Dock Panels

3D-printed replacement decking for the boathouse dock

Why Replace the Boards?

The old wooden dock boards in my boathouse are weathered, trap dirt and hold standing water. With the pigeon problem on top of that, keeping them clean is a constant job.

I wanted decking that lasts, feels good underfoot, drains properly and can simply be hosed clean, so I designed my own and printed it.

The boathouse is getting a new entrance door too, so the panels will live indoors, out of the weather.

The Design

SLOTTED TOP SURFACE

Rows of rounded slots let water drain straight through, and the rounded edges keep the surface comfortable on bare feet.

FUNNEL CELLS UNDERNEATH

The underside is a grid of funnel-shaped cells that guide water down and out through drain slots, while the ribbed grid keeps each panel stiff and strong.

EASY TO CLEAN

Smooth plastic doesn't soak up grime the way old wood does. A quick hose-down and the panels are clean again.

BUILT TO LAST

• Printed in ABS for toughness and durability

• 12-inch square panels, sized to make full use of the QIDI Plus5's large print bed

• Designed for an indoor boathouse, out of direct sun

Status: prototype printed. Production panels will be printed in ABS.