Author Archives: John Vevea

Stationary Dock Hardware for Building or Refurbishing Projects

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Stationary Dock Hardware for Building or Refurbishing Projects

Stationery dock hardware is used to build a new dock from scratch or to repair an existing dock.  Our stationary dock hardware is made specifically for fresh water use ONLY, because of the painted finish.  Galvanized floating dock hardware marked for saltwater can be used in fresh water, but not the other way around. Salt water tends to be harder on painted metal parts than fresh, and can corrode certain kinds of metal more quickly than freshwater.

In general, floating docks are used in areas prone to hurricanes and storms, and in tidal areas. The reason is simple once you think about it; they float and move up or down with the water, which makes them less prone to damage. In hurricane areas, that means that a floating dock, which moves with the water, is less prone to damage than a stationary dock that must bear the brunt of the force of wind and water.

Benefits of a Stationery Dock

Stationery docks are what many non-mariners think of when they hear the word “dock.”  The solid, firm structure feels better underfoot, and doesn’t give the uneasy sense that you’re going to tip into the water when you move in and out of your watercraft the way a floating dock can feel.  Stationary docks can also hold more people than floating docks; many floating docks made with PVC barrels collapse under the weight of too many users, crushing the barrels and ruining their flotation ability.  Consider a stationery dock if your dock will see heavy foot traffic during peak boating season.

Stationery docks can cost a little bit more money to make than floating docks, but the benefit of a sturdy dock that feels safe for all ages, makes it well worth it. Also the investment in building costs of a dock may be offset by the increased value that the dock adds to your property. For example, a property/lot that has water frontage (with or without a house) has more real estate value because of the water accessibility the dock provides.

Building a stationery dock isn’t hard. Stationery dock hardware is readily available, and the wood you need to build your dock is available from major home supply stores. Home Depot offers a free project instruction sheet to help you anchor either a stationery or floating dock. The stationery dock hardware needed to complete your project is listed on the sheet, and you can purchase it easily online from Ve-Ve Inc.

So if you’re ready to build your stationary dock, visit Ve-Ve Inc. For a complete list of stationery dock hardware for 3 different dock pipe sizes, 1-1/4” (1-5/8” O.D.) , 1-1/2” (1-7/8” O.D.) & 2” (2-3/8” O.D.) ., visit our website. NOTE: Remember pipe is called out by its inside dimension, not the outside dimension a person usually measures. We manufacture and sell only the finest American-made products and ship nationwide and into Canada.

Buying Floating Dock Hardware

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What components of floating dock hardware will you need to build your own dock? The answer depends on the size and shape of the dock itself, but a few key pieces of floating dock hardware are essential for all projects. These pieces may include:

  • Equipment, such as a saw to cut lumber, a drill with different sized drill bits, carriage bolts, nuts, washers along with screws and/or nails
  • Section Connection, “Section Hinging Brackets” to affix the dock sections together
  • Dock Anchoring, “Floating Straight Brackets” with rings or pipes. ( Or “Chain Retainers” for dead man weights.
  • Bracket Support, “Backing plates” ( Optional, but do give added bracket support! )
  • Other optional types of Brackets for different dock layouts and support.

Before starting your floating dock project, read through your plans carefully. If you need a free plan, there are many sources online such as the plans at Remove and Replace and Instructables. Each plan provides guidance to build different sized docks, and you may need more floating dock hardware depending on the size or layout of the dock itself.

Some plans call for using barrels or drums as flotation devices, while others suggest foam filled plastic floats. Barrels work fine for small, private floating docks, but if too many people are on the dock at once, they can sink and the pressure can push in the barrels. Foam filled plastic floats tend to work better for most floating dock projects because you can choose size of floats based on the weight you want to support and the opening on the underside of dock frame you are mounting it to.

For those folks trying to choose between a stationery or floating dock, consider first where you live. The U.S. Coast Guard suggests floating docks for both freshwater and saltwater needs in hurricane-prone and tidal water areas.  A floating dock will ride up and down with the water in the event a hurricane threatens or tide going in or out. Stationery docks may be more stable or look prettier, but they do tend to splinter apart when under hurricane-force water and winds and will stay at a set height when water level fluctuates.

Ve-Ve Inc. manufactures and carries a large selection of galvanized, Made in the U.S.A. Floating Dock Hardware for residential use (Not recommended for large commercial docks ).  Visit our website and browse our selection. Compare it to your plan, and purchase directly from our online store. If you have any questions about your purchase, we also have an online form where you can submit your questions for a prompt answer. Visit Ve-Ve Inc. today. Hardware is shipped nationwide and into Canada.