I built a floating dock this weekend for our pond,I am looking for ideas for rails? I was thinking of something sleek with steel cable, if anyone has any suggestions will be appreciated !
PVC ?? Weather proof, rust proof, needs no maintanence. Rudy
If it were me I'd use wood, I'm sure I'd want to attach stuff to it. That looks really nice, you have some skills!
I agree. That looks so nice that you should consider staying with the wood. Posts with knee braces and a top rail.
-s
Very nice work. What is the purpose of the opening? I agree wood posts and to keep the weight down woven stainless steel cable. Dominick
Dominick,the opening is for a trolling motor/battery.I am going to add a metal plate for the motor to fasten to.I just discovered via pinterest the railing I was considering is called "cable railing" .All the components I have found so far, are pricey ! I like a nautical look with rope but, I need a top rail for rod holders.
Ah! A fishing platform...floating dock hah! Sounds like fun. Dominick
OK brainstormers,engineers,and homesteaders this is how it sits,now how to move it to the pond...maybe 800 lbs?I only have a 5x8 trailer but have access to a car trailer?
Turn it upside down and load on a trailer that's capable of carring over 800 lbs. How far do you have to go and what kind of roads. Highways? Most states the float will have to be registered as a boat & issued a ID decal if any kind of motor is ever installed. Rudy
You're adding rails to it, why? Kids, oldsters or rough waters? Will people swim from it? Will there then be a ladder?
Yeah, how far do ya gotta go to the pond.
Look's like some great work so far.
What'er the floats made of?
If you have access to some large diameter pipe or logs you could take off the cleats, flip it over and roll it to the pond.
800lbs isn't that heavy, maybe try your trailer with the tractor, go slow
Or you could change your name to Noah and wait for rain.
:) Wet down the grass , strap on 2 leaf blowers and treat it like a air boat ! ::)
Quote from: jgp12000 on August 03, 2020, 12:01:33 AM
Dominick,the opening is for a trolling motor/battery.I am going to add a metal plate for the motor to fasten to.I just discovered via pinterest the railing I was considering is called "cable railing" .All the components I have found so far, are pricey ! I like a nautical look with rope but, I need a top rail for rod holders.
2 inch pvc pipe with 45 degree sanitary wye [pole holder ] for the stations and rope for railing !
oldmanjoe,
that is the best idea yet!
Gfish,the rails are just that for gkids and oldsters,300 yards to pond.
Can you put a couple straps around it and lift it with the bucket loader. Once off the ground strap it so it doesn't swing around and drive slowly.
How far to the where you're launching it?
Larry around 300 yards to pond
how about some aluminum pipe stock with hole drilled through at for corners and use anchor rope through them as the rails.
you might have to fab bases for the pipes to attach to the deck.
I got it in the water but it helps to have good friends,my buddie borrowed a 40ft flatbed trailer from his bro-in-law I picked the dock up with 2 nylon straps and lowered it onto the trailer.Then He backed the trailer in the pond and it floated off.Easier than I thought.I put a 55lb 42in Minn Kota trolling motor on it and it moves out ! I caught 2 bass on it last night while trying out the new motor.
Looks good!
I've never dealt with a fishing platform before but with railings in other areas. As mentioned before, wood post with rope would definitely look good.
This is what we sometimes use on playgrounds. Some slimmer dimensions but same principle could look good. Polyhemp rope for durability.
(https://cdn.scancord.net/19517-thickbox_default/pollare-i-larktra.jpg)
Mandelstam,
That looks great!I paid a guy to do my big dock it has rope on the walk way with copper post caps.He burned up a drill trying to drill thru the 6x6 posts.He got it done though, just curious what you use to drill thru those big posts?
Quote from: jgp12000 on August 12, 2020, 11:06:21 AM
Mandelstam,
That looks great !I paid a guy to do my big dock it has rope on the walk way with copper post caps.He burned up a drill trying to drill thru the 6x6 posts.He got it done though, just curious what you use to drill thru those big posts?
These posts come factory made and I think the cable is 65mm (2.5"). Here's a screengrab from the catalogue.
For your platform I think it's definitely possible to scale down the dimensions of both posts and cable. Cable like that isn't cheap if you buy it new. At least not here. Maybe possible to find used though?
One thing I'm thinking about too and maybe it's just because I'm used to working with public spaces where everything needs to be up to code and super safe, but make sure it's trustworthy and can handle someone putting their weight to it. Having no guard rail instead of a guard rail that collapses as soon as you put some weight on it is probably safer in that case.
You could use a spade bit to drill the holes. Use a good drill with a cord if you can. We put cables in trees and have to drill holes thru some pretty thick diameter branches with hard wood. Cordless are easier to use 30' up but power and battery life were a problem so we went back to corded and a generator. Constantaly backing the bit out and clearing the shavings helps too.
Thanks for answering my questions.
DUDE! You're living my dream. I learned to bass fish by sneaking into a local farm pond as a youngster and ever since then I've fantasized about my own pond. Talkin--designed and built the way I would want it for max bio-diversity and game fish production. And yes a dock. But that's a great idea/addition, a mobil dock!
