Building a Floating Dock with Barrels

There are several material options to choose from when building a floating dock for your lakefront property. 55-gallon drums or barrels are among the popular choices for various benefits. Floating docks made from barrels are high-performance and easy to maximize their use. However, like other materials, they are vulnerable to harsh weather and water conditions that cause wear and tear. This article highlights how you can build a floating dock with barrels.

Why Floating Barrels are Good for Dock Floats

Floating barrels have increasingly become a popular option for building floating docks for the following reasons:

• They are rugged – barrels are more rugged than conventional rectangular dock floats. They are durable and sturdier.
• No foam filling – you don’t have to fill the dock walls with foam to prevent them from collapsing.
• Stays higher above water – typical rectangular floats stay 10 to 16 inches above water level. Floating docks with barrels are 20 inches high.

How to Build a Floating Dock with Barrels: The Steps

A simple search on the internet yields several methods of building a floating dock with barrels. Whether you choose a simple or complex custom design, you’ll require some basics, which include a recycled 55-gallon barrel, fasteners, and treated lumber. Barrel floating docks can be anchored through a stationary platform or weights. However, you shouldn’t use weights for deep water or water with fast currents.

Below are simple floating dock with barrel instructions:

1. Build the Dock Frame

Assembling various parts close to the shore is prudent. The first step is building the frame for the floating dock. Lay your 2×6 or 2×8 boards in a square and screw them together. Note that the size of your treated boards will determine the final size of the dock. Use large beams if you want a larger floating dock. Use 3-inch chemically treated deck screws to hold the frame together.

You should also prepare your barrels. This includes tightening the plugs and applying a layer of silicone caulking to prevent leakage through the plugs. Some people suggest filling the barrels with some ballast to improve stability.

 

2. Support the Frame

With the basic shape of the frame ready, you should add some supporting beams. Measure out and screw 2×4” beams at regular intervals. The supporting beams are important for two reasons. Besides supporting the frame, they prevent the barrels from pushing up against the original frame. Space the boards in a way that barrels won’t touch the level ground but fits nicely into the curves.

You should also install a top layer of beams that run perpendicularly across the supporting 2×4” beams. The beams provide additional support and prevent barrels from moving back and forth. You can use L braces and 4×4” post pieces to solidify the corners and joints.

3. Fix the Barrels

After screwing the beams solidly, the next step is adding the barrels. Start by adding eye hooks on the bottom supporting beams. Each beam should have two hooks for both sides. Lay the barrel into position and tie them. Start from one hook, run the rope first straight across the barrel, diagonally to the third eye hook, and directly across to the fourth hook before knotting. You can flip the frame after hooking all barrels.

4. Deck the Frame

Flip the frame and slide it into the lake or river. You should seek some additional help because of the weight of the frame. Ensure that you dock the frame to something on the shore. Otherwise, water waves and currents may wash it away from the shore as you get other supplies.

Once settled in the water, lay 1×4” boards across the frame and ensure it fits nicely. Leave some space between the boards to keep the wood dry and prevent warping, and hammer or screw them into the supporting beams.

5. Install Eye Bolts

You should then screw eye bolts on all sides of the deck. These will serve as a point of attachment to keep the deck in place. You can use concrete anchors or attach the deck to docks in the land to prevent it from floating away.

Conclusion

Floating barrel decks and boats are a great way of reusing 30 or 55-gallon drums. After installing the dock, don’t forget to conduct routine maintenance. You should particularly watch out for barrel leaks and damages that can sink your dock. If such issues arise or you need help with construction or material supplies, you can rely on Tonka Built. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.