Need to build a Dock

[CoFooter]

Guys, any plans/advice/instructions for building a simple dock using 55 gallon drums for flotation?

Thanks.

[6ballsisall]

Where do you boat? Just curious

[ski_king]

I built a simple one a couple of years ago.
6 ft. wide x 16 ft. long and a 3 ft. wide x 16 ft. long walkway.
I used a total of 10 ea. 55 gallon drums. I have wheels on it and a removable tounge and launch it like a boat and then remove the toung.
Mycost was about $300 not including the drums which were given to me.
My gallery has a photo of it in the water. I have more out of the water also.

[phecksel]

Guys, any plans/advice/instructions for building a simple dock using 55 gallon drums for flotation?

Thanks.
Ski clubs floater are 8' wide, 14' long, 2x6 stringers on 24" centers. Eight plastic barrels between the outboard stringer and next one in, with 2x6 cross brace to trap barrel longitudinally. Deck board is 5/4 board spaced 1-2 nails gap (balanced to not cut any boards).

[CoFooter]

Thanks, guys for the advice. Any tips on how to keep the thing stable. I've been on a few that are really unstable, and a few that are pretty solid. Must have something to do with the weight of the structure vs. the flotation. Do you guys put some water in the drums or anything else to stabilize the rig.

JRandol - I'm on a couple of private lakes in Northern Colorado both of which allow private docks.

Thanks guys.

[6ballsisall]

JRandol - I'm on a couple of private lakes in Northern Colorado both of which allow private docks.

Cool. Figured your username meant you were from Colorado just checking. Until 16 months ago I lived in Greeley for 17 years. Probably skied on some of the lakes you are on. The family has a membership to Empire Reservoir out by Wiggins, CO

[jimmer2880]

I can probably answer just about any question you ask on this subject. Although - not all answers will be correct. :)
Here is my baby I built a couple years ago. Growing up around these style docks - I have had my share of experiences.

[ski_king]

Jimmer, you have one of the nicest floating docks I have seen.
Do you have any photos on how you have your lift connected to the dock?

[CoFooter]

JRandol - I have a friend on Empire. Sounds like a great place. I'm on Pit 4, a barefoot club lake in Brighton, and Windsor Shores in Windsor.

Pete

[André]

Is that Windsor and Greeley near the Laku landing site ?

[east tx skier]

One tip I learned while helping build a very large dock/boathouse. Before you install the decking, using a staplegun and stainless staples, attach some tar paper to the top of the stringers, crossmembers, or any wooden part of the substructure. This will help prevent rot from water pooling.

[ski_king]

.... Any tips on how to keep the thing stable. I've been on a few that are really unstable, and a few that are pretty solid. Must have something to do with the weight of the structure vs. the flotation. Do you guys put some water in the drums or anything else to stabilize the rig....
I just try to keep the drums as close to the edge as possible and have had pretty good luck. My dock is only 6 ft. wide and have had 6 people all leaning on the railing on the same side and it is stable. I also use guide posts on the shore end which add some stability.
No water in the drums for me (at least not on purpose).

[CoFooter]

Hi Andre, not sure where Laku landing is other than it is in Windsor/Greeley area. I would think it is pretty close to this site.

[jimmer2880]

Jimmer, you have one of the nicest floating docks I have seen.
Do you have any photos on how you have your lift connected to the dock?

I have several construction photos. The lift is custom built (I weld, and have a friend who owns a steel shop).

But - it would be too much of a pain in the arse to shrink them all to post. If you send me your email - I'll email them out. Anyone else also.

My fingers are all 4' wide. Notice the orientation of my barrels. That enables me to get more barrels under the dock per foot. Where I'm at, we have a 18' wide x 24' long limit. All the rest of the lift docks in my club need to submerge 6-8 extra 55's under their 1st layer of barrels. I only need to sink 2 15's under each finger (total of 4 on the dock) to level it out.

The frame is all 2x10 construction. The barrel supports are 2x10's with an arc cut in them (the arc goes 4" into the 2x10) for each barrel. The arc'd 2x10's are anchored using joist hangers turned up-side-down - since the weight on those is pushing up, not down.

All the cables are run under the deck, so the dock isn't constantly trying to collapse with the boat lifted. The typical over-head style lifts are great for pilliar docks, but on a floating dock, they want to collapse the dock since they lift from the roof. After 10 years - it shows. I want mine to last 20 years. Our old dock is still floating after 25 (but, it didnt' have a lift).

Don't be wimpy on your corner brackets. Make them 1" smaller than your stringers. My stringers are 2x10 (actual size is 1.5x9). So - my brackets are 8" wide and I believe 10" on each leg. Raw stock size of 8x20 bent 90deg.

How much info do you want - I have plenty. Not all is good. But - I spent a couple years going over every detail of what I wanted and refused to compramise when at all possible.

