Dow FLOATING DOCKS, RAFTS AND BOAT WELLS - Manual (Page 2)

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figure 2: bottom view of dock
figure 3: attaching billets
to bottom of dock
figure 4: attaching decking
to top of raft or dock
CONSTRUCTION STEPS
1. Following the illustrations, create the
framework shown in Figure 2. With the
frame structure upside down, nail on
the three cross ties and the four skirt
boards.
2. Consulting Figure 3, lay the
STYROFOAM ™ Brand Buoyancy Billets
across the cross ties. Place skids on
the foam as shown. To connect the
foam, drill six holes through the skids,
foam, and the cross ties. Insert the
long bolts and reach under the cross
ties to apply washers and nuts.
3. Turn the structure over and tighten the
nuts to a snug fit.
4. Install lengthwise brace. Then install
cross bracing.
5. Nail on deck boards using a piece of
1/2" (13 mm) plywood to space boards
1/2" apart (Figure 4).
REPLACING EXISTING DRUMS
Easily replace drums on a boat well/wharf
with buoyancy billets while the floating
structure is still in the water. The rocking
that is usually experienced in drum-floated
structures is greatly reduced by using
STYROFOAM™ Brand Buoyancy Billets.
1. Replace small sections one at a time.
Sink and remove only two side-by-side
drums at a time.
2. Build a crib from lumber – 2" x 8"
(5 x 20 cm) boards are suggested.
Fasten the crib to the STYROFOAM ™
Brand Buoyancy Billet. Cross members
should be longer than the wharf is wide.
3. Tilt crib and push under wharf using
the 2" x 8" boards as handles.
4. Center under the wharf. Secure with
16 pennyweight (16d) nails. Saw off
protruding 2" x 8" handles.
Product Cubic Feet
(Cubic Meters)
Approximate Weight,
lbs (kg)
Approximate
Buoyancy, lbs (kg)
Billet Size, inch (cm)
7 x 20 x 96 (18 x 51 x 244) 7.7 (0.22) 14 (6.4) 425 (192.8)
10 x 20 x 96 (25 x 51 x 244) 11.1 (0.31) 20 (9.1) 610 (276.7)
7 x 20 x 108 (1) 8.6 (0.24) 16 (7.3) 480 (217.7)
10 x 20 x 108 (1) 12.5 (0.35) 23 (10.4) 690 (313.0)
10 x 24 x 96 (1) 13.3 (0.38) 24 (10.9) 730 (331.1)
Drum Size
55-gallon (208-liter), 18-gauge 7.8 (0.22) 48.5 (22.0) 440 (199.6)
table 2: comparative size and buoyancy data
DRUM REPLACEMENT STEPS
Plus, there are no hollow drumming
noises to listen to at night.
One 10" x 20" x 96" (25 x 51 x 244 cm)
STYROFOAM ™ Brand Buoyancy Billet
has an average buoyancy that is
approximately 150 percent greater than a
55-gallon (208-liter) drum (Table 2).
(1) Available in the U.S. only