what are the odds...2 breakaway docks months apart in same year?

Floating dock that broke away during recent deluge rain storms.

Crazy that it came to rest so close to where it was anchored and the way it came to rest.




See floating dock supports in water and break-away dock beached in background.

In the second picture it looks to me like the water level got high enough to lift the dock right off the supports. Is that what happened? Maybe need taller supports?

Yes Bill that is exactly what happened. And it is partly my fault on both dock breakaways.

I really like low profile docks that don't take away the beauty of a pond....so on the fixed dock I asked for it to be very close to water because normally I don't see much water fluctuation...but the fixed dock guy when he built it didn't even bracket it down...that was on him...but when he re-attached it after it broke away a few months ago he bracketed down the fixed dock and it stayed in place this time.

Same thing with floating dock....I insisted on shorter poles...Bill I guess I've learned a lesson from Mother Nature.

So what is the answer Mark, putting stops on the existing poles or replacing them with longer ones?

Could you put a rod or pipe on the inside or outside of existing pipe that would extend as dock floated up and collapse as the water receded?

I like this idea.

Tbar and roundy.....actually I had already been considering moving this floating dock across the pond for a guest cabin because I discovered my first instinct was right and I just really prefer fixed docks. So this will push me to do that.

As far as what the answer is....yes longer poles are the easy answer, but roundy I was thinking over the weekend about possibly having removeable "Spring rain" poles that are mainly in place just for the Spring rains...and removed most of the time.

Here is floating dock with short poles before the break-away:

If you did it the way Roundy suggest, it would always be at the same height as your current pipe unless in flood stage. You would need some kind of plate or stop at the top of the new pipe for the dock to push up on. Should make for a very easy fix.

You could weld/attach pipe(pointing down) to the dock that would slide inside the pond pipe. This would give you more travel length and very little pipe sticking out of the water. Or just make it fixed and remove the floats. It won’t hurt the aluminum dock if it goes under water occasionally.

great ideas....thanks guys.

Mark, that's my initial thought as well. Just do as everybody suggested with a slightly smaller pipe inside the permanent pipe, and use them when needed.

Thanks Al.....

yes I wonder if something like this threaded insert....sized right....might work?

Are your existing pipes filled with concrete or anything else?

Beautiful setup you have Zep. Where did you get your dock? Or did you DIY it?

Cheers!

no sir....the four dock poles are not filled with concrete...the two larger pipes anchoring the ramp if memory serves me right do have some concrete down in the pipe.

thanks blavis....dock is from Hotwoods who make mini-pontoon boats, floating docks, and a few other products.

i am close to buying one of their mini-pontoon boats.

really good folks that make quality products

https://www.protatch.com/docks-walkways

Did you end up getting the 8x16? Is that big enough for 3-4 people to fish and lounge? What would you change?

Thanks.

If you made some 4-6' pipe with a 6" round plate welded to one end that would slide into your current pipe You should be fixed. Remove them or replace them back anytime. They could double as a drink stand

Yes blavis it is the Hotwoods 816 model floating dock...
with a custom extra wide walkway 5' wide X 16' long with no handrails
with powder-coat covert green color


I think it is good size...maybe depends on what type fishing...4 people casting lures might get dicey...minnow/bobber chairs no problem.


blavis Hotwoods makes a really a solid well built quality floating dock..i might add a swim ladder....but to be honest I really prefer fixed docks...I got a fixed dock after the floating dock and noticed we started spending most of our time on the fixed stable dock. It's really just a personal choice, but we just prefer fixed docks and usually don't have low water in the summer even during a drought and during rare high water I don't care if my fixed dock submerges for a few days as long as it stays in place. Here is our fixed dock or I guess pier.

unique dock...