Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat floating dock supports

floating dock kits are crazy expensive, so here is what I did.

1. 2x16x16feet long and 2x16x8feet wide frame, 4x4s in corner, landscape 6 inch screws. very sturdy.
2. supports, use 2 1/8 inch galvanized pipe support-to-wood clamp, with schedule 40 1 5/8 PVC clamped in it. the PVC is self-lubricating, until it wears out. use 6 inch landscape screws to hold to frame
3. one inch pipes, through the PVC, drive at least 4 feet into the bottom.
4. found some 24 inch thick dock foam at a recycling center, but you also could use blue drums. you will have to work out the attachment details.

held up to 3 ...update 5...Texas wind storm so far.

...update... I am draining the pool so I can see the original water line to apply the Bentonite Otto recommended (see Bentonite Market Survey for details) I expect to have to re-set one of the poles As it was windy when originally set and is at about 15 degrees.

I think that even I could get that built good job.

OTTO

I like it. What could be more simple. I think the key is locating the floats at surplus cost. Can you guesstimate the materials cost?
How 'bout a couple pics?

Yea where are the pictures.

I built one as follows.

10x10 sq

2x10 joist and end caps
2x6 decking
blue plastic drums ( I got free but they are about 6$ each to buy
nylon rope
1-1/2 galvanized electrical conduit
2 inch galvanized u-straps for conduit

I have provided a crude pic below. Basically I spaced the floor joist so that the drums would wedge them selfs in between and not touch the floor decking putting the load on the joist. Rope was only needed in case of high wind, otherwise they stay in place with out it. all put together with decking screws

how many drums did you use

RT,

I used the same "pinch" method as you on my floating deck. I didn't use any ropes or attachment methods. The drums are solid, and have never moved.

I started with 10 drums on my 8x16 deck. The 1000# deck floated a bit low, and the 2x12 frame would touch the water when 2 of us stood on one corner. I added 4 more drums for a total of 14, and that fixed it. The drums were free, so I added 4 more for a total of 20. I estimate it would take ~7000# to sink it.

For the 10x10 I used 9 barrels. I put cross blockers or joist at the ends of the barrels . As I have said before if I did it again I would make it rectangled so that the weight of the dock would overcome the weight of the 16' walk out. With the 10x10 and 16 ft walk out it makes the dock tip up in front until you walk out on it, then it levels out. I think I'd make it 10x16 or 10 x 20. the original cost was about 500$ but that was several years ago. One additional tip, don't deck it until you have the frame floating, it's much easier to launch that way.

Brings back memories.

I finished the entire deck on dry land. My little 35hp tractor was just able to lift the deck and ease it down close to the water. Then my No2 son floated the barrels in place between the 2x12 joists. When they were all in place, I eased the deck down on the barrels. Wish I had got a picture of my little tractor hoisting up that deck!

Looks great!! What was your source for the barrels?

Calvin, I am not sure the capacity of a blue barrel, but the flotation value is 8 pounds for each gallon of water displaced. For example, it would take about 320 pounds to submerge a 40 gallon barrel completely.

I had a friend who's dad treated water systems so mine were free. But you can buy them from a coka cola plant or farm ag store that carry fertilzers and such.

I find blue barrels along most state highways, e.g. 121 in Anna, here in Texas.

They use orange ones in Ohio.

I had a friend decide to have fun and knock one of these orange barrels over in his brand new car. To his suprise it had been filled with sand (impact barrier) Kinda of spoiled his fun after the huge dent in his passenger side door.

Heh heh heh...

I had the same thought one time until I saw a road crew guy lift the top off one of those barrels and there was a big burlap sandbag on the base on the ground. It took two of them to toss the bag on their trailer and then they stacked the top and the base next to it. That sight cured me of my impulse.