[jimmer2880]

I should say that I have 31 55 gal drums and 4 - 15's to float the dock & boat. That should give you a rough starting point.

I believe I have a Autocad r13 drawing (3d - you have to do most of your own dimensioning), drawn to scale. It's yours if you want it.

[CoFooter]

Hey, Jimmer. Thanks for the info, especially on the building details. I'm just building a simple dock (platform, to be more specific), 8 x 10 or so, with no lift, and a walkway from shore. I've gotten a pretty good idea of the structural elements itself for your's and the other posts. What is still not clear to me is how many barrels do I need to keep it stable, but not bounce like a cork. I'm thinking a total of four, but probably will need some trial and error.

Thanks again, Pete

[k2mc]

I've seen large styrofoam blocks being used instead of barrels in some cases. The foam is easier to secure as it doesn't want to roll like a barrel does when its loaded on the edge. Foam also doesn't rust or sping a leak.

I doubt 4 barrels will give you a good stable dock without using a lot of framing materials (which adds too much weight). When you stand over one the other 3 may cause the dock to taco.

[ski_king]

The 6' x 16' size has worked good for me. I have built a couple of these now. This size has the length needed for a ski boat and is still narrow enough to haul if you need to change location.
I have hauled one of these in a standard 8 ft. bed pickup.

I put 4 barrrels on each side and 2 more in the center on the end that the walkway connects to.

Again, I will try to find pictures and post.

[jimmer2880]

With those dim's - I don't have much experience. I've done 3'x12' and big U docks, but nothing inbetween.

I will say that on teh 3x12 - barrels were absolutely out of the question - the floats were the ticket.

I'm sure it will take some trial & error. I would shoot for less than 1/2 the barrel out of the water. Also remember - all the barrel area above the stringer line is wasted. So keep them as low as possible. 4" works for me, but I have a much larger dock.

[k2mc]

[QUOTE=jimmer2880]Also remember - all the barrel area above the stringer line is wasted. So keep them as low as possible. /QUOTE]

Not sure I understand that one. Load bearing capability has to do with bouyancy and thus the amount of displaced water. How does that change with the barrel placement in the stringers? I would have guessed recessing the stringers was for stablility (prevently rolling barrels) only.

[ktn_cmu]

Hey, you guys with info/photos on your floating docks (jimmer), could you please email me at kyle_cmu@yahoo.com

I've been considering this project for a while as I have unlimited (well, come on, not 1000 or anything, but unlimited as far as my needs)access to free barrels. Thanks for your help. :)

Kyle

[jimmer2880]

[QUOTE=jimmer2880]Also remember - all the barrel area above the stringer line is wasted. So keep them as low as possible. /QUOTE]

Not sure I understand that one. Load bearing capability has to do with bouyancy and thus the amount of displaced water. How does that change with the barrel placement in the stringers? I would have guessed recessing the stringers was for stablility (prevently rolling barrels) only.

my point exactly. If the barrel is recessed into the stringer, since you dont' want your stringers getting wet - you'll never use that portion of the barrels.

Some of the folks around here end up recessing 1/3 the barrel. Then wonder why they need so many to make their dock float right.

1 more tip. cauk all your bongs. But - before you do, insert 1 valve stem into 1 bong per barrel & fill with 5-8 lbs of air. that amount of air will make the barrel bulge and does 2 things. First - when it hits the cold water, it won't collapse under the pressure and 2nd - if you wait for 2 weeks before putting them on your dock, you'll be able to tell if you have a leaker before you put your dock on the water just by looking at them.

[ski_king]

1 more tip. cauk all your bongs. But - before you do, insert 1 valve stem into 1 bong per barrel & fill with 5-8 lbs of air. that amount of air will make the barrel bulge and does 2 things. First - when it hits the cold water, it won't collapse under the pressure and 2nd - if you wait for 2 weeks before putting them on your dock, you'll be able to tell if you have a leaker before you put your dock on the water just by looking at them.

Thanks Jimmer, good idea!! But maybe needs reworded.

[k2mc]

[QUOTE=k2mc]

my point exactly. If the barrel is recessed into the stringer, since you dont' want your stringers getting wet - you'll never use that portion of the barrels.

ahh gottcha now. Thanks for the clarification.

Now, about my bongs...

[jimmer2880]

:uglyhamme DOH! Glad you knew what I ment.

Thanks Jimmer, good idea!! But maybe needs reworded.

[erkoehler]

It might be cool to see some pics of peoples lake frontage??? What do you think? Might give others some ideas. :D

[6ballsisall]

Hi Andre, not sure where Laku landing is other than it is in Windsor/Greeley area. I would think it is pretty close to this site.


Found it! Lived there for 18 years and not even sure I ever saw this place!

CoFooter, Which one is #4? I have skied on a couple of those lakes over there but not sure of the #.

Link to Laku:

http://www.laku.com/main.htm

[erkoehler]

Hey, looks like a pretty cool site!

