Older Dock Wobbles

Bear Guy · 05-01-2017, 01:11 PM

We use a single cross brace on each section of dock (see image 1) - which might keep your costs down - we we find to be quite effective. You'd want to alternate diagonal directions on each section. These get tucked up under the dock as high as they can go to be most effective; in fact, the final brace usually is installed above the dock platform until the water warms sufficiently and we go swimming to move it to the underside.
[Image credit docks.com]

LIforrelaxin · 05-01-2017, 01:26 PM

As others have stated, cross bracing is very effective... You will wonder why you spent so many years driving the steal posts into the bottom of the lake bed for the stability.

I am however not sure you would need the X brace on all legs.... I would just add it to the deepest 3 sections to start.... The shallower sections may not warrent the need.... or as some on said, may just need a single brace and not the full X.....

MAXUM · 05-01-2017, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

may just need a single brace and not the full X.....

That only stiffens one leg in relation to the other so you only get 50% of the desired result. Better than none but not as good as two. It's a geometry thing....

LIforrelaxin · 05-02-2017, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

That only stiffens one leg in relation to the other so you only get 50% of the desired result. Better than none but not as good as two. It's a geometry thing....

Correct..... I don't brace all my legs, as I find the shallower ones don't need it... however if I wanted to firm the dock up a bit more, I would only brace the shallow legs in one direction.

Dad sold the C * C · 05-01-2017, 02:04 PM

The answer is yes, the cross bracing will help. It's amazing the difference.

We have a similar setup, 4'x8' sections, wooden with metal post. The former owner didn't pound the post in far and had cross bracing only on the last section. We have a 23' tri-toon and I was a bit concerned about the dock. Last year I pounded the post in and put on a second set of cross braces and then added whips, these additions really helped.

ITD · 05-02-2017, 10:46 AM

Definitely cross brace. Also keep in mind those steel pipes do corrode, I had to replace pretty much all of them on a dock before. Take a hammer ( claw hammer or ball peen, not too heavy) to them, underwater. You should hear a metallic ting when you hit them and they should not give. If you hear a thud or the hammer deforms it easily you need new pipes. They should be able to withstand a pretty good whack.

05-01-2017, 01:11 PM	#1
Bear Guy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FL, Bear Is. Posts: 185 Thanks: 46 Thanked 70 Times in 41 Posts	We use a single cross brace on each section of dock (see image 1) - which might keep your costs down - we we find to be quite effective. You'd want to alternate diagonal directions on each section. These get tucked up under the dock as high as they can go to be most effective; in fact, the final brace usually is installed above the dock platform until the water warms sufficiently and we go swimming to move it to the underside. [Image credit docks.com] Attached Images

05-01-2017, 01:26 PM	#2
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,876 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	As others have stated, cross bracing is very effective... You will wonder why you spent so many years driving the steal posts into the bottom of the lake bed for the stability. I am however not sure you would need the X brace on all legs.... I would just add it to the deepest 3 sections to start.... The shallower sections may not warrent the need.... or as some on said, may just need a single brace and not the full X..... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-01-2017, 02:04 PM	#5
Dad sold the C * C Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 273 Thanks: 119 Thanked 62 Times in 40 Posts	The answer is yes, the cross bracing will help. It's amazing the difference. We have a similar setup, 4'x8' sections, wooden with metal post. The former owner didn't pound the post in far and had cross bracing only on the last section. We have a 23' tri-toon and I was a bit concerned about the dock. Last year I pounded the post in and put on a second set of cross braces and then added whips, these additions really helped.

05-02-2017, 10:46 AM	#6
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,935 Thanks: 478 Thanked 694 Times in 389 Posts	Definitely cross brace. Also keep in mind those steel pipes do corrode, I had to replace pretty much all of them on a dock before. Take a hammer ( claw hammer or ball peen, not too heavy) to them, underwater. You should hear a metallic ting when you hit them and they should not give. If you hear a thud or the hammer deforms it easily you need new pipes. They should be able to withstand a pretty good whack.