First and foremost, Thanx to everyone who has posted here on the subject of floating docks, I think I�ve read them all. My goal was to build a 12 x 16 floating dock for fishing, easy ingress/egress of a small pond boat and sitting on & drinking beer. Unfortunately, I do not have a tractor with a FEL to place it in the water, so I had to improvise with what I had, which is a 5x10 landscape/motorcycle trailer. I began by building bunks on the trailer so I could launch the dock like a boat. I built it out of pressure treated pine with a 2x12 rim frame, 2x6 joists and 2x4 cross bracing. I then decked it with standard 5/4 decking. I chose galvanized 3.5� framing nails in lieu of screws simply because I thought the nails were adequate. If I�m proven wrong over time, I will just replace any nails that back out with screws. The gangway is 4� x 16� with 3 each 2x8 stringers and 2x6 cross-bracing and decking on top. I did use 55 Gal plastic barrels for floats, but only after careful consideration of ESSHUP�s concerns expressed in another posting here. After close examination of my white barrels, I noticed most were made from an opaque/white material and the construction was identical to the blue ones. I did have a few that appeared to be made from a different material, a milky looking white material and the construction seemed a little different. So, I used the opaque/white ones. If they cause problems later, I have a plan to easily swap them out as needed. Now for the pictures.
The �launch vehicle�, a 5x10, single axle, landscape trailer.
First added 4x4 corner supports, 24� tall. This should be tall enough for the suspended barrels to clear the fenders at launch.
The completed launch vehicle.
The 2x4 across the front is raised a bit to give it a �lip� to stop the dock frame when we slide it up on the trailer. This will also allow me to anchor it to the trailer with a couple of deck screws through the �lip� into the dock frame.
The dock frame under construction. The ratchet strap was very useful to pull the rim frame 2x12�s together to hold the 2x6 joists in place for nailing. At this point it was a one man operation and the straps proved invaluable.
The finished dock frame. I didn�t use as much cross bracing as some have because I didn�t think it was necessary. The installed decking with approximately 700+ 3.5� galvanized nails will provide all the cross bracing needed.
While I waited on my helpers to arrive I thought I�d take a break and fish a bit. Caught 9 or 10 of these little guys while I waited.
It was late when my helpers arrived; I was just glad they showed up! Loading it was much easier than I anticipated, Four guys lifted the front edge of the frame and I backed the trailer under it, they sat it down then picked up the other end and slid it onto the trailer. It�s hard to see the trailer under there, it has about 3.5� hanging off each side. Lengthwise, it has 10� on the trailer and 6� hanging off. I added the vertical brace for stability while I hung the barrels.
Left side with the barrels hung. Temporarily suspended the barrels in place using �� poly rope.
Right side with the barrels hung.
Drove the few hundred yards to the pond and backed it into the water, it slid off as planned. I barely got the trailer wheels wet and the wrangler pulled the trailer out and never spun a tire.
Next step was to haul the gangway down to the pond.
Here you can better see the poly rope used to hold the barrels in place, now it�s time for it to come off.
For the shore pilings, I used 4�x6� PT pine, set about 30� deep in concrete. Used standard galvanized dock hardware to attach the gangway to the dock, but on the shore end, I used a 5� long, �� black pipe with galvanized caps on each end. This cost about $8 and is more than adequate.
Another view of the shore-side connection.
Gangway attached to dock frame.
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Getting late, had time to start decking the gangway.
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But there was still time to catch a few more of these. The sunset more than made up for the small size. It�s late February and there is no jacket on that arm�.not even a long sleeve.
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Here�s where I deviated slightly from the plan, although I anticipated this and kinda planned for it. To help compensate for the list due to the weight of the gangway, I added a 13th barrel on that side. The joists supporting the other barrels are set on 20� centers, but I left the center spacing here wide enough to slide the 13th barrel in from the top and secure it with 2x4�s set flat. Although it helped, it did not take the entire list out.
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Sunset on the finished dock.
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After I cut off the pilings level, I decided to cut some bevels freehand, not perfect, but not bad for a 10� skill saw.
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And here�s the finished product, well, almost finished. On my next trip down, I will add a 10-12� approach ramp and add some weights so the dock sits level.
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As for costs;
Barrels Free
Silicon Sealant $8
Lumber $575
Galvanized Hardware $20
Galvanized Nails $52
Dock Hardware/Hinge $68
Dock Hardware, 1/2�Pipe $8
Rope $6
Total $750 (MOL)
Pricing Notes:
1. Galvanized hardware came from Agri Supply, it is about 75% cheaper when you buy it by the pound vs buying it individually at Home Depot or Lowes.
2. Lumber costs are about 12% cheaper in south Ga vs the Atlanta area, I suppose the difference is shipping since it originates in south Ga. And I got a 10% GI discount.
3. Dock hardware is available from Home Depot only online, it ships free and is the cheapest source I found.
