This Weekend's Project - Kill a Sea Wall - The Hull Truth

autobaun70 · 09-08-2006, 12:15 AM

The people who used to own my house evidently knew jack about materials, and used plain ole steel for dead man anchors for the sea wall, which have let go and are about to cause a mess, especially with the rain we have had lately. This weekend I plan to rip the thing down, and replace with rip rap, after some minor grading. Only one minor problem, there is a tree that is at one end, that kinda needs the dirt to keep from falling in the water. Also, the sea wall to one side of the dock apears to be fine, would you rip it down and put in rip rap there as well to match, or leave it be? I will be doing the work myself, being that I have access to lots of cool free equipment, and will only have to supply the rip rap, labor, and beer necessary to complete the project.

This is the section that looks to be ok. It apears to be ok, and I would like to retain as much of it as possible simply because it is handy to dock shallow draft boats & jet ski's on when the water is up. Worst case, I will keep the section to the far left.

This is the view from the dock. The wall used to come to the top of the uprights, however the water pressure forced us to have to cut it down by a few boards last summer.

This is a slightly differient view from the dock. If you look in the center of the picture you can see the hold that has started to form due to the lack of support from the wall.

This shot is from the floating (barely floating that is) dock.

This pick shows how much the wall is bowed out.

as does this one.......

This pic shows the neighbors existing rip rap shoreline. the bare ground below the rocks is temporary due to construction on the dam of lake murray, and should soon rise. My goal is to have a visually pleasing transition from their lot to mine.

Luckily I have access to equipment, and know how to use a grade level, which should make this project pretty easy, however I would like any tips from those who have done similar projects on how to make it be the most visually pleasing.

Garett · 09-08-2006, 10:27 AM

I'm confussed, on one hand you want the sea wall and yet you don't and on the other hand you want the rock and yet you don't, how are you figureing you can get both?

But to pass comment on you have the equipement to do the job easily.....do the whole damnn job once and be done with the thing. IMPO doing only half of it will only make the other half look ...... well it would piss me off that I didn't do the whole job in the first place.

autobaun70 · 09-08-2006, 10:40 AM

I would rather have a sea wall than the rock, but there isn't a good way of doing this short of several truck loads of concrete, and an extensive anchor system (expensive). The section to the right of the dock is fine, I would like to keep about half of it to dock jet ski's and jon boats on when the water is up.

dwg2116 · 09-08-2006, 02:41 PM

Put in a vinyl bulkhead w/tiebacks and be done with it forever.

http://www.northstarvinyl.com/vinyl_seawall.asp

Garett · 09-08-2006, 03:16 PM

Personally I like Dale's suggestion. As far as matching your neighbor's, heck with that, have him/ them playing catch-up to you.

Now I have no real knowledge of this sort of matter, but I would have to think if you installed the vinyl seawall you'd add very good value to your property....I'd be guesstimating a dollar in and four to seven bucks out, which is pretty darn good.

autobaun70 · 09-08-2006, 05:46 PM

the vinyl idea may be a good idea down the road, but the situation right now is one of needing to get it done quick, before any more yard is lost. The rip rap is also much less expensive, making it more feasable at this time.

Garett · 09-08-2006, 07:12 PM

Ok so why don't you rip rap the whole thing and install a small finger dock?

autobaun70 · 09-08-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Garett - 9/8/2006 6:12 PM

Ok so why don't you rip rap the whole thing and install a small finger dock?

can't get a permit for that, if I could, you better believe I would have some serious dockage.

Huck BB62 · 09-09-2006, 06:39 AM

How about a floating dock? That wouldn't take a permit would it? Here on the Alsea River, that's the only alternative. I like the vinyl wall, your wall would probably last long enough for you to get that project together. It looks like you have the luxury of a long period of time to build anything that you want, how about forming up and pouring a concrete wall, deadmen and all? The rip rap looks nasty.

Haifischjager · 09-09-2006, 01:14 PM

The only major problem with laying down rock like your neighbor's is that in extreme rainfall events excessive runoff will cause the bank to erode. Just haphazardly placing rocks don't hold soil well although they do protect the soil from the initial impact of rain droplets which causes splash detachment and can start erosion. If you can get the same lattice-like rip rap blocks like those on the ICW, lay them tightly together, then plant a hardy grass like Bermuda in the open spaces in the lattice, I think that would do a much better job and look aesthetically pleasing too. Cost is another issue though.

I have experience and education in soil erosion control but I'm not saying I know everything. I just know that engineered structures fail and vegetative abatements work well. A hybrid (engineered+vegetative) structure would be best IMHO.

Just a thought.

Ryan

autobaun70 · 09-09-2006, 01:20 PM

I've gotten about half way into the project, and it turns out that the wall itself isnt in nearly as bad of shape as I thought it was, I am now toying with the idea of just digging it out this week, and pulling back in the failing wall, and then exploring my options on ways to vent the water that collects on the inland side of the wall during a heavy rain. My father should be down in a couple of hours, the final call will be his, as it is his house.