Name: Gibson Marine Construction
Address: 2131 Range Rd., Clearwater, FL, 33765, USA
Telephone: 727-942-3111
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

How to Make the Most of Your Waterfront Lifestyle

October 19, 2021 by gibson Leave a Comment

Whether you live right on the water, or your property is close by, there is a unique lifestyle afforded to those who choose to live in waterfront communities. Activities like kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, jet skiing, and bird watching are all available right there in your very own backyard. But just as there are so many amazing benefits to living on the water, there are also some additional responsibilities too. Here are some tips for making the most of your waterfront lifestyle.

Be Prepared for Severe Weather

Coastal living means living with big storms. Whether it’s the daily summer thunderstorms or the threat of an impending hurricane, not being prepared for these types of events is a rookie move. Make sure you educate yourself (and your family) on how to prepare your waterfront property for a big storm. And don’t be afraid to practice your storm preparedness procedures! Storms can sometimes ‘come out of nowhere’ leaving property owners just a few hours (or sometimes less) to lock everything down and prepare for the onslaught of severe weather!

Stay Safe! Be Aware of the Unique Safety Hazards of Living on the Water

While it might seem like an obvious statement, there are a lot of safety hazards that homeowners can overlook, especially in regard to living on the water. To learn about some of the most common issues we often encounter when inspecting boat lifts, docks and decks, and seawalls for our clients, take a look at this post about waterfront safety. And if you have any concerns or think your structures might need some maintenance, or to be replaced, reach out to our team of experts at Gibson Marine.

Transform Your Backyard into the Water’s Edge Retreat of Your Dreams

Once you’ve done the (very important) work of preparing your family and property with a plan for severe weather and have ensured that your outdoor structures are all safe to use, it’s time to start enjoying the benefits of living on the waterfront! One of the best ways to do this is to customize your outdoor space.

Add Lighting to Your Outdoor Space

One way to add a personal touch is by incorporating some accessories into your outdoor space. Some of our most common requests are to add an assortment of lighting features. Simply adding pathway or post lights can make a dock more usable after dark. While the lighting requests we get most often from avid fishermen are for underwater lighting. Adding underwater lighting on your dock or deck can transform your space into a beautiful oasis and attract many different kinds of fish!

Enhance the Usability of Your Waterfront Space

Whether you want your backyard to feel like an extension of your living room, or you’re looking for prime sunbathing real estate, there are endless possibilities when it comes accessorizing your waterfront space. Simple add-ons such as built in benches can do double duty offering seating options and potential storage space. While higher-end options such as boat lifts or dock plumbing for outdoor showers or fish cleaning stations can offer both function and convenience.

How Will You Make the Most Out of Your Waterfront Property?

If you are looking for a little inspiration, one of our favorite resources is Pinterest, believe it or not. But, if you need some inspiration that goes beyond the computer screen, give one of our professionals a call to come out and give you personalized suggestions for how to transform your outdoor space.

How to Make the Most of Your Waterfront Lifestyle

March 28, 2017 by gibson Leave a Comment

Whether you live right on the water, or your property is close by, there is a unique lifestyle afforded to those who choose to live in waterfront communities. Activities like kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, water tubing, jet skiing and even sightseeing are all available in your very own backyard. But, even being steps away from paradise can have its drawbacks if you don’t know the tricks of the trade! Here are some of our favorite suggestions for making the most of your waterfront lifestyle.

