Stationary System:
Piers You Can Design and Install Yourself

How to Plan Your Pier and Determine What You Will Need

1. First, determine the length of post you will need:
   1. The water must be measured from the surface of the water to a firm bottom. DON'T GUESS OR ESTIMATE! Mark water depths at each post location when you draw your pier layout.
   2. Add 3 1/2 feet to the depth measurement of the water to determine post length. This allows for 1 1/2 feet of post augured into the lake bottom, ad 2 feet above the water's surface.
   3. If a hand rail is desired, add 1 1/2 feet to the depth measurement. You will have a post high enough to have a rope rail 2 1/2 feet from the deck (the rope fits through the turning bar hole at the top of the post).
2. To determine the required steel component parts:
   1. Decide on pier length and design. Straight, with a "T" or an "L" at the end, or with a boat slip.
   2. 10 foot sections are standard. Unless constrained by other factors, you should think of the pier installation in 10 foot sections.
   3. Each 3' x 10' Section requires two 10' stringers (which run between the crossbars under the decking) and a standard assembly made up of two posts and one crossbar. Two additional posts and a crossbar are required to begin your pier at the shore. More stringers are necessary for wider piers.
3. Additional components for soft lake bottoms:
   1. If a firm bottom cannot be reached in your mud bottom lake, mud plates with stop clamps must be used on the posts installed.
   2. Order one mud plate per post.
4. Deck Panels
   1. Panels come in 5' lengths, so two panels are needed fro every 10' section of pier structure. Standard panels come in width up to 12'.
   2. Each section anchors firmly to the stringers with a simple lock pin through pre-drilled holes.
5. Consider accessories such as 2- 3- and 4-step ladders and pier benches.