought of putting it to good use.
Once again the forum comes through!
Many thanks. Good luck with your dock project 
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 11:38am
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No worries at all. I am planning to do mine in the next couple of weeks. If you wouldn't mind I would love to see some pics if you have time?
Thanks in advance...
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 11:47am
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I am on a similar timeline as you, and honestly I have 1 or 2 more pressing camp projects before I get to this, but I will certainly send photos of mine when done.
I have a small, still lake and only an 8' x 40" wide dock section to contend with. Looking at that video I am very impressed at the floatation they achieved using barrels, given the weight of that dock.
Since I'm only 8' I was thinking of just 2 barrels, one on each end, and then perhaps just attaching poles at the sides for lateral stability (since I am not doing a T shape). Do you think 2 will be sufficient?
Thanks.
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 11:55am
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Hmmm... Those are the type of questions that I am running into as well. I think until you try it, you won't know. I am thinking of using 6 barrels (3 on each side) for a 8X10. I haven't gotten the barrels yet so I am not sure what the length is of each barrel.
I will probably build the dock with barrel supports and lay it on the water with the barrels to see what kind of stability I get. Then I'll build the supports. I would hate to build it all and find out it is too tipsy etc....
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 12:08pm
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Quoting: soundandfurycabin # Posted: 12 Apr 2012 00:47 Reply Quote Will the dock be in calm water or rough? Constant waves or floating debris can quickly tear apart a dock. Heavy galvanized reinforcing brackets are a very good idea in that case. Have a look at other docks on the same body of water to see how they are put together.
X2
With him, rough water, need it secure. Woldens Pond, not as much.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2012 12:30pm
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built in 07 ,saw mill hardwood ,stock hardware 1 2ft 2x2 galvanized angal iron , 1 role galvanized straping ,3 plastic drums 16 1\4 in x 2 bolts and washers . some galvanized nails.. we are also on a river so one boat a day .take it out every winter. the water is about 6 ft deep off the end of thr dock . the end is chained to a submerged concrete block .
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:01pm
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Just finished building mine today. I used 4 - 55 gallon drums for an 8X10 dock. It looks great if I may so myself. Let me know if you want to see pics!
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:04pm
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I would! I'm interested in seeing how you strapped the barrels to the underside. Did you use rubber hose?
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:41pm
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Damn, I forgot to take pics of the strapping. What I did is drilled 4 holes for each barrel and tied nylon rope around it. I figured the barrels aren't going anywhere with the braced wood around the barrels. I think it should hold up.... Let me know if you have any questions!
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:42pm
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Here's the last pic
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tbjohn
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:33am
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I have had a dock on a small lake in Maine for 28 years and used 5 55gal plastic barrels. When I built the dock I just blocked in the places where the barrels are. I did cut a block with the curve oc the barrel for wach end. One in each conner and one extra where the walkway hits it. THeyhave never gone anywhere and never have had a strap. It has even done a harricane....I did put an extra rope on it for that. The weight alone seems to keep things in place.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2012 06:33am
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Thanks for the info and pictures. You did a nice job there! Now the heat is on for me to build mine.
Thanks for sharing.
Bob
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2012 10:59am
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No problem at all. Post some pics when you're done! Now onto building a bunkie!
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2016 09:06am
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My friend had a similar dock. The geese would use it to sit and sleep. He fed them, they became accustomed and would approach him when he came, and they even became affectionate.
He had a doting flock on a floating dock.
  
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2016 09:45am
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I'll bet that's not all he had on his dock !! NO NO goose !!! grandkids only .
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old243
Member
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:04am
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I used a couple if surplus , flat roof steel truss sections. We welded a frame underneath. at the outer end put 2 inch pipes , down to a couple of car tires rims and hubs , formed in an axle . roll it in in the spring out in the fall. Legs have set screw adjustment so you can adjust it to suit your depth. Put it in and out with an ATV. with 2 legs at shore end and adjustment it is quite stable , no rocking
To keep geese and other birds off the dock , get an owl decoy from a n outdoor store, we have one sitting on one of the dock posts, never a problem, he keeps an eye on things, been there for years. old243
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