Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Gated dock community

I'm purt near done with putting down the decking for a pier with a deck attached at the end. It should be a great destination at the project, but I don't want uninvited guests, let alone a potential drowning hazard.
I vaguely recall this subject being broached in past threads, but cannot locate any specific info. I am looking for some details and pics of gates protecting use of pondmeister's docks. I need ideas.

We need some pics.

Brettski,

I think style has a lot to do with it. Are you shooting for "deranged/crazy pond owner who may shoot tresspassers" or simple yet functional "dont do it " design?

gator

B'ski I have seen 2 types. I am sure there are many more. One is a chain link fence type. It has posts about 3 ft on either side of the pier with the gate attached to one and connecting to the other. Gate is about 10in above the pier height. It locks to the second post. It was about 6 ft high. The reason for this approach was to be able to see through the gate to the lake/pier end. The second was similar but was wood and matched the pier. The gate opened in the middle to swing to each post. Locked in the middle.

Put up whatever you want then hang a "WARNING:HIGH VOLTAGE" sign on it with a suspicious looking large gauge wire buried into the ground. Shellack and place a couple of well charred roadkill critters around for effect. Anyone brave/dumb enough to try it out would probably be impossible to keep out anyway.

-

-
We're still lookin' for alot of rain; the water level is 30" short of normal pool. The bottoms of all the support ledgers (the lowest horizontal framing members) is 6" above normal pool. The approach dock is 4' wide x 30' long.
-
Because of the gentle slope and the conveniently adjacent concrete launch (no, it's not a 12' wide sidewalk), I don't really expect to ward off trespassers. In the final analysis, the gate becomes more of a message and safety/legal requirement.
-
I considered a pre-fab galv chain link fence section that is 5' wide. I thought I might sink a galv pole in concrete at grade, just off the side of the dock and hang the gate on it. The swinging side of the gate would rest on a fitting at the opposite edge of the dock, suitable for a padlock. I hate the look...just hate it, but it's convenient, lightweight, cheap, and quick. I already have a PT wooden alternative plan in mind that would function similarly. I just have to mind-engineer it a bit to keep it light in weight. Something like a 1-by frame with a green plastic lattice insert. I have a bunch of the 1/8" SS cable left from my pond decoy marker project. Combined with a SS turnbuckle, it would provide the diagonal support and adjustment required to keep the gate square. Heck, the lattice might do it alone.
I think the bigger decision is where to locate it on the dock. In pic #2, the orange flags locate the shoreline at normal pool (btw Ewest, I am planning on another 9 tons of SMB spawning rock to be dumped and spread right into that little triangle...good idea or bad?). Between the concrete launch on one side of the dock and the potential of a rock bottom at the other side, I gotta think the smart money puts the gate at least 1/2 way up the dock towards the deck. Now, the safety/legal question. God forbid something catastrophic would occur...but should it happen, is the location of the gate gonna have an effect? I mean, if the gate is located much closer to the deck, that leaves maybe 20' of the dock open to easy access from the shore. A portion of that 20' WILL have water around it when the pond is full. Granted, the depth will be very shallow, but we've all heard the can drown in a teaspoon of water story.
In my mind, I have to accept the constants and negotiate the variables. One constant is that no matter where I put a gate, if someone wants to go around it they will. Knowing only this makes me want to locate the gate directly above the shoreline at normal pool, thus mitigating some of the potentially catastrophic variables. Finally, and this for the legal minds, what location will provide the best defense (I hate asking that question...but gotta).

Brettski:

Maybe you mentioned this and I missed it - where on the above walkway and deck are you goin to put railings?

...hadn't planned on any. The thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it since this is a dock. The launch side should remain unguarded for loading and unloading. I anticipate a boat docking off the front or side of the deck, so that must also remain unguarded (plus I don't want obstructions as I operate the net to haul in the lunker the Dski just caught for dinner). That leaves the shore side of the deck and the non-launch side of the dock that could be equipped with railings. Seems useless at that point...?

