Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? Building a new Dock

I am planning to attach the frame to the posts and then the joist's to the frame,but that could change I guess. I am not sure what you mean by bolting BEAMS to the post. Are you talking about the outside frame when you say BEAMS?

There will be a 2x8 bolted to each post on all sides except for the outer post's of course, if that's what your asking.

This way the each joist will only span 8 feet and will be 16 inches apart. Does this sound good?

I am starting dock building today!!! I decided to make the concrete footings with the tubes in the water. My question is do you pre-mix the concrete with water before you pour it into the tube or do you pour it dry into the tube and let the pond water soak into it? I am assuming you premix so you get it all mixed well.

JK
I can't comment on your concrete pour. I have never done it in the water. I'm not sure I completely understand your plan. Maybe some of these other guys have done this before and can provide advice.

well we used the tractor auger to dig holes that were 3 foot deep and 6 inches under the water line. We then filled the holes with quickcrete that was dry and we let the pond water do it's magic.

I think quikcrete's fast setting can be poured in dry but from my experience, premixed concrete will force water out of the tube. Either way, the concrete will not be as strong as if it had been poured into dry forms and properly cured but I expect it will probably be good enough for what you're doing.

Thanks Ryan, I am in my third day of building and it's going along well although I have been having to dig my holes by hand. I have only 1 corner post left to set in the water and 1 8x8 section left to frame. It has definitely been a learning experience with a 20 minute ride 1 way to Home Depot each day. I am having fun and will post some pic's as soon as I can remember how. Thanks, John

Oh and that's a very nice picture of dock plans. That's what I did on my dock except there is one more section with two more post's 16 x 24. That's much nicer than my try at it.