Fixed Boat Dock

March 29, 2018 by gibson Leave a Comment

The Advantages of Owning a Fixed Boat Dock

Just as there are a lot of advantages to owning a floating dock, there are also a lot of great advantages to owning a fixed boat dock.This post will focus on the advantages of owning a fixed dock.

Stability

Since floating docks sit on top of the water, they are affected by the movement of the water. Waves can impact floating docks and cause them to bounce up and down on the water, just as a boat or other watercraft would. Therefore, fixed docks are usually the better choice for areas that have strong tides or currents and/or a lot of wave action, such as high traffic areas.

Professional Installation

Since a fixed dock is almost always considered a structure, certain building protocols need to be followed. These may include (but are not limited to):

Pulling proper building permits
Following state and local building guidelines, such as hiring a state certified contractor
Using specialty equipment for work when required
Using only approved marine-grade materials on the project

Hiring professional dock builders can be more costly than doing it yourself, but it will likely take less time to complete the project. You can also rest assured knowing it was built properly and will safely support your friends and family.

The state certified contractors at Gibson Marine Construction are the ideal experts to build your fixed dock for you. They offer turnkey services, handling every aspect of the project for you from start to finish. You can sit back and relax while they do all the heavy lifting.

Custom Designs and Quality Materials

Hiring the experts to build your fixed dock also comes with another great perk. There’s a wide variety of dock designs and building materials to choose from. You can flip through pictures of docks to find one you like, or work with the design experts at Gibson Marine to create a custom design just for you.

An Extension of Your Living Space

Fixed docks can support more weight than a floating dock, and with stability not being an issue, there are a lot more options for adding your own touch to the space. Here are just a few options:

Add outdoor furniture for a comfortable seating place by the water
Add a kitchen and/or grilling area to easily clean-up and/or cook up the fresh catch of the day
Install a bar area to easily enjoy boat drinks down by the water
Add railings and/or lighting to enhance the ambiance
Add useful accessories such as power pedestals, benches with built-in storage space, or ones that are more fun like dock swings or swim benches.

Withstand a Storm

Fixed docks are made with high quality materials and sturdy construction allowing them to remain in place during a severe weather event such as a hurricane. With a fixed dock, there is no need to rush around and worry about getting it into storage, unlike its counterpart, the floating dock that should be removed from the water before a storm. This time saved can be especially beneficial if you are ordered to evacuate the area quickly due to an impending weather event.

But no matter what type of dock you have, following evacuation orders and getting your loved ones out of the area quickly and safely should always be your top priority.

The Fixed Boat Dock Experts: Gibson Marine Construction

If you would like to add a fixed boat dock to your property, call Gibson Marine Construction. They are experts at designing and constructing docks. They will ensure you get the fixed boat dock that best suits your wants and needs.

Floating Boat Dock

March 26, 2018 by gibson Leave a Comment

The Advantages of Owning a Floating Boat Dock

Deciding to add a dock to your property can be a fairly easy decision. Yes, I want a dock! But deciding what type of dock to get, and figuring out which type of dock best suits your needs – that decision can be a lot more difficult. There are so many choices!

One of the biggest choices is to decide between a floating dock and a fixed dock. This post will focus on the advantages of owning a floating dock.

Basic, Less Expensive and Easy to Install

Many floating docks are pretty basic. Some of these basic floating docks can be purchased and delivered fully assembled while others are designed for easy assembly by a handy do-it-yourselfer.

Installing a basic floating dock is not typically considered a true marine construction project, so installation does not require:

the expertise of a marine contractor
the use of speciality equipment
obtaining the proper building permits (although you should always verify this with your local governing agency)

For these reasons (and more) installing a basic floating boat dock is usually much less expensive than other types of boat docks.

Easy to Maintain

Most floating boat docks are made of low-maintenance materials, such as polyethylene. This type of material doesn’t need to be painted or stained, so you can set up your floating dock and start enjoying it right away. And it’s also pretty easy to clean; usually soap and water will do the trick.

Many Floating Docks are Modular

Modular floating docks are easy to expand and are often sold in sections. Using connectors, sections can be assembled like building blocks allowing you to configure and reconfigure your floating boat dock to best suit your needs at any given time.

Marinas love to take advantage of this feature. Slips can easily be reconfigured to accommodate boats of varying sizes. This means not having to turn any potential customers away because of boat size.

Adjusts to High and Low Water Conditions

Because it floats on top of the water, a floating boat dock is always at the same height as your boat or watercraft allowing you to embark or disembark with ease. You will have use of your dock no matter how high the water rises or how low the water levels drop. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for your boat – low water levels can leave you high and dry, unable to move your boat without scraping the bottom.

Easy Removal

You don’t have to worry about your floating dock getting damaged during a hurricane or severe weather event. Floating docks are easy to remove from the water and should be placed in a safe storage area before a big storm.