Be Prepared! Coastal living means living with big storms. Whether it’s the daily summer thunderstorms or the threat of an impending hurricane, not being prepared for these types of events is a rookie move. Make sure you educate yourself (and your family) on how to prepare your outdoor spaces for a big storm, and don’t be afraid to practice your storm procedures! Storms can sometimes “come out of nowhere” leaving property owners just a few hours (or less) to lock everything down and protect it from the impending barrage of rain, wind and lightning!
Stay Safe! While it might seem like an obvious statement, there are a lot of safety hazards that homeowners can overlook. We recently posted about some of the most common issues we come across when inspecting boat lifts, docks and decks, and seawalls for our clients. Take a look at this post about waterfront safety, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you think your structures might need some maintenance, or to be replaced.
Accessorize! Once you’ve done the (very important) work of preparing your family with a set plan in the event of a storm, and have ensured that your outdoor structures are all up to code and in tip-top shape, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! One of our favorite ways to do this is by adding some accessories to your outdoor space. One of the requests we get most often is for underwater lighting (especially from our avid fishermen). Adding underwater lighting on your dock or deck can transform your space into a beautiful oasis and attract many different kinds of fish!
Decorate! Whether you want your backyard to feel like an extension of your living room, or you’re looking for prime sunbathing real estate, there are endless possibilities when it comes to outdoor décor. Our favorite resource for inspiration is Pinterest, believe it or not. But, if you need some inspiration that goes beyond the computer screen, give one of our professionals a call to come out and give you personalized suggestions for how to transform your outdoor space.
Enjoy! We may have our own ideas for how best to enjoy a waterfront oasis, but we’d like to hear from you! What are some of your favorite waterfront lifestyle perks? How have you personalized your space, and what do you do to enjoy it? Next time you’re out there, snap a picture and share it with us in the comments below.

No waterfront? No Problem! How Decking can add Style and Purpose to your Summertime Florida Home

February 26, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

With summer just around the corner, you might be thinking about remodeling your yard to enjoy the warm months in the sun. Who says you need to be at a waterfront to enjoy the benefits of a visually-pleasing, functional deck? Although decking is usually associated with docks, pools, and waterfront homes, you can take advantage of this beautiful addition to your home even if you don’t live next to the water. An outdoor deck is a popular way for making better use of your living space and increasing home value without breaking the bank!

Quick and Inexpensive

In comparison to patios, decks are faster and cheaper to build ranging from an average of $20- $30 per square foot. Because decks can take as little as a week to build, you can be sure to have your new outdoors ready to enjoy well before summer. Another benefit of a deck is that the terrain doesn’t need to be levelled, and you can have a flat surface anywhere without having to pay for expensive retaining walls and dirt filling to level the ground.

Beauty with a Purpose

Just like the Miss World pageant, decks have beauty with a purpose. They add design to your home, making it more visually pleasant. Who doesn’t enjoy the natural look of wood complementing the yard and garden? Apart from being a decorative structure, a deck is functional for many reasons. Decks increase your living space, making room for an outdoors living room or barbecue area to enjoy alone or with guests. In addition, space under the deck is a great storage space for those “toys” like the kayak you once thought was a good idea but only ended up using once in a blue moon.

Safe for the Family

If you have children or pets, a deck is a better option for keeping them contained in an outdoor space. Our services include the construction of child safety fences, of which we are proud to be experts. We specialize in the highest, most innovative fence layout design and installation, without skimping on quality.

High Quality, Low Maintenance Relationship

Discouraged by the perceived upkeep and maintenance requirements of a deck? Gibson Marine Construction takes pride in providing different choices of quality materials. If taken care of the correct way, good decking can last a long time. Our composite decking with a 25 year warranty is an excellent option for those seeking to “keep it casual” with their decks without compromising in an exhausting relationship. Hosing down the surface with water every once in a while is more than enough for maintaining the long-lasting material and the mutually enjoyable relationship with your deck. We also offer extruded PVC with limited lifetime warranty, and pressure treated lumber for the more passionate deck lovers.

To discover what deck material and design better fits your needs, feel free to schedule a professional appointment with Gibson Marine Construction.

Why We Use Pressure-Treated Lumber for Our Decks

February 19, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

Particularly in the marine industry, we are accustomed to fiberglass and synthetic materials. Their flexibility and cost efficiency make these typically the go-to materials for everything from speed boats to docks. The use of extruded PVC for residential docks in Florida is oftentimes sought-after as they are accompanied by attractive extended warranties.

Wooden docks, however, are stunning. If kept in good condition, really “look like they belong” as a natural element integrated against the backdrop of their surroundings.

Therefore, although there are several caveats about the care and maintenance of organic or wooden docks, including gentle power washings and protection with a high caliber sealer, one thing is certain: the lumber needs to be pressure treated. This is not the place to skimp.

Still, even with pressure treated wood, because of the wood’s natural “instability” it is certainly predisposed to split and even of course warp making preventative inspections a must.

