Thread: Does Ipe wood float in salt water?

The deck modules of the pier were supposed to float ashore if blown out in a storm. Ipe wood in the new pier design is supposedly too dense to float -- but I hope that was for fresh water and not salt. However even things that don't float get washed up after a storm.

Looking at the videos of damage in Gulf Shores, I see a lot of what look to me as pier panels in the roads.

It does not float due to the density however the panels will barely float because of the framing that is not ipe. I have some cut offs for keepsakes and they are closer to blocks of stone than wood.

From Gulf State Park FB page Friday Sept 18...

"Today our staff really stepped up to the plate! We had work groups all over the park. The “Beach Crew” used strong muscles and heavy equipment to collect 199 pier panels that washed up along the beaches in Gulf Shores and brought them back to the pier! "

They sure seemed to hold together well. Several location number plates can be seen to put back in place...

Thanks for the picture Pier#er. The workmanship and durability of the panels is impressive. I really wish that we had not had such a rigorous test for their durability. Chasing the panels down in water that deep is impressive also.

That looks like Grand Beach Condominium back there in the background. That’s the closest place you can stay at to the pier unless you’re staying at the park lodge. Looks like it made it through with just a little roof shingle damage. Glad to see that, along with the panels being retrieved. Awesome work guys.

Of course the 'elephant under the room' is all the piling, piling caps and trusses (which don't float) after the collapse.
That sizable pile of rubble will have to be removed from the bottom before any rebuilding work can be done...

These panels floated over a mile and a half from the pier...

There's also the chance that the structural integrity of the octi has been compromised and will be taken down because of associated safety matters and because it represents a maritime hazard to boaters. I'm sure that there are qualified professionals who will take on this assessment task, but I'm less confident that along the way we will have the first idea of what's going on or what the plan is.