Dock Builders in Lighthouse Point, FL

Lighthouse Point is small, about 2.4 square miles, but a large part of it sits on canals dug in the 1950s and 1960s, which keeps dock builders busy on nearly every street. The Intracoastal separates the city from Hillsboro Beach, and Hillsboro Inlet gives owners a quick route offshore. Wikipedia notes boats here are within about 40 miles of Bimini, so many docks in Lighthouse Point serve real offshore boats, not just weekend runabouts.

Older docks, newer boats

A dock framed decades ago was often sized for a smaller boat. Today the boat may be longer and heavier, and the dock takes more load from lines, fenders and people loading gear. When we inspect a Lighthouse Point dock we look at three things in order: the pilings at the waterline, where marine borers and wet-dry cycles do their damage; the stringers and joists, especially at fasteners; and the decking surface.

If the pilings are sound, replacing the framing and deck is often the practical route. If pilings are soft or split near the tide line, they usually need to be replaced or wrapped before any new framing goes on.

What the city asks for

The city's checklist for dock and seawall permits spells out much of the paperwork. Replacing stringers or framing requires two signed and sealed sets of plans, and a concrete dock requires three. Outside agency approvals from Broward County, the Florida DEP or the Army Corps of Engineers may be needed. Before final inspection, an updated survey must show the seawall height and the dock length.

The checklist also notes a federal Longshore insurance requirement for work over navigable waters, which state workers' compensation does not satisfy. Ask any contractor you are considering about it, and look for the license number on the written estimate.

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Lifts for offshore boats

Because so many owners here run the inlet, boat lifts are a frequent request. A lift keeps the hull clean and out of the water during storms and between trips. The right size depends on loaded weight with fuel, gear and engines, not the brochure dry weight. We also check how the lift will sit relative to neighbors on narrow canals and whether the existing wall can take the added load.

Seawalls under the county standard

Broward County's tidal flood barrier standard sets a five foot NAVD88 minimum for new or substantially repaired walls, and owners must keep barriers in good repair. In a canal city, one low or leaking wall lets tide water reach the street and the next lot, which the county treats as a nuisance. When a dock project touches the wall, we measure its height so you know where it stands.

Decking choices

Composite decking is common on rebuilt Lighthouse Point docks because it resists splinters and needs less sealing. Pressure-treated lumber costs less up front and is easy to repair. Either way, the framing underneath decides how long the dock lasts.