Brettski I thank you are worring to much. If someone has came onto your property this far from your front gate and drowns in your pond weather you put a gate on your pier or not is not going to make much difference in a court of law. The corner of your dock is so close to the edge of the shore line that even my fat ass could easily jump onto it without getting my feet wet. And were do you stop, are you going to put a 8 foot chain link with barbed wire all around the the entire pond? I think not. If your going to put PT railing around the entire pier which would discourage intruders, then I would put a slide gate made out of the same pt at the end of the walk just before entering onto the deck. I stayed at a beach house a few years back and it was done this way the gate blended with the rest of the railing. Other wise I put a warning sign at the start of the dock and be done with it. Besides railing on that size dock is just going to be in the way of fishing and take away from the look you have going already IMO.

You do not need a gate on you dock for civil protection from trespassers. Now a gate on your dock to protect invited guests may be reasonable but certainly not necessary.
Toby

B'ski see the pic. I would put the gate at the red line. Deep enough that one will have to wade to get around it and shallow enough that if one falls they can stand up. I assume the water will be about 2 ft deep there. On the rock - if you are talking about the marked area ( R ) then don't add them there unless very small (no bigger than golf ball size). I would use sand if you want a nice bottom. You don't want someone falling or jumping off the deck on to large rocks. Other places would be better for the SMB as well.

I'm thinking kinda in line with Rockytopper. If there's no railing (and I follow, understand, and agree with Bski's logi on where there can't be a railing), what does a gate do that a no trespassing sign doesn't? Make someone climb around it or up onto the dock from shore? I guess maybe it could keep little kids or hydrophobics off.

Setups where the dock juts out from shore into deep water, especially where there are goodies on it like auto-feeders, I can see restricting access from shore. I think ML's place has a dock like that.

Thanks, Ewest. I agree with the location of the gate.
WRT the rock, yep...that's the zone. I am not looking for a "nice bottom"...nix the sand. I hadn't considered the bodily harm that the larger rocks (mix of golf balls to basketballs) might cause to someone falling in, tho I do put that in the same category as the thread focus. Anal retentive safety considerations aside, are you still against my noted rock mix in this area? I was thinkin' the same stuff we laid in at the other end of the pond.

-
I thought it would be way cool to be able to sit at the dock and watch the progress. Or, maybe this area is not suitable due to the dock, or activity, or...?
Any further thoughts as to whether we will be able to thwart the crafty, cat-like reflexes and movements proposed by Rockytopper:

B'ski,

Im in the no-gate camp on this one. What you have there looks so nice and clean, no obstructions...seems like a gate will change the whole character.

If I had to do a gate, I would put it out at the entrance to the deck area so it would blend in better.

Would a sign work for instead?

I think the fish will like the area around the dock and should use the area as long as no one is stomping around the dock. My only concern was the risk I noted. If you are ok with that then go for it. Just don't put them where people may be jumping off the dock into the water (front side). It would be good if a few went under the dock edge in back. You might want to put a few on the non-boat side of the dock for a bed also. How deep is the water at those locations?

FH and small fish will love that area as will craws , etc. It will be a good area for them to hide. If deep enough the SMB may spawn there. RES should spawn there also.

Brettski, generally when I execute the crafty, cat-like reflexes and movements that I proposed, I have had a few, and the first words out of my mouth before I proceed with the execution are �WATCH THIS�. This has lead to numerous stories that I am reminded of at every family reunion. I wish not to elaborate any further. I think you can picture it. If I�m lucky enough to trespass into the marvelous paradise you have created some day I�ll give you a personal demonstration. You�ll have to furnish the FEW it�s the least you could do for a good laugh.

You don�t know me :p

Very tasteful, Dwight.

Dwight, around here, those pictures would only make things worse. If I ever need to make signs, I will use pictures of a crow, a carp, and a goat.

bobad - these might work even better!

Brettski, I think this is the only deterent you'll need if you post this photo:




People will be scared.

You'd be crazy not to be scared.

Sunil - That metal stringer with dead and dying fish on it will scare the fish away.

Gail thinks the guy in that photo is cute.

It is possible that his red 1979 Rally Sport has affected her ability differentiate between cute of the man and cool of the car. :rolleyes:

Theo punching bag Gallus...my favorite PB forum Weebil. How do you do it?
-
-
Dwight,
With your permission, I would like to use your sign, but incorporate significant visual deterrents. The only issues I foresee is civil action by the neighborhood parents for the mental damage suffered by their children as a result of exposure to such a deeply disturbing image.
-
-
-
-
-
-

Brettski - Ok, but you need to put Brettski and Donnaski in the owner�s line on the bottom.

Our trial attorney budget is limited since John Edwards bought a Flowbee