How to Build a Basic Dock

Boat docks can be built in many sizes depending upon where they will be used and what type of floating craft will be attached to them. Docks can be a simple floating deck with lawn chairs for sunbathing, or a place to tether your seaplane. On some lakes, a dock will be anchored out in the water and used as a swim platform or a dance floor. Some even feature an elegant gazebo. In this article, we will build a standard 8-foot by 16-foot dock.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• • 5 pieces of treated lumber, 2-inch by 8-inch by 16-feet
• • 24 pieces of treated lumber, 1-inch by 8-inch by 8-feet
• • Stainless or galvanized screws
• • Corner brackets
• • Saw
• • Hammer
• • Drill driver
• • Square
• • Measuring tape
• • Plastic barrels
• • Nylon rope or stainless metal banding

How to Build a Basic Dock

1. 
    
   Framed docks ready for decking

   Build the framing for the dock. Arrange on the ground four pieces of the 2-inch by 8-inch by 16-foot treated lumber. Cut the remaining piece in half to form the two ends. Screw two of the long pieces to the two end pieces, forming a box. Space the other two long pieces on the inner part of the box and attach to the end pieces. Screw corner brackets to the four outer corners and set joist hangers for the inner cross supports. Turn the frame over. Measure from corner to corner, and square the frame.

2. 
    
   Eyebolt for corners

   Attach the 1-inch by 8-inch by 8-foot decking boards to the framing using stainless or galvanized deck screws. Use three screws at each end of the decking boards and into each of the cross supports. Turn the decked project over. Attach eyebolts into the framework, one at each corner.

3. Place the plastic barrels end to end in each section of the dock framework. Position the barrels with the bungs nearest the decking boards. Attach the nylon rope or the banding to the dock framework, and crisscross over each barrel forming an "X." Attach the other end of the rope tightly to the framing. Continue until all barrels are attached. Be sure to tighten the bungs in the barrels to keep them water tight. Turn dock over so that it is supported by the barrels. The dock is now ready to float. Tie the cables that will hold the dock in position to the eyebolts, and then to the anchor point on shore.

4. 
    
   Floating dock with gazebo

   If the dock is going to be free-floating out in the water, tie the anchor lines to the corner eyebolts and adjust until the dock remains in position. To lengthen the life of the dock, spray with a sealer once every season. Taking care of a dock requires the same methods as taking care of a deck at your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Get assistance to handle the finished dock as it will be heavy and a little difficult to handle. Load it onto a boat trailer to launch the finished dock, if possible.

References

• Floating gazebo

Resources

• Floating dock images