Call the Dock Experts at Gibson Marine Construction

Sometimes even the most basic dock installations can give the best do-it-yourself guys a hard time. If so, Gibson Marine Construction is standing by ready to assist with the install.

Or if you want a floating boat dock with more than just the basics, the experts at Gibson Marine Construction can handle that too. They can create a custom design incorporating a floating boat dock that will best suit your needs.

Enhance Your Property by Adding a Boat Dock

January 24, 2018 by gibson Leave a Comment

The Top Three Reasons to Add a Boat Dock to Your Waterfront Property

Even if you do not own a boat (yet), there are still plenty of advantages to adding a boat dock to your waterfront property. Here are the top three:

Easy Access to the Water

Boat docks make it easy to access the water along your waterfront property. Even if you don’t own a boat (yet), it doesn’t mean you won’t use the dock.

The dock can be used as a launching point for other water activities such as getting in an early morning kayaking session or a place the kids can learn how to paddleboard. Plus, if you have lived along the Florida waterfront for some time, you likely have accumulated some friends with a boat or jet skis. It makes it easy for them to drop by and invite you out for an afternoon on the water.

Additional Outdoor Living Space

A dock is also a great way to expand your outdoor living space. Set up a few outdoor chairs on the dock where you can go to enjoy a cup of joe before starting the day. Or deck it out with a living room style seating area, a small tiki bar and outdoor lighting for an evening of drinks on the dock at dusk.

The best part about creating the dock space is being able to design it around your vision, making it into whatever type of space your heart desires.

Add to Your Property Value

Enhancing your property by adding desirable features, such as a dock, will almost always add to your property value if the work is done right. And if you ever decide to sell your home, a private dock is a great feature to help entice potential buyers and in some cases increase the sale price. After all, isn’t direct access to the water part of the waterfront lifestyle every Florida waterfront home buyer wants?

Make Your Dock Dreams into Memories. Call Gibson Marine Construction

From fishing to entertaining friends, let the expert dock builders at Gibson Marine Construction help you build the dock of your dreams – so you can turn your dreams into memories.

A Thank You to Our Clients

June 2, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

As a marine construction business, we combine beautifully functional designs inspired by our clients’ visions and engineered for safety.

We’re a full-service marine contractor with over 30 years of experience building seawalls, docks and installing boat lifts in Florida. Our services are turnkey and include: permitting, design and construction. We enjoy an excellent reputation, but it is one we for which we have worked hard.

We love what we do. We do it well. Another thing we do well is to never forget “why” we do this. It is of course to provide sound structures to help keep homes and commercial properties safe so they make co-exist along the water’s edge, but it is also to make our clients happy.

We genuinely believe that if a business keeps that concept at the heart of their operation, and always gives their best effort, they will succeed. The testimony of our clients is better than anything we could ever want for our business.

“I was very happy with Gibson Marina my boat lift was installed with excellent workmanship and quality materials I would recommend them to anyone.”

“I have now used Gibson for three projects. They repaired a seawall for me, built a new seawall and now a new dock. I have found them to be very responsive, customer focused and reasonably priced. I have recommended them to others and would estimate to do so in the future.”

“We engaged Gibson Marine Construction to build a dock deck and lift for our beach home. We were thrilled with their attention to detail, fairness in pricing, and follow up. It is very hard to find companies that follow thru on what they tell you, up front. Mike and his team from Gibson Marine were great to work with, from start to finish. We highly recommend them.”

“The work you and your company performed for us was outstanding. We couldn’t be more pleased with our choice in selecting Gibson Marine to replace our residence dock and our commercial dock at the Wharf. As a business person, it’s a real pleasure to ‘get what you pay for.’ I can assure you I will go out of my way to recommend your company and please do not hesitate to use us as a reference.”

“Every now and then a company comes along and lives up to the quality and service that it promises. Gibson Marine was one of three local companies that we were considering to install our new seawall. We initially chose Gibson because their consultant Mike Mittler was knowledgeable, timely and would actually answer his phone whenever we called. The process from start to finish was smooth, timely, exactly as promised and with very little disruption to our home or neighbors. Our seawall is now complete and we are very happy with Gibson Marine and our beautiful new seawall.”

This may all sound like we are blowing our own horn (which we kind of are!) but we sincerely thank these clients who took the time to tell us what they thought. We thank all of you. Your trust means everything in the world to our team.

Fixed Docks vs Floating Docks

January 22, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

We have been Florida dock experts for many, many years and have seen an extraordinary evolution in the methods of installation and types of dock surfaces for businesses and home owners to take under consideration. While we love the growth and the possibilities these represent, options can be confusing; so we recommend you take it step by step.

First, contract the best dock construction specialist in Tampa Bay. Check. You called Gibson Marine!

