Build your own floating dock — weekend-friendly and budget-smart.
If you’ve dreamed of stepping out onto your own private dock — to fish, swim, or sip coffee in the morning sun — you can make it happen yourself. With the right DIY floating dock plans, quality floats, and a weekend of effort, you can create a safe, sturdy, and beautiful dock for your waterfront property.
This guide walks you through planning, materials, anchoring, and assembly so you can get started with confidence.
Decide how you’ll use your dock and how it should fit your shoreline.
Pro tip: Check local regulations and permits before you begin.
The floats are the foundation of your dock’s buoyancy and stability. This is where quality matters most.
Frame options: Pressure-treated or pest-resistant lumber (classic, cost-effective) or aluminum (lightweight, corrosion-resistant).
Decking: Wood for a warm, natural, classic look; composite or aluminum are other options.
Anchoring keeps your dock stable and secure in changing conditions.
Mooring screw anchor diagram showing placement relative to dock corners. Choose anchoring bsed on depth, current, and local regulations.
DIYer assembling a floating dock frame with floats attached. Weekend-friendly build: frame, floats, decking, anchor, launch.
Finished floating dock with wooden decking on a sunny lake. Finish strong: a stable, great-looking dock you built yourself.
Our AquaMax Floating Dock Kits include floats, hardware, and instructions — you add the decking. We ship tariff-free across the United States and offer lift-gate delivery to your driveway.
In many areas, yes. Rules vary by state/county and by lake authority. Always check with your local permitting office; some waterways require environmental approval as well.
Capacity depends on float count and spacing. AquaMax air-filled floats are conservatively rated at 500 lbs of buoyancy each, which you can use to calculate safe load for your layout.
Air-filled (AquaMax) are repairable, feature 3/16″ thick walls, and are UV-protected. Foam-filled options are typically not repairable and can absorb water over time, reducing buoyancy.
Common modules are 4’×12’, 4’×16’, and 6’×16’. Choose based on intended use, shoreline space, and water depth. Modular builds let you expand later.
Pick based on conditions: mooring screw anchors (calm lakes/bays), pile brackets & pilings (deeper/rougher water), or post & bracket stabilization (shallow areas).
With quality materials and proper maintenance, expect 20+ years. Heavy-duty, UV-protected floats and galvanized marine hardware extend service life.
Yes. Most DIYers assemble a dock in a weekend with standard tools. AquaMax kits include floats, hardware, and instructions — you provide the decking.
Watch our video to find out why the Best Floating Dock Kits are for sale here!
Wholesale Prices Available with Minimum Order
Crafting your very own floating dock has never been easier and more reliable, thanks to Emax Plastics DIY Floating Dock Kits. Our time-tested solutions streamline the ordering process, making it as straightforward as selecting the size or design you desire. With just a few clicks, you can have all the essential components added to your cart: recommended floats and Marine Grade Hardware, all tailored to your chosen design.
But here’s the real beauty of it: these kits do not include the lumber or decking, allowing you the freedom to source these materials locally, suiting your wood grade preferences and budget.
For stability and security, you might also need mooring hardware to anchor your new dock in place. To address this, take a look at our Anchor page, where you can find descriptions of anchoring types as well as our own anchors and installation tools.
If you ever find yourself in need of guidance or have questions along the way, our knowledgeable and dedicated staff are here to assist you throughout your dock-building journey. At Emax Plastics, we are not just providing kits; we are your partners in creating the perfect floating haven.
"I do find EMAX floats quite robust, I have never had any issues with them leaking. We have plans to use the EMAX floats exclusively on our Dock spines at SBYC over the next few years. I also find them easy to work with during construction."
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