Just a lee project for the weekend. This started out as three PVC pipes stuck about six-feet up in the air from the dock. They wiggled a bit too since they didn't have any filler inside. Eventually, I decided there was no real compelling reason to have them so high, so I cut them down to 15-inches or so, then added on the cross-tee, eight-inch extensions, and caps all around.
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| A Bollard in the Making |
Not to mention the two pieces of 3/8-inch rebar inside each one (they go down below the dock about five-feet). There's also two pieces of rebar in the cross-bars of each bollard.
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| Ready for Rebar and Concrete |
That's what those things are called - 'bollard' - an ancient nautical term for a short vertical post for mooring a boat or ship. Wikipedia says the term probably comes from the Norman-French 'Boulard' meaning 'post'.
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| Last One Ready for Rebar and Concrete |
Of course, I had assistance while working on this project. Carlos was available this morning to help. I had originally scheduled him to help on Friday morning, but as things happen, Lano's Hardware said they were unable to get the 4" cross-tees till this morning. I told Carlos to come about 8:30 AM or so to give me time to go to Lano's to pick them up. Of course, when I got to Lano's, Kim said, no they don't have them. I'd have to cobble something together that aesthetically, just would look like crap. So, they did refund my money. I then tried Villas - no go there. Then I went over to National, losing hope in the process and wondering if I was going to have to tell Carlos no go again. Anyway, I described what I wanted - three thin-walled, 4" PVC cross-tees. Not a problem. I bought them and went on my way happy as a lark.
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| All Three Are Completed |
After I got home we promptly got to work. Carlos began cutting rebar and mixing cement, sand, chippings, and water into a soupy concrete slurry to pour down the pipes easily. I began gluing the various pieces together. I had earlier cut several 8-inch pieces of pipe so that all that would be ready when we started.
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| Finished |
It all went together like clockwork. Carlos tied the rebar bits together and poured concrete down the tube as I guided the slurry going in so we didn't waste too much. Then I glued on the final cap and we moved on to the next one. All together, the project took about two hours to complete.
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| Looks Good to Me |
Next comes the mooring cleats that Chuck already provided for me. The final piece will be the swing-up boarding ladder. I'm not going to explain it now. You'll just have to wait and see.
