If Your Dock Is Permanently Installed:
Crib docks are mounted on large, heavy underwater timber cribs, usually filled with stones or concrete. They cant be removed, so that leaves only two winterizing options: withstand the ice or keep it away. Pile docks cant be removed, either. Theyre mounted on steel, concrete or treated wood-posts or piles, driven deep into the lakebed.
If you dont get a lot of ice where you live or your dock is exceptionally beefy, you may not need to do anything. Where I live in Northern Ontario, Canada, we regularly get winter temperatures down to -4 F or colder. That means plenty of ice. Still, I know of one or two crib docks that have been around for years and appear no worse for the wear.
If youre concerned the ice will damage your crib or pile dock, consider investing in an electric de-icing tool, which keeps water moving just enough to stop ice from forming. These devices are the best way I know to protect your dock in an ice-forming lake.
Build A Diy Boat Dock
When we were at my parents house for Christmas, my brothers and Jed worked together to build a DIY boat dock for the backyard. My parents live on a small lake, and for my entire life weve launched the canoes and fishing boats off the muddy shore or a sad little log. Those days are over, my friends. The boys teamed up after my brother Matt came up with the idea, and made it happen. Matt was kind enough to write out the plan so you can make your own DIY boat dock if youre so inclined. Thanks Matt!
Uncle Matts DIY Boat Dock Guide
Supplies needed:
Tools needed:
- Pick ax
- 1/2 wrench
STEP 1 Preparation of concrete bases for the frame.
Step 2 Framing
Quality Stock Quality Dock
Our Kit Dock series is backed up by our exclusive 5 year warranty. We use the finest aluminum stock around and pour our blood sweat and tears into every single section. You can rest assured that this the best value on the market for your dollar. We never cut corners, literally and figuratively, thats why were proud of every dock that rolls out. We guaranteed it.
Don’t Miss: How Much Psi To Pressure Wash Boat
Determining Your Dock Needs
You need to consider several different factors when determining your dock needs. There are several different types of docks and several material choices. Where you plan to put your dock is another important factor, as things like tides or bottom condition can help determine the best type of dock for your waterfront area. Each different docking system offers benefits however, certain structures will align with specific needs better than others
Though there are many varieties of docks, each of them can be placed in one of two categories: removable docks and permanent docks. Permanent docks are self-explanatory they are installed securely into the ground and the structure is intended to remain there permanently. Removable docks are typically intended to be semi-permanent and can be expanded, reconfigured or removed if necessary. The first step is to ask a few questions about your particular location and needs when choosing a dock type.
Attaching Inside Dock Hardware And Decking Wood Floating Dock

Once floats are secured, you will need 2-4 strong persons to flip the floating dock over or if you have a tractor like Bruce, you may be able to flip it over by yourself.Position angles and secure with 5/16 x 1 ½ lag bolt sets using impact wrench or socket ratchet. . NOTE: Alternate positioning of angles may be appropriate for your situation. In such case, alternateplacement of angles should accommodate anticipated high stress areas. Deck boards can now be nailed to the frame at this point. . Once decking is complete, additional trimming of edges with skill or chop saw may be necessary to even edges. Once construction is complete, push floating dock into water and secure to appropriate pilings or poles using connecting hardware.If using hinge sets to adjoin floating dock sections, mark placement with a pencil prior to putting docks in the water to assure appropriate alignment of male and female connectors. Secure corresponding male and female connectors with ½ x 2 SS lag bolt sets using impact wrench or socket ratchet. Once floating docks are placed in water, align floating docks and secure hinge sets with connector pins provided.If using piling hoops or other connecting hardware,position floating dock in the water along side the appropriate piling, etc.,prior to securing hardware. Once appropriate placement of floating dock is obtained, secure piling hoops and/or connecting hardware with ½ x 2 SS lag bolt sets provided.
Read Also: What Battery For My Boat
Build A Private Dock Inexpensively And Safely
A private dock can be a great way to enjoy your waterfront property or mountain lake retreat. Your dock can be a place to store your boat, go fishing, dive or relax and enjoy the view. While building an entire dock may seem overwhelming, break it down into smaller projects to make the work more manageable.
Plan Your Dock
There are several types of docks you can build, but there are two very basic versions. The first is a stationary dock that is used in places where there isn’t any ice buildup during the winter months. The other is a type of floating dock that can be removed after the summer season. Choose which type of dock best fits your needs and climate.Next, measure the depth of the water to determine how you will support the dock. If the ground is stable enough, you can drive posts directly into it. Most times, you will need to build concrete piers to support the posts.
Build Piers
Using pieces of lumber, build a basic form that is 2 feet-by-2 feet. Pour concrete into the form and after it hardens a little, use a bracket to install a metal rod to which you can fasten the dock. You will need to create several of these depending on how long your dock is. Figure on two for every 6 to 8 feet.
