Can I salvage this dock?

[Nilesw]

OK folks I just bought this property with a small pond with a dock on it that is in need of work. As of right now it is kinda sagging in the middle and needs work. My question is this. Can I do it and mke it relatively safe without putting in more posts into the pond bottom. It is 28 feet long with 5 six inch post equally spaced on each side. But get this. It is 10 feet wide and the posts are set at almost exactly 10 feet from edge to edge. I would really like to figure out a way to reframe this thing without having to add new posts in the bottom of the pond. Now this dock just needs to be stable there are no boats involved or currents since it is only a 1 acre pond /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.... Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Niles

 

[Nilesw]

I guess the question is really this. Is there anyway to span what is really a 9.5 foot gap safely and what could I do as runner and cross braces to not add posts dow the center?

 

[chuckva]

I would remove the existing decking and put new 2 &10 salt treated stringers between the post and bolt them throught the post. Then I would use a 2&10 center stringer and use joist hangers and that should give you plenty of stability and should handle this distance. Depending the distance between the post lenght wise, you might be able to use a lighter center stringer.
good luck
chuck

 

[BB_TX]

I would reframe it with steel channel so you don't have to worry about sagging again in 5-10 years.

 

[theboman]

Get some of those big foam floats and rebuild. Cheaper and easier and should last just as long or longer than the one it's to replace.

 

[BXMMCC]

A 3x10 bolted to each side of the posts as stringers; that's 10 3x10x10's, then run 2x8x16's length wise on 2 foot centers; that's 12 2x8's (probably 2x6's would be OK for the 7 foot span between posts lengthwise), then 2x8x10's for decking; that's about 45 2x8x10's. If you use hot dipped galvanized bolts and nails and treated lumber, make sure you get the higher spec galvanize. When your grandkids inherit the place, all they'll need to do is continue to use the right deck sealer!
That's all on the assumption that you have about 2 foot of elevation between the high water mark and the top of the posts.