Dockside DIY

How to Build a Homemade Boat Cover That Actually Fits?

Trent Hollis · August 6, 2026 I’ve spent twenty years on Gulf Coast docks building, repairing, and protecting boats from salt spray, UV, and storm damage. One question I hear constantly is whether it’s worth building a homemade boat cover versus buying one ready-made.

How to Make an Eye Splice in Three-Strand Rope: A Permanent Loop That Won’t Fail?

Trent Hollis · July 24, 2026 A marine contractor will charge you $80 to $150 per line to splice an eye loop into your dock line. Spend a Saturday afternoon learning the technique yourself, and you’ve paid for the knowledge in a single boat. The gap between those two numbers isn’t just about labor—it’s about understanding why this particular knot has … Read more Categories Marine Knots & Rope Work Tags marine knots

Do You Need a Permit to Repair a Dock? How I Found Out the Hard Way?

Trent Hollis · July 21, 2026 Back in 2009, a county inspector showed up at a Pensacola Bay dock where I’d just finished replacing twelve rotted deck boards and three corroded brackets. The citation read $1,200 for unpermitted structural work. Two days of labor, and suddenly I owed more in fines than the repair cost in materials. That experience shaped everything … Read more Categories Permits & Waterfront Rules