Things You'll Need:
- 4 2-by-8-inch-by-8-foot pressure-treated boards
- 7 2-by-4-inch-by-8-foot pressure-treated boards
- 17 1-by-6-inch-by-8-foot pressure-treated boards
- 4 4-by-4-inch pressure-treated posts
- 4 55-gallon plastic drums
- 100-feet waterproof nylon rope
- 18 woodscrew eyehooks
- 20 "L" braces
- Galvanized 3-inch woodscrews
- Galvanized 10-penny nails
- Electric drill
- Electric screwdriver
- Hammer
- Silicone caulk
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Step 1
Arrange the four 2-by-8-inch-by-8-foot boards in a square to form the outer frame of the floating dock. Drill three starter holes on each corner near the ends of the boards and screw the boards together to make an 8-by-8-foot-4-inch outer frame.
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Step 2
Remove the plugs from the drums and coat the threads with silicone caulk. Screw the plugs back into the drums and tighten as tight as possible. Smear another coat of caulk around the outside of the plugs.
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Step 3
Lay a 2-by-4-inch-by-8-foot board across the middle of the 8-foot side of the frame. Drill two starter holes on each side of the outside of the frame and screw the 2-by-4 into place. Place a second 2-by-4 parallel to the first, 2 feet in from the frame and screw in place. Repeat by placing a third 2-by-4 on the other side of the first one, 2 feet in from the other side of the frame, and screw into place. Add 2-by-4s on each side, 1 foot in from the sides of the frame.
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Step 4
Set two drums between the first and second 2-by-4s. Place a new 2-by-4 next to the ends of the drums so it fits firmly against the ends. Screw the 2-by-4 in place and repeat on the other side. Stabilize the frame by screwing the 4-by-4 posts into place in each of the corners of the frame. Screw an "L" brace at each intersection of 2-by-4s. Screw four eyehooks into the support 2-by-4s, two eyehooks on each side of each drum.
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Step 5
Tie each drum into place by knotting one end of a waterproof nylon rope into an eyehook and wrapping the rope over the drum and through the eyehook on the opposite side. Then run the rope diagonally over the drum through the empty eyehook on the other side and then over the drum to the last eyehook. Tie the rope securely and cut. Repeat this process for the remaining drums. Turn the dock over so the drums are on the underside.
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Step 6
Begin laying the deck by placing the first 1-by-6 flush with the edge and perpendicular to the drums, and then nail into place. Use two nails at each cross support. Repeat laying each board of the deck until the entire floor of the dock is finished. Screw the two remaining eyehooks onto the outside of the frame for towropes.