Locate Piers
Level out the ground under the water where you want to place the piers. Make sure the piers are evenly spaced and that the metal rods are tall enough to stick out of the water a few feet.
Build Dock Frame
Attach to Posts in Water
Paint and Enjoy
Step : Cut Lumber And Build Frame For Wood Floating Dock
Assembly all necessary tools and materials required.
Using chop saw or skill saw, cut all lumber to appropriate lengths per material list for construction of a 10 x 12 floating dock.
Construct frame for floating dock using end stringers and side stringers . Cross Stringers to be placed 2 foot on center to support frame. Square frame by cross measuring. Secure framing with nails using hammer or nail gun. to assure accurate length of 12 for the frame.) Otherwise, the frame will measure 12 and 3 long, which is okayyou wont need additional floats or hardware but may need an additional deck board.) If using composite board, stringers are to be placed 18 on center.
Insert inside corners in each corner of the frame centered vertically. Using impact wrench or socket ratchet, secure with 5/16 x 1 ½ lag bolt sets
Also Check: How Much Is Freedom Boat Club Cost
Do It Yourself Boat Dock Plans
Fun With Drums Barrel Float Technology |
Own boat dock, boat dock, wood dock, dock kit, do it yourself dock |
Do+It+Your+Self+Patio+Plans patio-plans-do-it-yourself-patio |
PDF River Dock Ideas kayak building plans free » boat4plans diypdf |
PDF Baby Boat Cradle Plans free cradle boat plans |
Wooden boat plans 8×10 Here ~ Seen Boat plan |
About Dock Photos Mtgimageorg
Design and build your own boat dock reasons to say no diy docks ez diy plankway r kit polydock s lakefront cabin boat dock and
Diy mini pontoon boat kit pond king inc how to work around dock restrictions at your lake home this diy er found a boat he liked in the popsci archives then built it top 10 floating dock construction design plan hiseadock design and build your own boat dock plans helpful lines
Don’t Miss: How Much To Join Boat Club
Introduction: Build Your Own Floating Dock
My friend Bruce built this wood floating dock from a floating dock kit by www.dockaccents.com. It was easy to build and he saved a lot of money doing it himself. Now he has easier access to the water from his standing dock and can use the floating dock for swimming, launching kayaks, canoes or accessing his boat.
Tools Required: Hammer or Nail Gun, Impact Wrench or Socket Ratchet, Measuring Tape, Pencil, Square, Chop Saw or Skill Saw, Drill if needed.
Materials Required:
9 Dock Floats Polyflanged foam filled floats.
4 Inside Corners Galvanized Heavy-duty
6 Angles
110 SS 5/16 x 1 ½ lag bolt sets
LUMBER:
2 2 x 6 x 12 Side Stringers
7 2 x 6 x 10 – for Float Supports
4 2 x 6 x 12 Cross Stringers
2 2 x 6 x 10 End Stringers
Pressure-treated Lumber For Decking
27 2 x 6 x 10 Decking Boards OR
20 2 x 8 x 10 Decking Boards
Nails 5-10 lbs #16 Penny Ring Shank Nails or your choice.
Diy Floating Boat Dock Using Sikabond Construction Adhesive
For my floating dock I decided to use SikaBond Construction Adhesive to reinforce each plank prior to screwing them down. This flexible adhesive will create a watertight seal and prevent any excess water from seeping between the boards that would normally cause them to lift over time from weathering.
Also Check: How To Remove Mold From Boat Seats
Step : Placing Dock Floats On Frame For Wood Floating Dock
. Place support boards for floats on top of frame so that the floats will have a left edge, center and right edge support for mounting. These boards should be running perpendicular to stringers and spaced so that there is 1 board at each end of the float and 1 board in the center so flanged edge of float can be mounted.
Secure support boards with nails using hammer or nail gun. Place floats per float placement in diagram on the support boards. Using impact wrench or socket ratchet, secure each float to the support boards using 5/16 x 1 ½ lag bolt sets: .
Do It Yourself Dock Kit

At Richardson Docks we offer an exclusive Do it Yourself dock kit. The Kit includes the correct number of floats for the size you want to build with all the attaching nuts and bolts to complete the project. Dont forget to watch the video and read the steps required to complete your dock or raft. We can also supply all the other peripherals you may need depending on the scope of the job.
If you would like some hints and tips on how to build your Dock or Raft always feel free to call us.
The Do it Yourself Dock Kit Includes
- Pontoon Floats (2 floats for 6ft wide, 3 floats for 8ft wide, 4 floats for 10ft wide
- Corner Brackets & Back Plates ( four 8 x 8 x 5 x1/4 steel corner brackets and eight 5 x 5 x 1/4 back plates
- 1/2 x 3 Galvanized Carriage Bolts, Nuts and Lock Washers
- Anchor Chain Brackets
- Swim Ladder
- Solar Lights.
