Okay so I bought some floats from Menard's and would like to build a 6x10 . Could I possibly connect it to shore with two poles that the dock could fluctuate(slide) up and down with water levels. Then place the floats towards the end of the dock?
Or is it best to make little walkway dock to your big dock?
I built this 16X16 with one full lift of 2X6 with 25 sticks left over. I used 12 barrels and wish I had listened to the folks on here. This was my first time building a floater and I should have filled my barrels 1/3rd full of water. I would have had a better float height and more stable. I am to lazy to change it now.
I anchored the dock with a pulley system and it works great. Added in some lights and it is our new home out side.
Well bought two more floats last night and hopefully get this project rolling this weekend. What do you guys recommend? Build the frame and floats in garage and carry it on then. Then attach decking on in water or build the whole thing right by the shore? Seems like the thing would weigh a ton!
I flipped a completed 12x12 dock , but had 4 people to do it. Flipping a 6x10 should be less difficult. I used all the Menard's floats that I could fit under the dock, and have not moved it since I intalled it 10 years ago. It's held up great so far. The wood has been re-sealed once about 4 years ago. I favor a gangway. I intalled chains in an "X" pattern (under the gangway) to a fixed dock and used turnbuckles to tighten up the chains and limit swing.
For sure build the components in the garage providing you have enough space. It provides a level spot and good starting point to make sure everything is square starting off.
Well bought two more floats last night and hopefully get this project rolling this weekend. What do you guys recommend? Build the frame and floats in garage and carry it on then. Then attach decking on in water or build the whole thing right by the shore? Seems like the thing would weigh a ton!
Depending on the size. The 16X16 part you see above was built right on shore with no barrels under her. Then lifted and set on fence posts so I could roll it into the pond. Once 50/50 I pushed down with my loader from shore so the boys could put the first row of barrels under the framing. Lifted the loader slow so the barrels would catch into their spots. I then chained the end that is still on shore to the loader right in the center. Lifted way up so the framing was floating on the first row of barrels and off the ground then drove to the edge of the pond. Lowering the dock with each row of barrels till all the barrels were in. Then decked the dock last.
The gang way we built in the shop and four of us just carried it out. Bolted on the dock hardware then decked the dock after she was floating.
Thanks for all the input! We got it completed this weekend. It looks really good but maybe adding onto it next year. It seemed huge building it but then putting it in the pond made it feel very tiny. Looks great though and works great! It was an awesome father and son project, it was one of the very few that went without a hiccup.
I was surprised laying on the dock and watching all the baby fish we have. I even started grinding up food sprinkling it in and watching them eat it.
First dock I did with barrels with no foam...that unit is sitting on the bank and I'll give to my brother. Cant seem to keep the darn bung plugs from weathering and cracking. Lasted 1 season...
Second dock, I built from scratch on unfilled pond and it is built on stilts....love that one.
This one was easiest...
Mother in law hada 24' pontoon she didnt' want. I removed all furniture, kept the bimini top and anchored it in the pond. Son in law, grand daughter and I christener her the Minnow-Tannic yesterday. Hottest weather all year, and the water was fantastic.
Last edited by Matt Clark; 08/26/1303:26 PM.
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