Install PVC Boat Pilings for $170

PVC boat pilings make an excellent protector to add around your property to prevent boats from getting damaged from a steel seawall. I have found 6” pvc to be adequate to keep up to 30’ vessels protected on a protected canal. This system against ’open water’ would probably require larger pipe.
Many lakes and municipalities may require permitting prior to doing this DIY project.
I installed 8” poly boat cleats on the face of the seawall to secure the vessel more securely than tying off to the pvc pipe alone. I installed them to the face after stubbing my foot against a surfaced mounted cleat.
A 10’ x 1” steel pipe (possibly the most expensive tool on this job) w/a 90 degree adapter to a sump pump hose and a sump pump is used to ‘jet’ a hole in the lake bottom prior to installing the pipe. As a kid we used the pipe to jet in wood pilings before pvc was so popular.
My other trick is to take an adapter from 6 inch PVC to sump pump hose, also in a 90° fitting (another expense tool) to add weight and water flow through the pipe to help it drill into the lake bottom. As you can see in the video I used a circular saw to cut teeth into the end of the PVC to allow it to cut into the soil quicker and easier.
Hi! I’m Blair Gilbert, aka MR. HARDWARE. As a third-generation hardware store owner, licensed builder, and finish carpenter, my mission is to help you “do it right the first time!” On this site, I share expert home and yard DIY advice in over 200 videos. I can fix and repair your problems.
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[@FtLMale1]

About 10 years ago in S. Florida, I assisted on replacing the rotted wood dock posts using 6" PVC. We used just a single jetting pipe placed inside the 10' PVC (no bottom saw cut). The pipe was jetted down, added a coupler and 5' section added and continued the process until proper depth/height. Then one bag of dry mix concrete poured in, followed by rebar and mixed concrete until full, topped off with concrete crown. Before it set up fully, we drilled and installed galvanized lag bolts to secure the existing dock to the post. With the concrete and rebar for strength and the PVC for boat protection, I think we have the perfect long term solution to dock pilings rot.

[@trainroomgary]

This is a good example of why the best day of boat ownership, "Is the day you buy the boat & the day you sell the boat" 😎 • Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@michaelsimpson9779]

Nice work

[@reignman0311]

Great idea sir but what about a hi- pressure washer on the pipe in the middle of the PVC, won't that pretty much send it down faster with the pressure pushing the mud away quicker? just a thought :)

[@MrHardware1]

It takes a volume of water to evacuate the mud, not high pressure water/lower volume.

[@Sysiphus777]

Not bad, my friend.

[@edwinwilkerson6051]

excellent video ..thank you, please make more...you were able to not tell your life story or use sarcasm

[@bryanfreed7891]

You ever try pulling vacuum on top of the pvc and see if the pipe will sink itself?

[@MrHardware1]

I just don’t have access to that kind of equipment. It’ll be interesting but what happens when the mud hits the top of the pipe?

[@chasedanger9734]

Why not drop the jet pipe down the hollow pvc pipe?

[@MrHardware1]

I’ve done that too, the weight and twisting world better for me.

[@Don-ce2mm]

Could you fill the pipes with concrete?

[@MrHardware1]

I guess so, but after 25 years, from when I installed them the first time, they work fine empty.

[@Cc-qi1ou]

Do u have to get permit from State of MI?

[@MrHardware1]

I believe so, yes.

[@williamterry3177]

If you are on a dock brushing your teeth in Michigan, you need a permit

[@PatPeezy904]

Bro if u don't put that lil ass pole in the water.....