Hey guys, I have shut the valve off that is feeding my pond through a spring to try to get my dock installed which the water line is currently stopped right where the dock extends out to (24'). The dock is 16'X12' with a 5' by 12' walkway leading out. The dock is built in 2 sections and I have access to all the equipment needed to move it (full size lulls/track hoes etc). My question is, I have done a lot of research and understand there are many ways to do a fixed dock but I am looking for the best way to use pipe and where to anchor it on my dock. I would prefer to go just underneath the dock with the 2" sch. 40 galvanized pipe and have a extra piece of 2x6 for it to sit on then use the straps with the set screws to help stabilize it against the other 2x6 vertically. My main question: I currently have a dry area to put my posts in, I see a lot of folks just hammering the pipe into the bottom and setting the dock on it, wouldn't that allow for some settling over time? Or is that not really a concern? I am unsure whether or not to auger holes and try to concrete the pipe in then cut it to height using a laser, or just hammer it down a few feet with a trackhoe? Any opinions/suggestions would be appreciated, I am running out of time and I have 14 posts to set (I think) and want to do it the best way possible but also the most efficient way and not have it drag out multiple weekends, I do not have that kind of time, thanks in advance!

I set Osage Orange hedge posts in concrete. Used a tractor post hole digger to drill holes, dropped posts in, poured concrete around.

Don't see why it would not work for pipe also.

Only potential problem I see is if you have a clay liner and penetrate it. I did not have that worry as I had solid clay bottom.

Ok great thanks! And yes after 1ft of top soil I was clay the whole way through. This may sound like a dumb question to some, and I am mechanically inclined I swear lol just trying to figure out the easiest/best way to do this: Because I am not running the posts along side the dock (which I am only doing for aesthetics, I thought they would look good kind of hidden underneath) I think it will be difficult even with using a laser to hit all my heights with the slope taken into account, either the holes will have the be perfect to accommodate the pipe or I will be trimming the pipe after it is secured. Just not sure whether or not to lay it all out and hope to get close, or maybe fly the dock into place with the machine and kind of go from there? Remember its 12'x16'. Thanks!

Here is an old thread on docks that I keep on my watch list.

Adding a dock

You might find some good suggestions there. Here is my post within that thread with some more info below it.
snrub's dock Since the pictures were taken I have raised the full pool water level. At full pool the water now is about 2" below the metal tabs that attach to the posts. When the overflow is running the water will come up on the metal tabs a ways. When the emergency overflow runs several inches deep the water will almost touch the bottom of the "I" beam.

I took a bunch of pictures building it but have no idea where they are at. That was pre-PBF days for me. If I ever run across them I will post them.

I have used a pressure washer pump to drive 2" round posts really easy. I have never gave it much thought of it sinking after time. We tooled on the straight nozzle directly on the end of the washer hose. Set post where we want it and start pushing the hose down the pipe. With little effort the pipe shoots down as far as you want to push it. If you get larger pipe you can run it in with a rottery nozzle placed on the end of the hose. Only problem is large rocks. They will stop the party.

Cheers Don.