- Side Bumpers
- Corner Bumpers
Read Also: Is The Freedom Boat Club Worth It
Additional Benefits Of A Floating Boat Lift System
As boats float close together and near pier structures, small electrical currents are produced between the various types of metals. This galvanic process, referred to as electrolysis, can cause pitting to your boats underwater metal components, such as the rudder, outdrive and propeller. Jet Dock’s line of floating boat dock products was designed to eliminate this type of corrosive damage!
Corrosion prevention is one of the main benefits of our floating boat lifts and docking systems. Other watercraft are subjected to the corrosiveness of maritime environments, which leads to staining on the hull. In addition, substantial amounts of algae, moss and muck all degrade the overall performance of the watercraft. But with a Jet Dock floating boat lift system, gone are the days of expensive, time-consuming hauling of your craft in and out of the water for cleaning and repainting! It’s not difficult to spot the difference between boats that are stored on our floating boat lifts and those that sit in the water full-time.
An additional benefit of our drive-on boat lift is the prevention of impact damage caused by storm waves and wakes. No more rubbing against the dock. Not only will our product protect your boat, but also the mooring structures nearby.
Discover why boaters appreciate our floating boat lift system and what makes our floating boat docks far superior to the competition. Learn more by reading our Boat Lift FAQ page and Knowledge Center resource articles.
Events Taking Place Across Northern Lincolnshire This Weekendyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
From cinema classics with a twist, to comedians and street food, there are some great events taking place in northern Lincolnshire. We’ve taken a look at some cracking events that are taking place across northern Lincolnshire this weekend as we gradually return to ‘normal’ life.
Grimsby Telegraph
Read Also: Does Minnesota Require Boat Insurance
Dont Skimp On Crib Dock Timbers
Crib docks are an extremely solid, permanent dock design requiring little or no maintenance once theyre in the water. Made by setting thick timber crates or cribs in the water, filling them with heavy stones, then building the dock structure on top, crib style docks are a mainstay for anglers and boaters interested in hitching their vessels to something secure and fairly permanent. Trouble is, its easy to build the all-important cribs the wrong way, leading to premature failure.
Avoid this by using thick, pressure-treated beams for the underwater portion of your crib dock. Go with timbers at least 6×6 inches. Dont forget to cover the crib bottoms in lumber, so the rocks wont slowly sink into the lake bottom. Before building, double check that your community doesnt prohibit use of pressured treated lumber in local lakes.
Build A Wood Boat Dock In 5 Steps
- Written by Garry Steck on Oct 17, 2009To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by H.R. Helm on Dec 10, 2019
Boat docks, whether built on a river bank or lake shore, can be an ideal place to moor a boat, a place for fishing, for sunbathing, or for throwing a swim party. To build a wood boat dock, just follow the 5 steps outlined below.
Step 1 – Determine Your Dock Size
You will need to determine your dock’s length and width, along with the depth of the water in which you will build your dock. The length will depend on the distance out into the water you’ll need the dock to extend, and the water’s depth will tell you how long your pilings are to be cut. Finally, you’ll want to know the size of the deck area you’ll want for fishing, lounging, and for boarding boats that will be moored there.
Step 2 – Build Your Dock
Once you have determined your dock length and width, collect the lumber you’ll need, then begin building your deck. Length of the pilings should be 2′ plus the water’s depth, plus the length of the piling that will be sunk into the lake bed. Material you’ll need will include:
- 4×4 pieces for deck surface, vertical posts, and for pilings you’ll drive into the lake bed
- 2×4 pieces for deck railing and deck base
- 2×6 planks for deck surface
Also Check: What Does Boat Storage Cost
Do It Yourself Dredging
Showing the force of the pump
The DIY-Dredger has been sold in the Nordic Countries for many years and there are now more than 1500 happy owners all over the world. The DIY-Dredge is a compact, highly portable, gasoline engine powered, sediment removal pumping system. It is designed to provide the homeowner and contractors with the ability to excavate and transfer unwanted sediment. The Dredge is an efficient alternative to using an excavator, which is expensive, has limited reach, may be destructive to the shore, and typically deposits the material adjacent to the shore, only to wash back in with the first good rain. It also works well as a fire pump. We also have a special model designed for gold prospecting.
The principle of suction dredging
Showing how it works
The unique design of the DIY-Dredge allows you to hover the pump over the bottom which makes it very efficient. The centrifugal pump is equipped with a mill that effectively grinds down the roots of reeds and other seaweeds. The silt mixture of mud and weed is excellent for the garden etc.
See a customer dredging sand here
They moved about 60 cubicmeter sand from the boathouse
Interested in a mini digger? Check it out at www.elgoplus.com