Boardwalk and Steps
This removable boardwalk was added in 2010, along with pressure treated steps from the beach to the top of the seawall. The whole step structure will need to be removed (dug up) and stored on high ground each year to protect it from ice damage during the winter.
The boardwalk will need to be moved to higher ground any time storm high tides are predicted above the seawall, and may need to be moved to the deck each winter.
It consists of separate sections joined together by polyethylene rope and tied in a square knot at one end. The end sections have 3/4" holes drilled in only one of the cross pieces and are labeled as end pieces underneath. All of the other segments have rope holes drilled in both ends. The short length segment (half the size of the others) belongs on the beach side and seems to work best near the middle of the segments.
The boardwalk is assembled by stringing each section starting at one end and tightening them together as much as possible along the way, like pearls on a necklace. When the opposite end is strung in, one end can be lifted up and the rope ends tied in a square knot. Then, at both ends bungee cords attach the rope to eye bolts in the solid end of the segment, placing tension along the entire rope and pulling the sections together. The segment can then be dropped down in place and all the remaining segments snugged together, using the built-in tension on the rope. Final adjusting is done by lifting any joined section and shoveling a little sand underneath it for support. Just for grins, I took a short video of the shower end, showing the tensioning bungees and the way they pull the segments together. (Note: In 2013 I replaced the bungees with a steel spring and turnbuckle arrangement, due to yearly replacement of decayed bungees.)
To disassemble the entire board walk, simply lift up the end closest to the deck, release the bungees, untie the knot then pull the segments away from the rope. They can be stored inside the house if needed.
Construction method (for future reference):
The materials for this were cut to size and pre-drilled at home. They all fit into the trunk of my Maxima, which I used to transport it to the Cape house. With help from Chris and his friend LB we moved large rocks and beach rocks/sand into the low area then just assembled the segments and placed the boardwalk on the ground surface.
BEFORE
AFTER
6/29/10
