Dad and I installed 2 docks during the winter. We used galvanized 2" dia pipe for the verticals. He had scrounged some cross piece brackets that bolted to the vertical pipe and allowed a 2" pipe to be placed horizontally and we drilled a hole through the bracket/pipe and dropped a 16 penny nail in it to stop the horizontal pipe from walking out.

We first used a sledge hammer then got smarter and hooked up a water pump. Screwed a fitting on top of the pipe, connected up the pump and washed the sand/gravel out of the way from the pipe. We found out that we had to stop 2'-3' from finished height and pound it down the rest of the way or else it'd sink on it's own.

The pipes held up for way longer than expected, 40+ years.

Then just lay the joists on the horizontal pipes and start building the deck. You can put a joist that is 2" taller on the outside of the pier to overlap the horizontal pipe if you don't want to see it.

We also used the same system to install a permanent boat lift. We used 2" vertical pipe that was at least 12, if not 15 feet long. Washed it in, pounded the last few feet. Slipped larger pipe over that and used pipe fittings on that to make the horizontal connections. That is still in the water, and it was installed in the late 1970's.

Last edited by esshup; 01/17/22 06:03 PM. Reason: added boat hoist info.
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