How to Build a Swimming Dock
A swimming dock is a great add-on to any pond or lake. You can build one yourself inexpensively with items from local hardware or garden stores. Considerations include size of the dock and budget limitations. The main expense in building a dock is float barrels; the bigger the platform, the more that are required. Float barrels, too, can be found at garden or hardware stores. Invest in a covering like artificial turf to protect your wood dock. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2-x-4 weather-treated wood
- 2-x-6 weather-treated wood
- Weather-treated screws
- Saw
- Float barrels
- Artificial turf
Instructions
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1
Determine how big your dock should be. Consider 6 feet by 6 feet, which allows enough room for several people while keeping the dock from being too far into the water or pulling too far out when someone climbs on. Make a smaller or bigger dock depending on available space.
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2
Cut your wood. Measurements will vary depending on size of the dock. Cut 25 pieces of two-by-four and four 6 1/2-foot pieces of two-by-six if doing the standard 6-by-6 dock.
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3
Assemble the two-by-sixes to form a square with the 2-inch side resting on the ground. Use two of the two-by-fours to brace your square by putting them across the center. Screw all pieces together using weather-treated screws since the dock will be in the water.
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4
Screw the two-by-fours into the square frame. Place them side by side, with the widest side facing upward. Make sure they are screwed to both the square frame and support underneath.
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5
Roll artificial turf onto the newly constructed dock and attach with screws. Make sure the turf is pulled taut before attaching to avoid wrinkles that can cause people to trip.
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6
Place the dock on top of the wooden floating barrels that you place in the water. Tether them together if you like, but the dock will keep the barrels in place and the barrels will keep the wood afloat.
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Tips & Warnings
Considering tethering the dock to a post or other stationary object on the shore.
Tie barrels together if you want to make sure not lose any. However, it is not necessary.
Remember that wood docks are not completely stable and swing and rock in water. Wear a life vest if you do not know how to swim.
