Dock Ramp

The Ramp has been finished and waiting for the wind to drop and rain to stop.

Note the wildlife in the background.  At least they are not eating our flowers in this shot.

The ramp is connected to the fixed section with hinges and "floats" on the floating section.

DONE!!

Floating Dock Launch

How to get a floating dock into the water

The dock pieces were assembled on a special frame resting on log rollers

The slipway with log rollers

With a little nudging the dock is on the rollers and on the way

The frame under the dock protects the floats

With a little persuasion the dock rolls down the ramp

Almost there

In the water

We pulled the frame out from under the dock once it was floating free

We loaded two 125 lb concrete anchors for the ride over to the dock site

The anchors are set and attached to steel rods driven into the bottom.  Anchor chains attached and then the dock is connected to the first floating section with a hinge pin.  Now all we need is a ramp to connect the two floating sections to the fixed dock.

Floating Dock Section 1

Another Beautiful Day

We sunk two concrete anchors earlier in the day.

The floating section went into the water without any problem.  We still need to fine tune the position, but everything looks good.  Now for number 2.

Fire Pit

Stone fire pit in front lawn

The fire pit is made from local stone mounted on a stone base.

Dock Construction

Construction and Installation of the Floating Dock

We plan to build and install three dock sections this year.  The dock will consist of one fixed section (6' x 12') that will be mounted on the concrete base that was installed last year.  There will be two floating sections (6' x 12' each) connected by hinges and anchored off the fixed section.  A moveable ramp ( 3' x 5') will connect the fixed and floating sections.

Supplies:  You need a lot of Pressure Treated Lumber, 8 more bags of concrete, 8 floats, 300 + hot dipped galvanized (HDG) bolts in various sizes, a couple dozen HDG brackets, 50' galvanized chain,  20' rebar, 12' galvanized pipe, 600 deck screws (so far), 4 HDG deck cleats, 4 pipe mounts, 4 HDG leg pads etc., etc.

Floating Section 1:  Basic Frame (6' x 12') with female hinge sections attached 

Floating Section 1: Completed Frame with cross braces and all corner brackets and stiffeners installed.

  Floating Section 1:  Frame with floats in place (upside down of course)

We needed a crane to get the dock frame down to the water, but they sent us the wrong kind.

So we had to improvise.

Floating Dock Section 1: On B&J's ramp with floats mounted

Floating Dock Section 1: Decking complete and ready for the water.

Now all I have to do is repeat the process for the second floating dock section!

Each floating dock section gets two 50 kg anchors to hold them in place.  Pouring the concrete blocks in the wheelbarrow makes it a lot easier to get the 110 lb anchors to the water.  Each block is reinforced with rebar and connected to a section of galvanized chain.

While waiting for Home Depot to deliver the last two floats, I built the fixed dock section.

Fixed Dock Section:  Completed fixed dock section (4' x 12') with leg brackets attached.

Fixed Dock Section: installed on shore base that was completed last year.  This section is supported by the concrete and wood base on the beach and four 1.9" OD galvanized pipe sections with foot pads.  Still working on the decking.