The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) offers the best perspective on why pressure treated lumber should be used for decks:

Treated wood, sold in nearly every lumber outlet in North America, is favored for a variety of reasons: it has a natural appearance, its resistance to termites and rot is well established, wood is a plentiful and renewable resource, and treated wood is usually the most economical choice.

Longevity. Preserved wood resists damage from termites and fungal decay for decades; some producers offer warranties that extend for the life of the purchaser.

More than 80% of all U.S. decks are built entirely or partially with preserved wood, according to national surveys. Even when redwood or composite decking is used for the deck platform, preserved wood is usually used for posts, beams, and joists because of its structural strength and ability to withstand deterioration in ground contact.

Appearance. Treated wood can be found in a variety of lumber grades — from knot-free, close-grained grades to grades with more knots, splits, and wane (missing corners where bark once existed). Other than imparting a greenish or brownish hue, pressure-treatment has little effect on the appearance of wood; the treating process makes wood last longer regardless of its appearance.

A final interesting point disclosed by the NADRA is the environmental consciousness promoted by using preserved wood.

First of all, the trees are grown on managed timberlands which is reassuring, but additionally, “Treated wood requires less energy to produce than alternative building products. The preservatives are manufactured, in large part, from recycled materials. Most important for homeowners and the environment, the treatment extends the life of wood. This enables a deck to last longer, and it reduces demands on forests and other resources.”

Conscious decisions about building marine structures are solid decisions. This is one of the reasons at Gibson Marine that we carefully consult with our clients to determine the things that are most important to them to give them firm assurance of their dock solution. Fortunately, the material alternatives are plentiful and the design options, limitless.

Which Type of Boat Lift is Right for you?

July 14, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

If you are a boat owner lucky enough to have your own waterfront property at which to store the boat, you should have a boat lift to protect your precious seafaring watercraft from Mother Nature! When your boat is not in use, a boat lift help can keep it out of the water away from barnacles, storms or any other potential, damage-causing hazards. It can also help you move your boat from one location to another, like from an inlet to a boat storage facility before a hurricane hits. Many different types of boat lifts are manufactured every day and we install lots of different styles to best suit your needs.

The types of boat lifts we install, include:

Aluminum Boat Lifts
Galvanized Boat Lifts
Davits
PWC Lifts
Swinger Style Lifts

With so many options, one can’t help but beg the question, “what kind of boat lift is right for me?” Well we are here to help you answer that question! Boat lifts are like shoes, one size does not fit all. Some boat lifts are great for large boats on the open sea, while other boat lifts would be better suited for a small boat in a calm freshwater lake. Below are a few things to consider when making the decision about which type of boat lift you need.

Freshwater or Saltwater?

Staying knowledgeable about ways you can prevent the wear and tear of your boat lift can be financially beneficial in the future. Damage to a boat lift can be very expensive, and sometimes irreversible. One way you can prevent damage to your boat lift is to think about what kind of water in which your boat lift will be working. Is it fresh or salt water?

Salt water can be corrosive which is why, if you are boating out at sea, a stainless steel boat lift should be your go-to answer. Stainless steel contains a high proportion of chromium and nickel, are very resistant to corrosion and other chemical reactions, and are easy to clean, polish, and sterilize. For this reason, stainless steel has a great relationship with the salty sea and is the best choice for any sea faring vessel.

But what about if you like to go boating out on a beautiful freshwater lake? The water in a freshwater lake is less harsh and gentler on boat lifts, which is why a galvanized boatlift would be a great choice for those kinds of environmental conditions.

Small Boat or Large Boat?

Some boat lifts can’t lift boats of certain specifications. For example, you wouldn’t make a boat lift designed for small lake boats lift a large sea yacht would you? Just like you wouldn’t make a boat lift designed for only deep water lift a boat that is in shallow water. Again, it is like a shoe, not one size fits all, so be sure to take the size and usage of your boat into consideration when purchasing a boat lift.

More Questions?

Still not sure which boat lift to get? We can give our expert advice on what kind boat lift would best fit your needs, and then we can install it for you, from beginning to end! We love our lakes and oceans and we would be more than happy to assist in your next project! Feel free to contact us by calling 727-942-3111 or here.