This is our pier/dock.

[img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/AW7TXz6Hgd17yEWA9[/img]

I just bought an aluminum mini pontoon boat and I want to leave it tied up to this pier all the time. But I'm going to have to add some dock fenders, or cushions to the end of the pier to keep the rough oil field pipe from rubbing on the pontoons.

The water level fluctuates as much as 4 feet. What you see in the picture is normal level, but it will drop another foot and also rise to about a foot above the deck boards. The deck boards are plastic wood and will never rot. They are screwed down with stainless steel screws also. But the pipe rusts, and is rough.

I've considered pipe insulation. I'v also considered welding some tabs/brackets onto the pipe to allow me to bolt some kind of a fender onto the side of the pier. Has anyone tried to put cushions or fenders on this kind of a pier? If so, what did you use?

Not sure what I would use. I would however stay clear of the pipe insulation. I don't think it would hold up to bumping. Being exposed to the weather full time it would break apart pretty fast. I could be wrong (happens a lot lol). I might try and find like some mud flap material. Its very strong and handles the weather.

I guess it's too late to sleeve the posts with PVC pipe. Along the mudflap idea of RStringer's...conveyor belting would work well, but it's expensive to buy new. If you know someone that works in a factory that uses belt conveyors you could get some used for nothing before it goes to the dump.

Maybe for a cheap temporary fix...black corrugated drain tile...split down the side and pop-wrapped around the pipes and hose clamped at the top.

looks like a good solid dock that will be there for years.


I wonder if any of these might work?

Dock Pole Bumper

Dock Post Bumper

Dock Bumpers

Amazon Dock Bumpers

Another idea is to mount some old tires along the rail. Any size would work i would think.

Zep, I'm searching through all of those style products, but fasting them to 2 7/8" pipe is going to require some fabrication. I've pretty much decided to get out in the shop and start fabricating something to weld onto the pipe that would allow dock bumpers to be bolted on.

Good ideas from everyone. When I get something installed I'll post a picture.

Lynyrd....

I suppose some version of this would not work either?

Pole Foam Snake Wrap


3 inch Foam Pole Protector

That might work for the pipe posts, but it may not be very durable. As for the edge of the floor, there would be no way to use it there. I'm going to the steel yard and pick up some 2"x3"x3/16 angle iron and weld it onto the posts and the pipe that supports the deck. That will give me something to bolt to. I also ordered some of these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AQI4T2Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hopefully the weather will be good enough this weekend for me to work on getting them installed.

Yes I wondered about the long term durability. I ordered some of the corner pieces that DockGear.com sells that seem to be working pretty well. I think you are right to customize something that works over the long term.

What about taking some "U" bolts, and welding a piece of flat steel to them? Say 1/4" thick x 2"-3" tall and 6"-8" long. Weld them so when the u bolt is clamped to the pipe the flat pieces of steel are horizontal.

Then get some white UHMW, 1/2"-3/4" thick, 6"-8" wide and 6 feet long. Counterbore holes so they can be bolted to the flat stock that was welded to the u bolts. As the water level drops, keep adding u-bolts so the plastic can be bolted to them.

If you are worried about the plastic expanding and bowing in the heat, make countersunk slots and let it "float" on the attachment bolts.

The white corian countertops are a type of UHMW. If you know anyone that fabricates them, maybe you can get drops?

U-bolts would work for the pipe posts, but they won't work for the edge of the pier deck. But if I weld some angle iron under the pipe that supports the deck, then i will have a flat surface to drill and bolt to. Just gotta be careful about welding from an aluminum boat..... grin.