Building a Custom Dock Beyond a Mangrove Shoreline in Tarpon Estates
Tarpon Estates is a gated community in southwest Cape Coral, part of the Tarpon Point Marina area. This home sits behind a band of mangroves instead of a seawall, so the dock had to start at the yard and reach usable water on the far side of the trees.
WB Williamson Bros. built an approximately 1,085 square foot WearDeck dock with an access walkway, an angled main deck, and a new 13,000 lb IMM Platinum series lift.
LOCATION
PROJECT TYPE
DOCK
PRIMARY CHALLENGE
The Client’s Situation
With mangroves between the yard and the water, this homeowner couldn’t simply build off the edge of a seawall the way most Cape Coral canal homes do. The owner wanted a large dock and a lift to keep the boat out of the water, and both had to sit out where there was water to use.
What Made This Project Challenging
Getting Past the Mangroves
Mangroves are protected in Florida, so any dock that crosses them has to be designed and permitted around them. Here, a narrow access walkway leads from the yard to the main dock beyond the mangrove line.
Fitting the Dock to the Water
The open water in front of the home doesn’t line up neatly with the lot. Rather than forcing a standard rectangle, the dock follows angled runs that put the deck and lift where the water is.
Keeping a Large Dock Stiff
At more than 1,000 square feet with long runs, the structure needed added lateral bracing.
Our Dock and Lift Solution
After obtaining the dock permits, we built the dock with 5/4” x 6” WearDeck reinforced polymeric decking. The access walkway crosses from the yard to the main deck, which follows angled sections out over open water and includes a raised platform area. Six sets of cross bracing were installed under the dock to stiffen the long runs.
The dock was finished with a black double run poly rope safety rail, black piling caps, one retractable aluminum ladder, four rope disconnects, and two cleats. The dark rail and caps against the light WearDeck give the dock a clean, tailored look.
A Boat Lift Beyond the Mangrove Shoreline
The 13,000 lb IMM Platinum series lift sits on four new 10 inch lift piles in a slip along the main dock, out in the open water. It has a 12’6” cradle with factory standard aluminum bunks, stainless steel hardware, maintenance free aluminum pulleys and bearing blocks, and a gem box, remote, and safety limit switch.
The Finished Result
The home now has a large dock and a boat lift out in open water, reached by a walkway from the yard. The owner can walk out from the house, step aboard, and lower the boat from the dock.
See more of our custom docks and boat lift installations.
Materials and Specifications
- Approximately 1,085 sq. ft. dock with access walkway
- 5/4” x 6” WearDeck reinforced polymeric decking
- 13,000 lb IMM Platinum series lift, 12’6” cradle, factory standard aluminum bunks
- Four new 10” lift piles
- Stainless steel hardware, maintenance free aluminum pulleys and bearing blocks
- Gem box, remote, and safety limit switch
- Black double run poly rope safety rail
- One retractable aluminum ladder, four rope disconnects, and two cleats
- Six sets of cross bracing
- Dock permits obtained by WB Williamson Bros.
Planning a Dock Behind Mangroves
Many homes in southwest Cape Coral and along the Caloosahatchee back up to mangroves instead of a seawall. If yours does:
- Expect a longer permitting process. The dock design and walkway route will be reviewed with the mangroves in mind.
- Plan the walkway route early. It determines where the main dock can go.
- Let water depth decide the location. The main deck and lift need enough depth for your boat at low tide.
- Be open to an angled layout. It often fits a natural shoreline better than a rectangle.
Let's Talk About Your Project
Since 1996, WB Williamson Bros. has designed and built docks and boat lifts for homes across Cape Coral and Southwest Florida, on seawalled canals and natural shorelines alike. Our team can help you plan a dock and lift that fit your property.
Call 239-283-2013 or fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation.