How to Build a Dock

The greatest way to enjoy waterfront living is to sit out on your dock. Whether you want to just enjoy the water, park your boat or have a nice fishing spot, a dock is a perfect addition to your outdoor space.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Deck bumper
• Ladder
• Treated lumber
• Steel screws and fasteners
• Cordless drill
• Dock stringer
• Circular saw

Design Your Dock

1. Take a water depth measurement.

2. Find out what the bottom conditions are like. This will determine the method needed for driving support posts for the dock.

3. Plan your dock. You can download plans from the Internet (see Resources below), modify deck plans to turn it into a dock or have an architect draw custom plans.

4. Bring your plans to the building center near you. Get treated lumber and stainless fasteners for your dock. Most building centers can assist you in figuring out the supplies you will need.

Construct Your Dock

1. Get at least one other person to help you. Drive your support posts. The support posts should be no further apart than 8 feet. A boat or barge is very useful in this step, especially if you are working in deep water. In shallow water, you can use a ladder for this step.

2. Attach the stringers with stainless bolts and/or screws. Put the stringers at a level that will accommodate high water levels if you have changing levels during flood seasons.

3. Attach the decking to the stringer boards. Leave at least a 1/4" space between decking boards to allow water from rain to drain through the dock. Cut decking boards to fit around the support posts.

4. Attach bumpers to the outside edge of the dock. Depending on the type of bumper you choose, it may have a lip that goes over the edge of the dock. The bumper will protect boats parked next to the dock and dress the edge of the dock.

5. Attach the railing if your design calls for a handrail. Secure the railing so that it can take the weight of someone leaning on it.

6. Install any other accessories you choose. Things like lockable dock boxes and benches help you enjoy your new dock.

Tips & Warnings

• There are two main types of docks: standing docks and floating docks. Generally, unless you specify a floating dock, building a dock assumes construction of a standing dock.

• Building a dock is exactly like building a deck, except it's over water. When searching for dock plans, you can also use deck plans; just remember to use longer support posts to have enough length to drive the posts into the bottom.

• When designing or choosing a dock, a typical width of the walk-out (a finger) is 4 feet.

• You may want to consider having a professional service drive your support posts for your dock, especially if you have deep water or high boat traffic on the waterway.

• Always wear a life vest when working on or near the water.

Resources

• Website for marine grade construction supplies and dock plans.