Yes my dream also,for years I had to ask permission to fish at different friends' ponds and funnie thing is a lot of pond owners don't even fish??? I know now it also comes with a lot of grass cutting,property taxes, & maintenance,but I can fish everyday.I only have to ask myself do I want to go fishing?Well of course I do ! The dock is "Landshark" ready after all it is sharkweek...I just need rails to keep me dry.
Having a post or some support near you on that would be a good idea just in case you need to grab something to maintain your balance. Just a thought.
I finally got the rails done,I used powder coated hogwire and my buddie cut dadoes in the posts.I used wire clamps at the bottom and will add rod holders soon.
Looks great !
Great job!
When you get your safety equipment, fire extinguisher, rod holders, and some lightweight chairs onboard — you will be ready to go.
Plus cup holders...
Nice work and engineering.
Best,
Fred
Oh yeah dude, you could go all-out! I see an umbrella table, outdoor chairs, a grill, and a portable submersible ladder for the swimmers. What else?...
After all this yellowjackets have decided to build a nest under the dock on top of one of the floats.I dumped soapy water on them for my 1st attack.I am now googling DIY yellowjacket traps.One got me last week, I think they are the worst ! Fred you had me at cupholders...Gfish sounds like you would make it a party barge,great ideas!
The worst is the sting. The ones I've delt with could bite or sting. Enough stings over time and you start to get more and more allergic to the toxin
Quote from: Gfish on November 17, 2020, 07:05:17 PM
Oh yeah dude, you could go all-out! I see an umbrella table, outdoor chairs, a grill, and a portable submersible ladder for the swimmers. What else?...
A custom "Bimini" top, lantern holder, equipment box (with the vessel's name emblazoned), life ring, and chaise pads for when the missus is upset with you!!
A floating doghouse...
LED lights run off the battery for those "after sunset" bass trips? - john
How about a wet bar in the corner? ::) Dominick
The ideas just get better
Your soon gonna have to double up on your floats with all these ideas :D
You're gonna need a bigger dock!
Gonna need a bigger pond!
Yellow jackets are a bummer, be hard to get at them under the dock
When you run out of room just add that second floor. It's probably a pretty view from up there too.
A good way to kill a yellow jacket nest is spraying them down with WD-40. The oil weighs them down so they can't fly. Since WD-40 can also be used as a fish attractant and a lubricant you will be saving some space there too.
-steve
In the UK we use fake/imitation nests to keep the blighters away. Apparently they wont nest near an existing one. This may depend on the exact variety of Vespidae but it certainly seems to work - still wont stop you getting stung though. Now hornets are a different kettle of fish.
Maybe some kinda plastic mesh to block off the access to the underside?
You gotta get rid of the nest. If you're just getting the flying adults the nest is full of eggs and larvae so the problem will persist
I believe the yellowjackets flew the coupe.I just got these Hercules chairs and some cupholders from Amazon,these resin chairs have a 1000lb rating, are comfortable, and do not take up alot of room.Now I just need to fish and test out the cupholders...
Referring to lights, I stand correcting, but I think red & orange lights repel the mossi squeeto`s, not sure if they think it is fire or not, cheers Don
Quote from: jgp12000 on November 26, 2020, 01:35:49 PM
I believe the yellowjackets flew the coupe.I just got these Hercules chairs and some cupholders from Amazon, these resin chairs have a 1000lb rating, are comfortable, and do not take up alot of room.Now I just need to fish and test out the cupholders...
I'm sorry, this is not a floating dock... But a floating, Missouri River fishing platform... Many hillbillies like myself would much rather fish from such a craft than bass boat. Far more useful... Jeff
My kind of comfort. I agree with the shade recommendation. A T top or bimini would be very nice on hot days.
However you dress it up, looks like fun.
The Man
I'd opt for a tiny table/umbrella(fold-down) and collapsible chairs.
Quote from: Gfish on March 05, 2021, 07:53:12 PM
I'd opt for a tiny table/umbrella(fold-down) and collapsible chairs.
Oh yeah, one of those clamp on boat or picnic umbrellas would be perfect! Clamp it to a pole you hang a lantern from at night, and you have the whole day covered.
The Man
I retired a week ago and the crappie are turning on in the pond. I have a 55lb/42" thrust TM on the barge and it moves out pretty quick even with 4 adults. I am glad I got it ready before retiring, it's nice to be able to just get on it and take off no launching. Reminds me of flipper if you guys are old enough to remember, Bud and Sandy had a boat in the water ready to take off whenever...I added 2 more rod holders and of course another beverage holder.
Cool! My uncle had one, store bought. Lots of fun for the adult gang at the Lake, but too much drinking going on. Once, messing with Grandpa, uncle sneaks up behind him, starts bouncing the front end while going full speed to scare gramps, and almost tipped me and the whole gang into the drink. Grandpa's least favorite son-in-law.
The youngest kid on Flipper had a misplaced, strong NY accent: "Flippah, flippah!", and none of the other characters had a Floridian accent. I think that show gave me a false sense of the intelligence of Dolphins. Probably did alot to set people up, who've never even been around wild Dolphins, or even the ocean, for the Greenpeace thing.