[ski_king]

Here are a couple of photos of my small simple (cheap) floating dock.

[ski_king]

During one of the floods of 04

[ski_king]

Out of the water on wheels. The wheels stay on in the water.

My cost of dock not including drums was $300.00

[Leroy]

Jimmer and Powerslot, that is great information! Someday I hope to have a place on water and do this. Always like making my own if possible.

[jimmer2880]

Jimmer and Powerslot, that is great information! Someday I hope to have a place on water and do this. Always like making my own if possible.

I'd sell you mine - but I fear that the shipping charges would be rather steep at 18' wide! :eek:

[jimmer2880]

I just uploaded 4 pic's into my member gallery if anyone wants to see more build shots. :D

[MarkP]

Good shots Jimmer. That is a HeII of a dock you came up with. Its amazing that thing still floats;)

[BriEOD]

I agree, nice job Jim.

[Mag_Red]

I just uploaded 4 pic's into my member gallery if anyone wants to see more build shots. :D :worthy: You are The Man! I find it hard to believe you can actually drag that thing out of the water. So let me get this right..........you hook a truck up to this and just pull it out?? Doesn't it tear up the drums or the grass/ ground when you do this???:confused:

[jimmer2880]

First - thanks everyone for the kind words. I spent some time crunching numbers.

As far as pulling it out:

I figure it weighs between 8,000 & 9,000 lbs based on amount of bouyancy it takes to float it.

I built a trailer (still no pic's yet, sorry). So - I float it on the trailer, chain it fast & pull it out.

We use a 1/2 ton Avalanche, or 1/2 ton Suburban on a moderate grade ramp (1/7 pitch). If the ramp is dry, no problems. If it's wet, we've had to hook up another 4x4 to the front to get over some of the rougher spots as our ramp is in desperate need of repair. If the ramp was all smooth, it would be no problem.

Putting it in, same vehicles, 4x4 Low and emergency brake push in. So far - no problems. It sits on the trailer all winter.

Many docks around me have wheels also. They're even easier to put in & out with the exception of when the river is high with strong currents. Then, getting the dock tongue hooked to the truck can be an experience. Also, I believe wheels are harder on a dock than setting on a trailer. Those 2 reasons are the only reasons why I went with a trailer. However - If I were to do it again - I would think harder about wheels & try to overcome the tongue hookup problem.

[erkoehler]

Sounds like either way you did a great job!

[CoFooter]

JRandol,

Pit 4 is west of 85 about 2 miles right next to the river and just south of the toll road. You can see it from the toll road. If you don't foot, chances are you haven't been there. It's a footers lake, primarily.

[ktn_cmu]

Here are a couple of photos of my small simple (cheap) floating dock.

How do you keep your dock from yawing? I mean, how do you keep it straight?

[ski_king]

How do you keep your dock from yawing? I mean, how do you keep it straight?

I drive guide poles into the river bottom on the shore end of the dock. I also drive a pole in to hold the walkway from moving. The first photo shows one of the 2 poles.

The second photos shows the dock during a flood. The dock floated up off of the posts and a backup rope is holding it in place. That photo shows the river 8 ft. above normal pool.

You can also use cables tied off to shore to hold in place. I see Jimmer uses those. I have seen anchors used also.
For me the guide pole woork the best. I guess it depends on conditions with wind, current and changing water levels.

[jimmer2880]

for us, poles in the river bottom would never stay put as the bedrock is only 3-4 feet below the top of the soft river ick - I mean sand.... Then there's the Ice. Vertical things dont' tend to stay that way when the river gets fill up with 6' thick chunks of ice (I'm not kidding).

So - for us, we use 2 cables on the up-river side. One on the near corner, and one close to the far corner. Then, 1 cable on the down-river near corner. I use the big screw-in type anchors that the power companies use for their poles (I have no idea how they showed up on my property one morning :cool: ). I run my cables to the bank, through an eye that's at the same vertical height as my catwalk, then up to one at the top of my steps at the top of the bank. Theory is - that by being at the catwalk height - they never need adjusted when the water raises or lowers. However, they run to the top of the bank so I can un-hook them if the water gets beyond 20' above normal. By then I always have 3 "flood ropes/cables" attached to my dock to take the additional strain.

My catwalk just lays in a cradle at the bank-side. The cables keep it from falling out. That way - when the water gets up beyond the length of the catwalk (20' for me) - the catwalk just un-hooks and nothing gets broken (much).

[erkoehler]

Sounds like a pretty slick setup.

[jimmer2880]

Thanks. I'm not trying to brag, just trying to share my experiences. Trust me - I've done my share of changes that just didn't work.

[Mag_Red]

Now why didn't I think that you floated it on a trailer???? :uglyhamme Damned, I can be soooooooooo stupid sometimes :D

[atlfootr]

That's pretty cool to ski how Laku landing "Ski-Lake" is built ... :cool: