Building A Salt Water Wharf/deck

bradero

Most wharfs here in Maine on the ocean are built from pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine. Although the local fishermen are using native red oak. white oak would be preferred but is scarce...Where I am building the wharf it is tidal, with no water at low tide, and up to 10ft at high tide. Hence, a drying out period, and there is no Doredo worm infestation/concerns...I have observed that red oak pilings do well and was thinking of using red oak for the entire project, including stringers and decking...I have a source that can supply me with very reasonably priced hardwood trees, including maple, ash, birch and beech, as well as red oak. I will have them cut to size here locally...The pilings are to be 10" to 14" round. The stringers are 4"x 10", and the decking is 3"x 8". We will be able to drive vehicles over it...Question: As long as I seal the wood does anyone see any problems in using any of these hardwoods? Most dock owners along the coast say that a dayly rinse of salt water will preserve the wood...A decking made out of local various hardwoods could be quite the finish! But, does ayone foresee any problems?

neolitic

Be patient and if someone knows
about this they'll answer here
sooner or later.
Meanwhile...Google is your friend!
I came up with this on my first try.
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pd...7_lebow002.pdf
Try any search terms you can
think of, there is a lot of info
out there.

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Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Teetorbilt

It would rot pretty rapidly down here. I'd ask the locals for their opinion, it could last forever where you are.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

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wink

my guess would be if the local fisherman are using it, there must be a reason. take a walk along the waterfront and talk to people to see what has worked the best. i do know that wodden boats that are kept in saltwater last longer than thoes that aren't. you might check with the mystic seaport website they know quit abit about wood and saltwater.

deckman22

I'd bet the hardwood will last longer than treated yellow pine. Most kilns are set up for 1 1/2" lumber, so larger timbers will not get dried properly to take treatment. If you do decide to use treated lumber use the old cca lumber not the new stuff, cca treated lumber is still available just has to be special ordered in most cases.

For pilings I'd look for creasoted (sp?) ones if you can get them. Of the saltwater docks I've repaired those pilings always were in better shape than the treated pilings. Also look for pilings that come from the center of the tree, the heartwood of any lumber always last longer.

A few years ago when involved with a conservation association we dismantled some shrimpboats, cutting them up with chainsaws/saw saws & taken to landfills. Most of these were old wooden boats & the wood was mainly mahogany & in very good shape for their age. I saved some & made shadowbox trophy cases for our org.

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Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

billy d

Hi Bradero built a few of these in an ideal world green hart is the timber you would use.Now the reality check if you haven not got a bank balance like bill gates stand by with a pace maker.Elm is a good water resistant but does like being wet dry,wet dry.Teetorbilt and Wink have it right talk to the locals best the fishermen.I have built a few boats for those guys they never scimpe the job but they never give a dollar out where 50cents will do and that 50cents has to earn its way back.So if they are using oak.It costs nothing to talk.Another thing to think about is your fastenings try to keep them all the same(ie)do not mix the metals stainless steel bolts and galvanized nails if you do because of the salt water you come into a thing called the galvanic series.This is where the noble metal causes the lease noble metal to rot a lot faster.The best metal you can use is 316 marine grade stainless steel.Hope this has helped you a little bit enjoy your self have fun.

billy d

Hi Bradero.Sorry but that should read.Does not like being wet dry,wet dry,Hope I did not screw up to much,have fun