It's official

[Species8472]

Spring is officially here. Took the day off and got the seasonal portion of my dock structure put out.


Permanent structure is a 16 by 20 deck over hemlock timber cribbed rock (80 tons of blast shatter and boulders). A floating ramp (on bottom only) gets pinned to the structure and then a floating pontoon dock gets pinned to the ramp. Dock is also cross tied from underneath to 4x 400 lb concrete anchors (one at each corner). Shot of the main section shows the corner covers removed to access tie down points.


During the winter the floating dock and ramp get stored in a cove protected on all sides and allowed to freeze for the winter. Protective cove is about 3/8 mile from the summer dock location round the corner next to my boat launch (I have 5/8 mile of frontage). Ramp and dock get paddled over like a giant standup paddle board when it is time to launch. Thinking about adding a clamp on transom and using a trolling motor in the future as paddling that thing especially if there any wind is getting a little hard on my 60 something body.


Lifting the ramp into place with the homemade cantilever lift:








Getting ready to move the main section into place:





And we're done and all cleaned up:





Redneck first aid - shop towel and electrical tape - sliced the tip off my finger





Libations once paddling and tricky parts are done:





Total time from start to finish including set up and take down was 4.5 hours

[Bo D]

Did you slice the tip of your finger before or after libations…. Looks good but also looks like 4.5 hrs of strenuous work…. Lets hope it’s a long summer before you have to take it apart….

[Species8472]

Did you slice the tip of your finger before or after libations…. Looks good but also looks like 4.5 hrs of strenuous work…. Lets hope it’s a long summer before you have to take it apart….

Did that before - in the lake pinning the dock. Did use the libations to clean the wound though.

[Bo D]

From the inside out no doubt!!!

[rodmcd]

Another thread that was nice to see and read. Keep them up everyone. There have been a few lately - just like the good old days.
rodmcd

[TroutSlayer]

Great report! Thanks

[wknwrur]

Good thinking with your DIY hoist, nice job !! Where were your helpers this time ?? LOL . The alcohol cleansed the wound & numbed the pain. Have a nice weekend.

[Species8472]

Good thinking with your DIY hoist, nice job !! Where were your helpers this time ?? LOL . The alcohol cleansed the wound & numbed the pain. Have a nice weekend.

My oldest son lives in Owen Sound and had to work Friday and actually right through the weekend. Youngest son lives in Alberta. SIL and my youngest daughter just had a baby girl 9 days ago - granddaughter #3 for me. Oldest daughter lives in Montreal and is recovering from surgery. So the old man was on his own this year. No problems though just a little slower then 40 years ago but still fit and able. And actually 40 years ago would have used more brute force and less finesse - have a much better understanding of applied physics and mechanical advantage than i did back then. Regardless though still have to get out in the lake to put the dock pins in if you are by yourself and paddling that beast 3/8 of a mile always results in sore muscles the next morning at my age. Like i said though i think next year i will rig a transom and use the trolling motor - physics and mechanical advantage.

[FishHog]

Good stuff, looks like a beautiful spot. I hear you on the the need to work smarter not harder these days. I've been making a number of updates at my cottage to make things that I used to just do, easier. Might take longer but it easier. I have more time these days, but less brute force.