How to Make a Boat Dock
Boat docks serve many purposes. They serve the obvious purpose of providing a place to dock a boat. But they are also great partying, lounging or fishing areas. You want to build a boat dock that looks great but also can survive the elements. If you have basic carpentry skills, then it can be fairly easy to make a sturdy boat dock. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Decide if you want a floating or free-standing dock. Figure out how large you'd like your boat dock to be. The length of your landing area will depend on the depth of water. Shallow water will require a longer dock so that you'll have enough water available to safely dock your boat.
-
2
Figure out how much space you'd like for lounging and how much space you'd like for boarding. Plan your boat dock based on the information you've previously gathered. Draw up a plan based on your specifications or find a dock plan on the Internet or in a print book that will meet your needs.
-
-
3
Take your plans to the hardware store of your choice to help you get all the materials you need. The amount of materials will differ from dock to dock, but in order to make most boat docks, you will need 2-inch by 6-inch boards and 4-inch by 4-inch boards.
-
4
Construct the lounge area first. Lay out the supports and screw the boards along the supports. Use the same procedure for making the boarding part of your dock. Attach bumpers to the edges of the boarding part of your dock.
-
5
Position the large pieces of wood in the water according to the specifications outlined in your dock plan. This step is called driving your posts. These will be used to prevent your dock from moving around. Hire a professional to do this if you don't have the know-how.
-
6
Bring the lounge area and the boarding part of your dock into the water. Attach to the posts you've placed in the water. Build and secure a railing if your dock plan has one.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use eyebolts and screws to increase the strength of your boat dock when you make it.
Get help when making a boat dock. Once the pieces are attached, they can be very difficult to move on your own.
