Benches for a dock

[Richard Dooling]

Anyone have ideas or plans for dock benches? This will be exposed to a brackish environment so I have to allow for that.

Thanks

[Dennis Lopeman]

Aluminum?



Ok - you are on a woodworking site, so i guess you want a wood bench.

First thing that I thought of was something very hard. Brazilian Ipe.

What are docks made of? Call a Dock company (near salt water) and ask.

[Patrick Laflamme]

By exposed to do you mean sitting on a dock where they are going to be exposed to salt air, splashing, and the weather? Or are we talking about being partially submerged at least part of the time?

[Richard Dooling]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. We are on a small branch of a river that is tidal. Severe weather can submerge the dock by a foot or two though this is very rare. The dock is new and is made of pressure treated wood - I just figured to use the same material.

I have seen aluminum and plastic bracket systems that you just bolt cross bars to for seating. The aluminum is cost prohibitive and the plastic gets very mixed reviews so I thought I would build out of the same material as the dock. I have come up with a wood bracket system that I can add on to so that I do not have to make the whole thing at once. Buut sometimes reinventing the wheel is good - sometimes not so good. I posted this question here in case someone has seen a design that they like for whatever reason.

I know that usually when I build the first version of something I reach the end thinking how I would do certain things different. Also I am very unused to building for this environment – I generally build for interior use. There may be issues here I don’t even know to ask about.

Any fastener material suggestions? There seem to be some options beyond stainless steel and galvanized available these days.

Thanks

[Tony Bilello]

Lately, most new docks I have seen are built of Ipe while some are still built from treated lumber. As for fasteners, I use stainless steel for anything in and around docks and boats. You must buy the SS from a marine supply house such as West Marine or Defender and NOT from the BORG. All stainless steels are not alike just like all woods are not alike.

[Angus Hines]

What creek are you on Richard ?

Sorry, I should have been more specific. We are on a small branch of a river that is tidal. Severe weather can submerge the dock by a foot or two though this is very rare. The dock is new and is made of pressure treated wood - I just figured to use the same material.

I have seen aluminum and plastic bracket systems that you just bolt cross bars to for seating. The aluminum is cost prohibitive and the plastic gets very mixed reviews so I thought I would build out of the same material as the dock. I have come up with a wood bracket system that I can add on to so that I do not have to make the whole thing at once. Buut sometimes reinventing the wheel is good - sometimes not so good. I posted this question here in case someone has seen a design that they like for whatever reason.

I know that usually when I build the first version of something I reach the end thinking how I would do certain things different. Also I am very unused to building for this environment – I generally build for interior use. There may be issues here I don’t even know to ask about.

Any fastener material suggestions? There seem to be some options beyond stainless steel and galvanized available these days.

Thanks

[Richard Dooling]

Thanks Tony, we have a West Marine in town. The builder never even mentioned Ipe and I didn't know to ask.

Hey Angus, we are on Wayne Creek, N. Branch Lafayette River.

[Robert Canning]

In my opinion, Adirondack style chairs/benches are perfect for dock sittin. I personally would never use pressure treated for seating. It is OK for decks and docks but the quality of the wood is poor. I don't know much about Ipe but I would use cedar myself for lasting against the elements. Oak, beieve it or not will last a lifetime outdoors, I have an untreated oak chair that has lived outdoors for over 10 years.

[Terry Wawro]

For stainless steel screws, I think I would order from McFeelys. West Marine might be a little pricey.