Second, start with the big picture and work down toward the details. Whether you are installing a brand new dock or replacing an existing one, just begin with the wish list on one side and the questions list on the other. Jotting them down as you consider what you want will make certain we look at this structural addition from every angle.

Third is the consideration of the type of dock. There are materials of all types and additions like benches and power and railings of all sorts; but you begin at the baseline. The type. You’ve heard of them both, as their reference is directly linked to their juxtaposition to your water’s edge: fixed or floating.

Fixed

Attached permanently with pilings driven into the seabed
Framing and decking can be crafted from steel, composite, pressure-treated lumber, extruded PVC
Can be used to support a boat lift or heavier items like storage cabinetry or furniture

Floating

They are flexible and buoyant and easily impacted by tidal fluctuations
Because not necessarily permanent, they can be removed and stored which can come in handy
Typically, vertical poles are what keep it grounded

Depending on the type of water vessel you are keeping moored, a floating dock will technically provide a “level playing field” so to speak by providing an easy transition from vessel to dock as they will both always be at the same water level. Here along Florida’s famous gulf coast, those consistencies will bode well for staying dry as you make your way onto shore!

Fixed docks are of course a more permanent structure so will not be as adaptable to water height, but they instead present as a true extension of your property and can be uniquely decorated while supporting any number of accessories including ladders and railings and genuine support to safely move from water to dock.

If you know your neighbors well enough, take a survey of what they like and potentially dislike about the docks on their properties. A professional can give recommendations, but you will receive valuable perspective from current owners and what they may have done differently when they had their install done; or even what modifications they may be contemplating.

At the end of the day, it comes down to the right price point for your budget, and a dock solution that is going to meet your needs for its use. We suggest you take your time, do some research, call us with any questions, and enjoy the exciting process of building a dock for your home!

Five Favorite Florida Boat Dock Ideas

December 3, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

Boat docks are not just for boats. Yes, the name would imply that purpose, but part of living the Florida lifestyle means getting out into the beautiful sunshine.

And just because you live on the water does not mean you necessarily own a boat; nor does it preclude you from building a boat dock for alternative recreational reasons. Perhaps there’s an existing dock on your newly purchased property that needs a little love to realize its potential as valuable square footage.

These are some of our favorite design ideas/uses for boat docks, with or without a boat:

Dock Gazebos – To enjoy your boat dock during the hottest part of the day and even to weather a light rain, there’s nothing like a dock-mounted gazebo. You can outfit it with couches or lounges, or even a traditional table and chairs for dining al fresco. Dress it up in tiny, white lights to give it a little flair, and even a decorative ceiling fan for both aesthetics and comfort.
Garden – If horticulture is a passion of yours, no matter how spacious the grounds, you likely never feel you have enough room to watch your garden grow. Your dock can therefore serve as the ideal palette. Depending of course on its size, and the material of which it is constructed, you can outline the perimeter with rectangular planters which make it easy to add and remove flowers and shrubbery at will and according to season. There are plenty of plants that look as beautiful pre-bloom in the slightly cooler Florida temperatures, so you can appreciate a lovely spectacle year ‘round.
Fishing pier – A lover of fishing? You are living in the right place. Enjoy your favorite pastime from the comfort of your own dock and fish to your heart’s content. Weatherproof cabinetry can be installed to house your tackle and gear, and if you really want to hook yourself up, you can add extras like an Adirondack fish chair, or just stick with your lucky aluminum folding beach chair (duct tape and all!). Make it your own and enjoy the day.
Dock Hammocks – Once you start browsing for accessories to make your Florida dock more nuanced, you may have a tough time deciding. For example, in the absence of trees from which to anchor a hammock, a section of the planks can be removed and hammock netting inserted to skim the water’s surface and provide the ultimate flotation device.
Extension of Your Yard – Consider your boat dock an extra allowance of your outdoor square footage. The motif that begins at your screened lanai can be carried right out to the water’s edge; even with the same cushions and colors to train the eye out to the shore, while perpetuating your décor.

It is cliché to say that the options are endless, but they really are. For your Florida boat dock, you can: paint it, stain it, decorate it, expand it, or simply luxuriate on your day off enjoying a pastime, dining, or taking a lazy nap.

How to Properly Care For Your Dock

September 24, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

Loving life at the water’s edge? There’s nothing better. Whether you’ve just moved into your first waterfront home or are exploring a possible update to your boat dock’s construction, you’ll find there are options to suit every design taste and functionality.

Besides the array of dock accessories like child safety fences and hazard prevention power pedestals for stowing electrical cables, there are tons of choices for outfitting your boat dock:

Underwater deck lighting
Jet ski lifts
Ladders, rails, and flat piling caps
Custom benches and seating
Boat lifts of all shapes and sizes

The foundation for your outdoor oasis is, of course, the decking you choose for your dock system. Floating or fixed, a look at the variety of dock construction materials proves an interesting exploration into the form, fashion, function, and care of your deck materials.

