How to Build a Floating Dock With Plastic Barrels

How to Build a Floating Dock With Plastic Barrels

There are several ways to build a floating dock, and one of the most affordable is to use plastic barrels. You can buy the barrels in different shapes and sizes and have them shipped to your house. They also make great outdoor furniture, and you can customize them to fit any area of your backyard. To begin, you will need two large, twox4 pieces of lumber and screw them into the support beams. You will need to leave a space of one eighth inch between the boards, as this will prevent them from warping when they get wet. Then, you'll need to nail in the rest of the board structure.

Before you can start building, you need to prepare the wooden frame. A 6-foot square deck frame made of treated wood will hold up your barrels and will provide the main flotation for your floating dock. To attach the barrels to the deck, you'll need to use three 3'' chemical coated deck screws. You'll need to place one of the drums under the deck. Once the wood frame is ready, you'll need to attach two 6-inch strap hinges to the ends of each board. This will prevent the barrels from sliding and will help keep them in place even when the water is rough.

You will need a 55-gallon plastic drum to provide the main flotation for your floating dock. You will want to be sure it is inflated before putting it in the water. You can add ballast water to the barrels to give them more stability, especially if you plan to place your dock in a large body of water. You can also use an inflatable mattress to cushion the bottom of the floating dock.

When you're ready to install the barrels, make sure to attach the eye bolts at both ends of each section. Then, place the barrels in the cradles. You can use polypropylene rope to tie them down. To do this, simply tie a knot around the nearest eye bolt. A rope should hold the entire piece of dock together. You can then slide it onto the water.

Another way to build a floating dock is to use 55-gallon blue barrels. These are the most stable way to build a floating dock. You can paddle out to the water and set it up anywhere you want. The best part about building your own floating dock is that it's a relatively inexpensive and easy project. You can buy the barrels for about ten dollars each, but using plastic ones is the most economical option.

How to Build a Floating Dock With Plastic Barrels PDF