Riverbend of Naples
DOCKS & BOATING > DOCK RECONSTRUCTION, 2019
Dock Reconstruction, 2019
Background
After years of various board members wanting to improve our docks, a sudden accident and severe injury arising from a rotten deck board in the park next door, and maintenance time and cost continuing to be spent on repairing our aging deck boards every season, our current Board of Directors investigated the replacement of the West Lagoon and the Fishing Pier decking in the Spring of 2018. After further review and discussion, the Board noted that the pilings should be assessed first, because their replacement would entail ripping up any new dock decking and stringers.
The board contacted 4 companies for quotes on repairing or replacing the docks. Nelson Marine required a full survey, adding significantly to the cost, before they would even consider a quote; DSL Marine never returned multiple calls, Pile Repair & Dock Specialists gave us a quote of $1400 per dock to only repair pilings with jackets filled with concrete; and Greg Orick Marine Constructions quoted us roughly $2000 per dock with full replacement of the entire dock, including pilings, substructure and decking. An additional argument in favor of Orick was the fact they had done excellent dock work for us in the past, with excellent responsiveness and customer service.
The docks and pilings were estimated to be at least as old as our community and probably older. With no way to know the exact condition of all the pilings, and with the recommendation of the expert at Orick, the Board felt that it was in the best interests of the community to replace the entire docks, including the pilings, to reduce our Association’s liability, ensure member safety and to decrease future maintenance costs.
The Project was temporarily postponed in the Fall of 2018 until the following year when the numerous questions and suggestions by a few members could be addressed. In the Spring of 2019, the Board, after evaluating member requests to replace everything at once, approved increasing the project scope to include all docks except the pilings and substructure of the two newest docks in the East Lagoon. Three different types of decking boards were researched and the final choice was TanDeck PVC waterproof decking (color: Birchwood), which came with a 50-year warranty. The configuration was to remain exactly the same, and the only change was to make the Fishing Pier level with the seawall (so there would be no step down as it was for years). The Board also evaluated a water and electric proposal, but decided that for small dock basins such as ours, there was no need for electric at each dock. In addition, replacement of the water lines and also dock caps would be less expensive to do ourselves at a later time using volunteers.
Orick stated that they would install slip poles for a nominal fee at the end of the project. The total cost of the dock overhaul project was expected to be less than $50,000.
The West Lagoon
(The following pictures were provided to us, courtesy of John Weber)
Work on the West Lagoon began on August 22, 2019. Orick brought in their equipment, including a large piledriver on a barge:
After years of various board members wanting to improve our docks, a sudden accident and severe injury arising from a rotten deck board in the park next door, and maintenance time and cost continuing to be spent on repairing our aging deck boards every season, our current Board of Directors investigated the replacement of the West Lagoon and the Fishing Pier decking in the Spring of 2018. After further review and discussion, the Board noted that the pilings should be assessed first, because their replacement would entail ripping up any new dock decking and stringers.
The board contacted 4 companies for quotes on repairing or replacing the docks. Nelson Marine required a full survey, adding significantly to the cost, before they would even consider a quote; DSL Marine never returned multiple calls, Pile Repair & Dock Specialists gave us a quote of $1400 per dock to only repair pilings with jackets filled with concrete; and Greg Orick Marine Constructions quoted us roughly $2000 per dock with full replacement of the entire dock, including pilings, substructure and decking. An additional argument in favor of Orick was the fact they had done excellent dock work for us in the past, with excellent responsiveness and customer service.
The docks and pilings were estimated to be at least as old as our community and probably older. With no way to know the exact condition of all the pilings, and with the recommendation of the expert at Orick, the Board felt that it was in the best interests of the community to replace the entire docks, including the pilings, to reduce our Association’s liability, ensure member safety and to decrease future maintenance costs.
The Project was temporarily postponed in the Fall of 2018 until the following year when the numerous questions and suggestions by a few members could be addressed. In the Spring of 2019, the Board, after evaluating member requests to replace everything at once, approved increasing the project scope to include all docks except the pilings and substructure of the two newest docks in the East Lagoon. Three different types of decking boards were researched and the final choice was TanDeck PVC waterproof decking (color: Birchwood), which came with a 50-year warranty. The configuration was to remain exactly the same, and the only change was to make the Fishing Pier level with the seawall (so there would be no step down as it was for years). The Board also evaluated a water and electric proposal, but decided that for small dock basins such as ours, there was no need for electric at each dock. In addition, replacement of the water lines and also dock caps would be less expensive to do ourselves at a later time using volunteers.
Orick stated that they would install slip poles for a nominal fee at the end of the project. The total cost of the dock overhaul project was expected to be less than $50,000.
The West Lagoon
(The following pictures were provided to us, courtesy of John Weber)
Work on the West Lagoon began on August 22, 2019. Orick brought in their equipment, including a large piledriver on a barge:
Dried wood poles were treated to resist rot and decay, and piled up alongside the dock area for immediate use. Black acrylic sheeting was tightly wrapped around the pole just before installation, and then the pole was driven into the mud using the piledriver. The taller poles in the photos are the new pilings. These will be cut to a consistent height at a later time in the process. Note that the wrap extends from the mud line to within 8" of the future deck. This is to prevent attachment of destructive marine organisms that float on the tides.
Treated wood for the dock substructure was brought on site and then attached to the new pilings. These wood boards will become the outer "stringers" for our docks, and will also stabilize the pilings. Note in the first, third and fifth photos below the small barge used by the workers to perform the work.
The old pilings were collected in a bin for hauling away. Note the yellow arrow which shows severe internal damage of one of the pilings, which weakened it, and also the external damage where about 1/3 of the piling girth was eaten away. The second photo below shows a view from the other end, revealing the smaller girth at the end of the piling. (Click on a photo to see a larger copy)
(The following photos courtesy of Eric from Orick)
Once the pilings and stringers were installed, the decking was laid, then the tops of the pilings were cut evenly.
Once the pilings and stringers were installed, the decking was laid, then the tops of the pilings were cut evenly.
Next, the pvc wrapping on the pilings were continued to end within 8" of the decking. This was followed by installation of new slip poles and new piling caps. Lastly, new water lines were installed using Schedule 80 pipe (per Phil Lutzi's suggestion). Schedule 80 pipe has thicker walls, and is therefore expected to be more durable when exposed to the harsh Floridian conditions.
(The following images are courtesy of Dick Cunningham, John Weber and Orick.)
(The following images are courtesy of Dick Cunningham, John Weber and Orick.)
The Fishing Pier and River Docks
Next, the pilings were installed for the Fishing Pier and the decking was laid at the same level as the seawall. The new pilings for Dock #24 can be seen in the background.
New benches were built for the Fishing Pier using the same material as for the decking. The chain across the northern end has not yet been re-installed, but will be soon.
The river docks were completed next, as shown below:
The East Lagoon
When the Orick crew tackled the East Lagoon, only the decking was removed from the North end docks, as those docks were built recently (2010). Then, after removing all traces of the old docks at the south end, new pilings were driven for them.
Finally, the stringers and decking were laid and the dock accessories were added, putting the finishing touches on the East Lagoon.
