I want to build a floating dock on my pond. The modular units I've seen advertised on the net are way too pricey. Has anyone actually built a good dock on their pond for cheap? Thanks.

Bruce

-- bruce (niobrara55@hotmail.com), March 31, 2002

Answers

55 gallon drums linked with flexable connections at the ends of planks. Treat the drums aganist rust with a zinc chromate based primer.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 31, 2002.

food grade plastic barrels,, no painting,, the ones that hold syrups and such work great,, can usually get them for 5 bucks

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 31, 2002.

Bruce, there are plans and pictures on this very thing. Go to www.poultryconnection.com, click on General Waterfowl Forum and check the archives, also post your question there and you will get lots of ideas. Several of the people there have done this. One clever lady with the help of her DH, made one from pallets, attached a pulley to it so she could reel it in when wanted, and reel it back out. They do lose a duck once in a while, but all in all seem happy with the arrangement. I prefer locking my ducks up at night, but this couple are gone for many hours until way after dark and that is not an option for them. They have also put a kennel on the float to train their ducks to sleep there. Good Luck, have fun, LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), March 31, 2002.

Sorry Bruce, a senior moment. You said "dock", I read "float", Jeez, I need coffee! Good luck with your dock, it sounds like you are doing to plan a neat one. You might go ahead and post this question anyway on TPC. so many people there do have ponds and lakes they may have some ideas. LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), March 31, 2002.

LQ, go get that coffee, it does say floating dock.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 31, 2002.

Like Stan wrote, 55 gallon food grade PLASTIC drums are your best bet. Seal the bung holes REAL good. This is what I built on my pond.

-- Buddy (Buddybud@csranet.com), March 31, 2002.

Here's a dock cleverly built ;-) You might enjoy this story and pictures. My daughter and SO are building another one like it this week.......

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/Jan2000.html

-- Peace and Carrots Farm (wsm311@aol.com), March 31, 2002.

Thanks everybody for your great input. The ice has melted on my pond. I'll try to locate those plastic barrels.

Bruce

-- bruce (niobrara55@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.