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From dock repairs and piling protection to how to safe near the water, Deep South has the insight and expertise you need.

Plan for Building a Boathouse in 2017

12/28/2016

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​A boathouse should be just that – a place your boat can call home. Many people spend a fortune on a nice boat, only to store it in their driveway or front yard. A boathouse should offer as much protection as it does convenience, and when built the right way, may just last a lifetime.

Like with residential homes, boathouses can be built with plans, either original prints or stock plans. Just about anyone can build their own boathouse with a little practice, the right tools, and a little patience. And if you happen to need a little extra help, the team at Deep South Marine Restoration can do it all!  

Dock & Boathouse Construction

boathouse construction
Once you’ve found a functional plan for your boathouse, you can begin construction either yourself or with a dedicated company. Boathouses will sit on top of the dock, integrating it into either an existing dock space or requiring the dock to be built first.
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As is the case with any large-scale construction project, heavy machinery is going to be involved. The difference is, often times, these machines will be floating, such as barges with winch mounts, pile drivers, and more. There’s going to be a lot of moving parts and a lot of juggling schedules around, so be prepared; a simple boathouse can become complicated quickly.

What to Expect when Building a Dock

dock construction
A boathouse is going to be an extensive project, especially considering that the wood used in dock construction needs to be brand quality materials. There’s little to no room for reusing older wood materials, especially if they’ve already been submerged in the water. The crew with the barge should be scheduled first, as they’ll need to install the anchor poles first before any “real” construction can begin. By using pile drivers and ensuring the posts are set in place, the stage is set for the next phase.
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The dock comes next, forming a deck-like structure comprised of a series of wooden boards and planks that connect to the driven anchor poles. The frame is constructed first, followed by beams and walkways.

Building a Boathouse

When the dock is constructed, a large space will be left where the boathouse will be built. Now that there is a platform, the boathouse construction can begin. Start with anchor posts in the corners of where the boathouse will be constructed; the frame can take shape with these in place. The roof frame will be assembled, resting the weight on the surrounding anchor posts.

The roof should be the next step and can be completed with whichever roofing material is best for your job and budget. Many boathouse owners use a metal roof as the shingles can easily detach and wind up in the water. Corrugated steel roof panels, on the other hand, are durable, long-lasting, and require little maintenance to keep it in shape.

If your boathouse utilizes a boatlift, the I-beams will be placed before the rest of the boathouse is constructed. Using a drive shaft, the I-beams are secured in place so that they can lift the water out of the water or set it down into the water without moving the roof frame more than it has to.

The rest of the boathouse is built based on personal preferences. Many choose to forgo having  enclosed features or walls, especially if it’s being added to an existing dock. Having only the anchor beams gives your boathouse a simple appearance that still looks like a professionally-designed boathouse.
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Other owners will want an enclosed boathouse, especially if it has been built on private property. This way, storage options can be installed for lifejackets, fishing gear, and other boating accessories. This way, your boathouse can be more like a boat garage, with everything you need in one convenient location for your fun day out.

Tips to Remember during Dock Construction

In many communities, it may be illegal to build a new “wet” boathouse. This is due to a wet boathouse, be it on a lake, river, or another body of water, has at least part of the construction below the Ordinary High Water Mark, or OHWM. A wet boathouse will need an entirely separate certification, as well as certifications for maintaining, repairing, and reconstruction services.
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In many cases, a wet boathouse is for commercial use only; there may be instances where a residential or private use wet boathouse will be allowed, but that may be a tough uphill battle for you. Even if you’ve had your heart set on having a wet boathouse, you’ll probably have to settle for a dry boathouse instead. Often, you’re better off, as rising water levels can and will do a lot of damage. 
building a boathouse
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Winter Makeover for Your Boat Dock

12/5/2016

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Picture
Just as you would regularly give your deck or patio a once-over, a dock can significantly benefit from a little TLC and winter prep.

​A quick power washing will remove any top surface contaminants like mold, mildew, salt, and other grime from seeping deeper into the wood. Once the dock's deck has been properly washed, a top coat of stain and/or paint can be used to seal it.  Even if you sealed your dock within the last few years, it never hurts to do it again, especially if there’s going to be a chance of a cold snap. The sudden change in temperature can cause premature weathering and rot, and every little bit helps to stretch your dock’s useful life.

Remove the Dock
Taking another page out of our northern neighbor’s playbook, if you have an easily removable dock, you may want to remove and store it for the winter. Many freshwater docks are designed with a series of removable pins, allowing storage in the colder seasons. While they may need to take their docks down by later autumn, you may be able to wait a smidge longer here in the Sunshine State. 

The bad news is, it’s going to take a little elbow grease, and may even take a few days to do. The good news? You’ll have peace of mind that you won’t need to replace your dock simply because it randomly dropped into the 30s last night. Piling docks are obviously best to be left alone. Down south, we don't have to worry about lakes freezing, so, chances are, you’ll be fine leaving your standing docks alone, albeit with a little extra maintenance come spring time.
 
Don’t Undo Hurricane Prep
What Gulf Coast states such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida lack in snow days, we just may make up with a late-striking hurricane. Yes, the hurricane season begins in summer, but you never know when you might have a hurricane in late November, or even in early December. If you have extra hurricane prep items, tools, and accessories, it’s best just to keep them in place during winter if possible. Realistically, no matter how good you’ve been, Santa probably won’t bring you a new boat. By ensuring your boat is well secured, either with a helical anchor or with a dock with tall pilings, you can rest assured knowing that your boat damage would be minimized, and more importantly, prevent your dock from sustaining problems as well. It’s all too common for boats to be tossed into their docks during hurricane season, and sometimes that lasts well into winter.

Use the Right Dock Product
It may seem obvious, but many dock owners, especially new ones, think that any wood sealant is sufficient. However, marine-specific sealants are ideal for protecting wood from salt water and from mold and mildew. Even with pressure treated wood, a marine sealant should be applied every six months to a year to keep it from weathering and splintering.
Hire Us For Your Needs
When you’ve exhausted all of your at-home options or aren’t sure where to begin, you can hire us. We’ll provide your dock and pilings with a free inspection and let you know the best way to preserve your dock all winter long. While we may not have experience with ice and snow, we’re the Gulf Coast’s best choice.

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  • Home
  • Piling & Dock Repair Services
    • Piling Wraps
    • Elevated Homes
    • Concrete Encapsulation
    • Dock Cross Brace Protection
    • Bulkhead Protection
    • Boats Slip & Boat House Construction
    • Boat Hull Cleaning
    • Dock Construction and Repair
    • Boat Slip Dredging
  • Dock Piling Projects
  • Why Choose Us
    • Areas We Serve >
      • Gulfort Dock Piling Repair
      • Slidell Dock Piling Repair
      • Grand Isle Dock Piling Repair
      • Myrtle Grove Dock Piling Repair
      • Orange Beach Marine Construction
    • Deep South Blog
  • Contact Us