Boat Docks — Frankston
Boat Docks in Frankston, TX
Custom boat docks, boat lifts, and waterfront structures built to last — from personal lakefront docks to full marina installations.
Boat Docks in Frankston: what to expect
South Lake Palestine docks near Frankston are designed around two realities: UNRMWA permitting that governs every shoreline alteration, and water-level swings that make piling length and freeboard non-negotiable design decisions. The silt-prone Caney Point and Sandy Beach coves often need depth cleared at the slip before the dock is useful — we pair cove dredging with dock builds here more than anywhere else on the lake.
- UNRMWA shoreline-alteration submittal is included in every Frankston dock contract — we handle the packet and track the agency cycle.
- Pilings are sized for Lake Palestine's drawdown range, not just the full-pool waterline, so the dock stays functional in a drought year.
- On silted south-end coves we sonar-check depth at the proposed slip location before finalizing piling placement; if the access depth is inadequate we scope the dredge alongside the dock.
- Fixed frames are the standard here where the cove is sheltered and depth holds; articulating components are added where drawdown exposure at a given lot warrants them.
- Anderson County lot access from Hwy 155 means we stage equipment efficiently — most Frankston builds are accessible without a full barge mobilization.
Boat Docks on the ground in Frankston
South Lake Palestine coves silt in faster than the main body — the Anderson and Cherokee county sides see fine sediment buildup from the upper Neches drainage, and many lots run a 10–15 year dredge cycle. UNRMWA permitting applies to anything in the shoreline jurisdiction, and we coordinate the shoreline-alteration packet on every Frankston dredge. Bulkhead replacements are a common pairing — stabilizing the bank at the same time prevents fresh sediment from washing right back into the just-cleared cove.
Recent work near: Caney Point, Sandy Beach, Hilltop Lakes, Hwy 155 corridor.
All Frankston, TX waterfront work →What affects the price in Frankston
- Dock size, shape, and total square footage
- Decking material — pressure-treated, composite, or aluminum
- Number and type of pilings (wood, steel, or concrete)
- Boat lift size and capacity
- Water depth and bottom conditions
Quick FAQ
Full FAQ →What permits are needed for a boat dock?
Texas dock permits depend on which body of water you're on:
- Cedar Creek Lake — Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD). Typical cycle: 3–6 weeks.
- Lake Athens — Athens Municipal Water Authority (AMWA). 2–4 weeks; strict cap-elevation rules.
- Lake Palestine — Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority (UNRMWA). 3–5 weeks.
- Lake Tyler — City of Tyler shoreline office. Pre-clearance required before fabrication.
- Richland-Chambers — TRWD (same as Cedar Creek, different shoreline plan). 3–6 weeks.
- Private impoundments — Usually no agency permit, but HOA architectural review still applies.
We pull every permit as part of the contract — you sign once and we run the agency loop. Full breakdown in our permits article.
What decking material should I choose?
Three serious options:
- Pressure-treated pine — cheapest upfront. Requires annual sealing. Most common.
- Composite — mid-tier price, no sealing, color-stable for 10–15 years.
- Marine-grade aluminum — premium. Stays cooler underfoot, lasts 40+ years, splinter-free.
Families who walk their dock barefoot in July almost always upgrade to composite or aluminum on the second dock. If you'll only own the house for 3–5 years, pressure-treated is the right call.
Can you build a covered dock or boat house?
Yes. We build covered single-slip docks, double-slip boat houses, and open T-head docks. Covered structures need additional permitting on most lake authorities (TRWD on Cedar Creek and Richland-Chambers regulates roof height and cap elevation tightly) — we package that into the application.
If you're considering adding a roof later, tell us at the design stage. Adding a roof to an existing dock often requires structural retrofit of the pilings, which is more expensive than building it covered from day one.
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