There are a range of materials from which to choose; each with their own characteristics:

Hardwood decking and softwood decking
Composite or plastic decking

Wood Decks

These are a classic. Wood decks are warm, welcoming, and typically integrate beautifully as a bridge between your property’s landscaping and its water access.

While hardwoods contain natural oils and organic compounds that do help protect them to an extent from insects and decay, maintaining their “natural beauty” comes at a little cost/sweat equity.

You’ll probably want to pressure wash annually, but we recommend consulting with a Florida dock professional first. We have seen homeowners inflict damage to their docks by setting their power washer to full blast and using the same type of attachment they would to clean concrete.

Wood Deck Power Washing Tips

Don’t place the power wash tip too close — you probably want to be about a foot away
There are all kinds of nozzle attachments for pressure washers – use the fan tip for a less concentrated force
Do not use pressure over 1200 – 1500 PSI or you may actually etch the wood
If the wood is a cedar or a pine, you will want to be more in the 500 – 600 PSI range

Wood Deck Sealing

Again, consult a dock pro to confirm how often you should apply a coat of finish or stain and what type to use. Re-apply every three to four years is a good rule of thumb to maintain water resistance and surface integrity.

Composite or Extruded PVC Decking

At the other end of the maintenance spectrum you will find composite decking. As the name implies, this decking is fabricated from a combination of wood fibers and plastic.

Composite decking includes elements like recycled inorganic materials (polyethylene/polypropylene) combined with organic materials such as wood fibers.

Although not as susceptible as wood, these surfaces are not exempt from mold/mildew in damp or shaded areas; so composite docks should still be cleaned regularly.

PVC decking is typically made from a combination of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene. The boards that will comprise the dock can be injection molded, rotationally molded, or extruded to tailor its build.

Your custom-built dock can make a unique contribution to your home’s shoreline. Consideration of the materials used is the first and best decision for years of enjoyment.

Contact Gibson Marine for more tips and tricks on how to keep your boat dock, and deck in great shape for years to come!

Four Signs Your Boat Dock Needs a Little TLC

September 10, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

Owning a boat is a wonderful thing. You get to enjoy the freedom and beauty of the open sea, but it comes with costs back at home. Every time you bring your boat back home after cruising up and down the Gulf Coast or along Florida’s inland waterways, you are tying it up to your dock. With thousands invested in your boat, don’t you want to know you are tying it up to a dock worthy of securing your boat? Your boat dock, like everything else that comes in contact with Florida’s waters, is going to require maintenance and upkeep from time to time. Keep an eye out for these four signs your dock might need a facelift.

Warped or Cracked Supports

Depending upon the type of materials used in the construction of your boat dock, you may need to watch out for warped or cracked supports. Currents and waves can cause the structure to warp or bend over time due to sustained pressure, and sometimes that constant pressure can even lead to a crack or break in the supports. Other factors such as an accidental collision between your boat and dock can lead to warping and cracking.

The type of support damaged makes a difference too. Smaller supports can often be replaced individually or repaired without significant cost. A load-bearing support should be addressed right away so you don’t risk injury should the dock collapse.

Wood Rot

Although many homeowners transition to synthetic materials in their docking, there are still those with wooden docks. The most common source of rot is fungus from the water that seeps in and causes dry rot, a condition in which the wood decays and crumbles. If it is confined to one area of your dock, it is possible to replace the individual boards with new treated lumber. If the wood rot is out of control, it is best to consult the marine construction specialists at Gibson Marine to determine the cost of replacement and learn about the benefits of different docking materials.

Foundation Damage Under the Waterline

Most residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast have docks that are permanently installed on pillars and underwater foundational supports. These docks offer convenience to you as a homeowner because you have a long-term, stable foundation that allows you to focus on the surface of your dock. However, you still need to be wary of any cracks in your foundational supports. They should be addressed immediately.

Rusted Platforms and Supports

If your boat dock has metal components in the platform or supports, the corrosive saltwater along the coast is going to eat away at the metal over time. Small rust spots can often be repaired or replaced with ease, but if rust is prevalent, it’s time to consider replacing your entire structure in the interest of safety.

Your boat dock might seem like a utilitarian place to load and unload your friends and family from the boat, and tie your boat up when it’s not in use, but it’s an important structure. Not only does it keep your boat on your property, it holds your valuable cargo (family and friends) when they are preparing for a boat ride. Ensure you keep a structurally-sound dock by watching out for these dangerous signs of decay and damage.

If you are concerned about the condition of your dock, feel free to contact us for a professional assessment and quote for any repairs that may be needed!