Dock Construction

Understanding Erosion Control Options for Gulf Coast Properties Seawall construction and riprap systems are the two primary approaches to shoreline erosion control on the Gulf Coast, and choosing between them comes down to site geometry, erosion severity, and how the shoreline needs to function alongside the dock and outdoor living areas. Riprap absorbs wave energy gradually through mass and stone placement. A seawall holds the bank directly with a vertical barrier. Both work, but for…

Structural Features That Improve Storm Resilience Talk to anyone who has lost a dock to a hurricane and they will tell you the same thing: it happened fast. One day it was there, solid as it had ever been. Then the storm came through, and what was left afterward wasn’t worth much. The thing is, most of those losses were not inevitable. They were the result of decisions made years earlier, during the build, when…

Comparing Maintenance, Lifespan, and Structural Strength At some point early in the planning process for a new dock, the material question comes up. Wood or something else. For a long time on the Gulf Coast, that question answered itself. Wood was what everyone used. It was what every dock builder knew how to work with, it was available everywhere, and the alternatives that exist today simply were not on the market yet. That history is…

How to Plan a Durable, Low Maintenance Dock for Gulf Coast Conditions Here on the Florida Gulf Coast, the water is beautiful and the conditions are brutal. Salt air gets into everything. Storm surges roll through without much warning. The sun bakes exposed surfaces day after day, year after year. Anyone who has owned a waterfront property for any length of time knows that the Gulf Coast does not go easy on the things you…

When you’re planning a dock, pier, or boathouse along Florida’s Gulf Coast, one of the biggest decisions involves choosing between aluminum and steel for your structural components. Both materials have earned their place in marine construction, but they perform very differently in our saltwater environment. At HMP Marine, we’ve worked extensively with both materials throughout Pensacola and the surrounding coastal areas, and understanding their distinct characteristics can save you both money and headaches down the…