Heavy-duty hardware
A dock resides in an unforgiving environment, under the glare of the sun, with water constantly lapping at its sides. On top of that, it's continually rocking up and down with the waves and periodically takes a good jolt from boats.
The hardware for this dock was sourced from a Brampton, Ont.-based manufacturer, Dock Edge (www.dockedge.com). It carries a complete line of dock-building supplies, from polyethylene floats and corner brackets to bumpers and ladders.
An odds-and-ends coffee jar of hardware obviously won't cut it for dock construction. Stainless steel is the top choice for durability, followed by galvanized fasteners, depending on the material choice.
With the accelerated expansion and contraction that results from constant exposure to water and sun, you're going to want the bite of screws rather than nails to hold down the deck boards. For framing, choose the strength of chunky carriage bolts, reinforced with washers or, better yet, washer plates.
Docks also require some specialty components, including heavy-duty corner brackets-look for ones with slots to slide the anchor chains into-and hinges that connect ramps and sectional components, while allowing for some play from rising and falling water levels.
Accessorize your dock
Whether you use cleats or rings to tie off your boat comes down to personal preference ($5 to $30, depending on material and size). Mooring whips ($200 to $300 for a typical runabout) keep your boat from bumping against the dock and allow the two to rise and fall independently with wake action. For protection of both dock and boat, PVC bumpers are about $2 to $10/ft.
If you're going to swim from your dock, you'll need a dock ladder. You can build your own matching cedar stairs, but be warned that the submerged rungs will accumulate a slimy, slippery film. The alternative is to buy ready-made aluminum or stainless-steel ladders ($100 to $300), some of which come with a quick-release option for easy off-season storage.
Finally, for safety, you should have a life-saving ring permanently stored on or near the dock ($60 to $70 for a 24"-diameter ring).
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