Everything You Need to Build a Boat Dock

So you own one of the 12 million registered boats in America and now you've got a house on the water. You're living the dream! But you're missing one thing...

You don't have a boat dock. You can tow your boat down to the local marina and cast off there, but you're tired of wasting precious boating minutes hitching your boat and taking it down the road.

It's time to build your own boat dock. Where do you start? First, you need to decide on dimensions, which will vary depending on the size of your property and the size of your boat.

Next, you need to get together all the proper materials. That's where we come in! Read on to learn more about what materials you'll need to build yourself a boat dock.

Stationary or Floating?

There are two main types of boat docks that you'll need to choose from. Stationary docks are permanent structures that are secured to the lake bed with concrete or woodpiles. Floating docks are, you guessed it, floating!

Stationary docks are often more stable and solid than floating docks, but that doesn't always mean that they're the better option.

If the lake bed is rocky or uneven, crafting your piles and driving them into the ground will be much trickier. If your water levels fluctuate heavily, there will be times that you'll encounter a large drop from your boat dock to your boat. Stationary docks may also be problematic in areas with freezing winters, as icy lakes can damage the piles and the deck.

Floating docks are designed to rise and fall with the changing water levels. They can also be detached and stored for the cold season if necessary. Plus, they're a lot easier to build on your own, rather than calling in a professional.

For that reason, we're going to focus on what you'll need to build a floating dock.

The Main Components of a Floating Boat Dock

When building a floating dock, there are three main components that you will need to assemble. You will need a frame, floats, and a deck. The size and amount of materials you need will depend on the size of your deck.

Floats can be found in about 40 different sizes depending on your needs. If your dock is going to be constructed with unusual dimensions, you can also have floats custom-made. Floats are going to made of either plastic, polystyrene, or fiber-reinforced cement.

The frame and decking can be constructed of the same material, although they should be assembled separately. The frame needs to fit over the floats without leaving too much room for movement. However, you want to be able to remove the floats from the frame so that you can easily clean or repair the frame as needed.

Frames and decking are usually made of wood, composites, or aluminum. You might also consider using advanced composites in the construction in order to create a high-strength lightweight structure that will be both durable and long-lasting.

We recommend using pressure-treated wood, although there are some drawbacks.

Pressure-treated wood can swell from moisture and shrink from overexposure to the sun and heat. If this cycle continues over the years, you may find that your deck is beginning to warp.

Why not use composites or aluminum, then? Both composites and aluminum can become very hot to the touch on sunny days and slippery when wet. Although pressure-treated wood may have issues over a long period of time, it is safer to walk on and kinder to the bare-footed.

The Accessories

There are a few accessories you'll need to install along the sides of your dock to dock and protect your boat.

For starters, you're going to need to install a few cleats along the side of the deck to tie up your boat when it's docked. The best cleats will be made of galvanized iron, which is resistant to corrosion.

You're also going to need dock lines. Unless you plan to keep your boat tied up at this dock regularly, transient dock lines will do. Dock lines should be made of nylon because nylon has enough elasticity to stretch when the boat is pulled by the water.

Finally, to protect your boat from scratching up against the edge of the dock, you will need to install bumpers. You can find dock bumpers pre-made, but to ensure that they're the right size and fit, it's a good idea to use semi-rigid casting resins and a mold.

If you do decide to dock your boat permanently here, you can also use this casting resin to reinforce your dock lines. This will help prevent chaffing where your boat rubs against the lines over time.

The Tools

The tools you need will vary based on the design and materials you use to build your boat dock, but there are some that just about any builder will need.

You will need a hammer or nail gun, a drill, and an impact or socket wrench. If you don't purchase your wood pre-cut to the size you need, you will also need a chop saw. (It's not a bad idea to have one of these handy even if your wood is pre-cut, because you may have to correct minor mistakes.)

It's not impossible to build a dock using hand tools, but it's easier to use power tools. If you are experienced and comfortable with power tools, opt for those.

You'll also need bolt sets, which include bolts and washers, and stainless steel dock nails. And, of course, you'll need a tape measure, chalk line, square, and C-clamps.

Get Building and Boating

Building a boat dock may seem intimidating, but hopefully going over the list of materials you need has shown you that it's not so bad! Once you've assembled everything, you just need a little know-how, some time, and some patience. You'll be finished with your boat dock and ready to set out on the water in no time!

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