Dock Builders in Cortez, FL

Cortez has been a fishing village since families from Carteret County, North Carolina, settled it in the 1880s, and dock builders here work around boats that actually go to work. The village sits at the end of a peninsula with Anna Maria Sound to the west, Palma Sola Bay to the north and Sarasota Bay to the south, sheltered by Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.

Dock repair for hard-used docks

Docks in Cortez see more traffic and more loading than a typical backyard dock. The repairs we see most are:

• Decking worn through or split
• Cleats and bollards pulling loose
• Rub boards and fenders chewed up
• Pile caps cracked from side loads
• Ladders and steps corroded

We repair with heavier hardware and lumber where the use calls for it.

Historic district

The Cortez Historic District, designated in 1995, runs from Cortez Road to Sarasota Bay between 119th Street W and 124th Street Court W. If your home is in the district, check whether exterior work needs any extra review before you plan changes along the waterfront. We can supply drawings and descriptions for that process.

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Storm history

In October 1921, a hurricane estimated at Category 3 or 4 almost completely destroyed the Cortez waterfront, which had to be rebuilt. Waterfront structures here have been rebuilt before, and many owners want the next one built to take a hit. We favor bolted connections, deeper piles and decking that lets water pass.

Waters around the village

The state rule for Manatee County lists Anna Maria Sound from SR 64 to Cortez Road and the western, southern and northern parts of Palma Sola Bay as year-round slow speed zones. The village counted 4,121 residents in 2020, and of its 5.11 square miles, 2.88 are water.

Seawalls along the village waterfront

Many village lots have seawalls, some of them old. A dock carrying working boats puts extra load on the wall it connects to. We check caps, joints and the toe when we inspect the dock, and include any wall repair in the scope.

Floats for small craft

A floating dock beside a fixed one can make it easier to load a skiff or launch a kayak. We anchor floats to pilings so they rise and fall with the tide and stay off the bottom.

Working around a working waterfront

Cortez is busy with boats coming and going. We schedule pile driving and material deliveries so they do not block channels or neighbors' slips any longer than needed.

Lift choices for work boats

Work boats are often heavier for their length than pleasure boats, and they come and go on a schedule. A lift with good capacity margin and a reliable motor keeps the hull out of the water between trips without slowing you down. We size it to the boat with its normal load aboard.

Pilings and lifts

We replace worn pilings and install lifts for both work and pleasure boats. Call (941) 213-5801 to set up a visit.