Replacement wood for Dock?

[The Chemist]

I am going to replace the wood on our dock (4x8 sheets) and was wondering what would be the least expensive way? Was thinking green treated covered w/ carpet. If I use green treated do I need to finish it or can I just lay it in as is and then cover w/ the carpet. Also any ideas on how to make the carpet from ripping/stretching?

[The Chemist]

TTT

[Gissert]

I redid my plywood covered dock about 5 years ago. I used 5/4 standard deck boards. So far, it has held up very well. These boards are quite inexpensive, and should last for years. I put some Thompsons water seal in a bug sprayer, and hit the boards every spring.

If you are going to put carpet down, I would go with plywood as you mentioned.

[gspman]

You could try those plastic/composite deckboards. Not sure of the cost but they should last longer than real wood.

[Wavey Davey]

I replaced the deck on my old steel port-a-dock with what you're considering about 10 to 15 years ago, here are my thoughts about it. I used green treated 1/2" plywood, which has held up OK but will soon need replacing. One problem with treated plywood, it tends to warp and crack. I didn't want to leave it bare because it would be slippery when wet,

so I covered it with outdoor carpet. I'm on my second carpet now and it needs replacing again too. The carpet wears out easy and so does the adhesive.

So, I guess it depends on how much you want to spend and how long you want it to last. The treated plywood and carpet

was fairly easy to install and didn't cost that much, but only will last a few years.

I know I will not use the same when I replace it again. Although it will cost more, I think I'm going to use some type of quality decking material. The no-slip surface plastic stuff makes sense to me, should hold up with no maintenance. If anyone has used it for a dock deck, I'd be interested in hearing how it worked out.

[chucker34]

I just replaced the decking on my dock this year with AC2 (non-arsenic) treated wood. For the 32 foot long dock that is 40 inches wide, it cost me just under $100. It looks nice and isn't too slippery when wet. Though I wouldn't run on it and would be careful after a good rain.

The guy at home depot recommended the treated wood if I wasn't going with cedar. And he said the only problem with composite decking was that it was very heavy, much heavier than cedar and somewhat heavier than treated wood. He offered to let me feel the difference by picking up a piece of each but I politely declined.

[The Chemist]

Thanks everyone. After a long weekend I got the dock finished and in the water on Monday. $215 later. 4 sheets 5/8" green treated plywood; 100- 1/4" carriage bolts, nuts and washers; 5- 3/8" bolts, nuts, lock washers and washers, 3 cans of spray paint; water repellent for wood; and 1 replacement tire/tube. Spent most of my time looking for the replacement tire. Dock looks good as new but didn't get much fishing done. Oh well little over a week until Memorial Weekend and my week of vacation.

Thanks again.

[Borch]

Pete you didn't miss much.

At least the dock is done for when the fishing picks up.

Borch

[The Chemist]

Saturday afternoon I went out in the boat. Was out trolling and went between the 2 points. Not a real good idea. I haven't seen the waves that high in a few years.