Boat Docks

Next, if the body of water on which you're planning to build is under government jurisdiction (Army Corps. of Engineers for example), it will be necessary to explore their requirements, permitting costs, and if they will even allow the construction of a dock to begin with.

The answers to the previous questions may tell you what type of structure you'll need to build, meaning the presiding office may already specify the type of dock or materials permissible in your location. If not, then it's time to start planning again. The three most common dock styles for the residential or private use application are wood docks, either stationary or floating, aluminum docks, again either stationary or floating, or drive-on floating docks.

Some of these styles can be built and / or assembled by the Owner, and others require professional construction and installation.

To determine your specific needs, you'll need to look at the following:

• Number and type of boats or PWC's to be kept at the dock.
• Length of the current boat(s) and then consider future upgrade possibilities.
• Estimated weight of the craft to be secured to the dock.
• Is the water level relatively stable, or does it fluctuate significantly due to tidal movement or perhaps the body of water is a reservoir used for flood control?
• Is the proposed dock location subject to tidal or current flows, or is it subject to significant wind or wave exposure?
• How stable is the shoreline, and what will the dock anchoring requirements be.
• Will the docks stay in the water year-round, or will they need to be moved in and out on a seasonal basis?

Floating Boat Docks vs. Stationary Docks

Depending on the circumstances, there are times when a combination of both types is in order. Pilings to hold the docks from lateral movement, accompanied by float drums to allow for vertical movement.

In some cases, drive-on floating docks, or modular docks might be the ideal answer. Suitable for many, though not necessarily all applications, these are built by on-site assembly of individual floats, and can often be designed to be movable as well.

Wood Docks

When building wood docks, it is of paramount importance to use at a minimum "double dipped", galvanized fasteners, including through bolts where possible to hold hardware together, and screws to hold down the decking surface materials. In reality, the use of stainless steel fasteners and stainless steel screws is the ideal way to go. Though more expensive, they're also more durable, and resistant to the marine environment, as well as to the ACQ (alkaline copper quat) or copper azole chemical treatments now being used for treated lumber.

Depending on size requirements, wood docks are generally built in sections, and then assembled in place. When the sections are assembled, the most durable method includes the use of corner brackets, and stiffeners to keep the ever-moving wood from pulling back apart later on.

Aluminum Docks

Though more expensive, up front, aluminum docks are typically more durable, and require less (not to be confused with no) maintenance. On a sectional basis, they are generally lighter in weight than comparably sized wood docks, and therefore easier to move into and out of the water with seasonal changes if they are built as floating docks.

Boat Dock Supplies and Accessories

The following is a short, though not necessarily complete list for your consideration:

• Cleats or Rings to tie off the boat
• Edging
• Bumpers
• Fenders
• Lights
• Dock Box
• Boat Lift

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Aluminum Boat Dock Manufacturers

Truss and Wood Dock Kits / Manufacturers