Craigen Marine Contractors LLC

Craigen Marine Contractors LLC Craigen Marine Contractors LLC has been the trusted name in custom dock building across the Highland Lakes region since 1982.

Based in Kingsland, Texas, we specialize in designing and constructing your boat dock that fits your needs and budget.

💡 Dock Inspection Tip from Craigen Marine: Gently push on each piling near the waterline — there should be zero give or...
09/03/2026

💡 Dock Inspection Tip from Craigen Marine: Gently push on each piling near the waterline — there should be zero give or wobble. This one test catches more early piling problems than almost anything else you can check without getting in the water. The waterline is where corrosion and stress do the most damage, since it's the spot that cycles between wet and dry the most. If a piling moves even a little when you push on it, that's not something to wait on. Questions about your dock? Call us at (325) 388-2140 or visit craigenmarine.com/contact

Most dock problems give plenty of warning if you know where to look. Here's the homeowner's guide to checking your own dock — and knowing when it's time to bring in a professional.

If you've ever re-tightened the same dock bolt three summers in a row, you already know the frustration. It's not that y...
09/03/2026

If you've ever re-tightened the same dock bolt three summers in a row, you already know the frustration. It's not that you did it wrong the first time — there's actual physics working against you every time you tighten it back down. Dock hardware deals with something almost nothing else on your property has to handle: constant temperature swings, nonstop vibration from boat traffic, and a phenomenon called galvanic corrosion that most homeowners have never even heard of, all happening at once, all the time. Our newest post breaks down exactly why hardware loosens on Highland Lakes docks faster than it should, including the one common mistake that quietly speeds up corrosion between two different types of metal — and what actually stops the cycle instead of just delaying it another season. If you've got a bolt or cleat that just won't stay tight, this one's worth five minutes of your time. Read it here → https://craigenmarine.com/blog/why-dock-hardware-loosens-highland-lakes/ Or call us: (325) 388-2140

It's not bad luck, and it's not a bad tightening job. Here's the actual physics behind why dock hardware loosens on the Highland Lakes — and what stops the cycle for good.

📊 A dock hardware specification fact that explains a lot of rust staining: Electro-galvanized zinc coating thickness: 0...
09/02/2026

📊 A dock hardware specification fact that explains a lot of rust staining: Electro-galvanized zinc coating thickness: 0.2 to 0.5 mils Hot-dip galvanized zinc coating thickness: 3.9+ mils That's a difference of 8 to 20 times more zinc coating on hot-dip galvanized hardware — which translates directly to service life before base steel corrosion begins. Both look similar at installation. Both are called "galvanized" in hardware store descriptions. On a Highland Lakes dock, only hot-dip galvanized provides adequate service life for structural applications. Electro-galvanized is an interior construction specification being applied in a marine environment — and the rust staining that appears within one to two seasons is the predictable result. Full guide to dock hardware specification for the Highland Lakes → https://craigenmarine.com/blog/dock-hardware-stainless-vs-galvanized-highland-lakes/ Or call us: (325) 388-2140

304 vs 316 stainless, hot-dip vs electro-galvanized, aluminum — Craigen Marine explains exactly which dock hardware specification is right for each application on a Highland Lakes dock.

Highland Lakes property owners — what dock feature do you think had the strongest positive effect on your property's val...
09/02/2026

Highland Lakes property owners — what dock feature do you think had the strongest positive effect on your property's value, or what do you wish you'd added before selling? The two-story deck? The covered platform? The outdoor kitchen? Something about the lighting or the lift specification? We're asking because the real-world data from people who've been through Highland Lakes real estate transactions with dock quality as a factor is more useful than any valuation analysis. Drop your experience in the comments. 👇

Covered slips, two-story decks, outdoor kitchens, premium lighting — Craigen Marine explains which dock design ideas add the most property value on the Highland Lakes and why.

A dock rarely fails all at once. It starts small — a board that feels a little softer underfoot, a cleat that's not quit...
09/01/2026

A dock rarely fails all at once. It starts small — a board that feels a little softer underfoot, a cleat that's not quite as tight as it used to be, a wobble near the waterline that wasn't there last spring. Most homeowners walk right past these signs without knowing what they're looking at. The truth is, you don't need to be a contractor to catch problems early. You just need to know the seven places dock trouble usually starts, and what separates a quick fix from something that needs a professional eye. Our latest post walks through exactly that — how to check your pilings for movement, what soft decking is actually telling you, and a simple framework for deciding whether to fix it yourself, keep an eye on it, or call someone in. It's the same walkthrough our crew uses, just written for homeowners. Take fifteen minutes this weekend and walk your dock with the checklist in hand. It's a lot cheaper to catch these things now than after a season of Highland Lakes sun and wave action has its way with them. Read it here → https://craigenmarine.com/blog/diy-dock-inspection-highland-lakes/ Or call us: (325) 388-2140

Most dock problems give plenty of warning if you know where to look. Here's the homeowner's guide to checking your own dock — and knowing when it's time to bring in a professional.

Highland Lakes dock anglers — what's the single fishing feature on your dock that you wish you'd built in from the start...
08/31/2026

Highland Lakes dock anglers — what's the single fishing feature on your dock that you wish you'd built in from the start rather than adding later? Rod holders? A proper cleaning station with drainage and water supply? Electrical conduit for underwater lights? Brush structure dropped during construction? The honest answers from people who've fished their own dock for a few seasons and know what they'd do differently are more useful to owners still planning than any design guide. Drop it in the comments. 👇

Layout, orientation, rod holders, fish cleaning stations, underwater lights, brush structure — Craigen Marine explains how to build genuine fishing capability into a Highland Lakes dock.

When you're comparing dock builder quotes, ask specifically whether the pilings are new hot-dip galvanized steel or recy...
08/29/2026

When you're comparing dock builder quotes, ask specifically whether the pilings are new hot-dip galvanized steel or recycled oil field drill pipe. Recycled drill pipe is cheaper and common enough in this market to ask about by name — but it often carries unknown wall thickness and inconsistent coating, and that piling is the only thing holding your dock to the lakebed. A builder who answers this question clearly, without hesitation, is one worth trusting with the rest of the job. Questions about your own dock? Call Craigen Marine at (325) 388-2140.

Materials, licensing, warranty terms, and real portfolios: here's what actually separates a quality dock builder on the Highland Lakes.

📊 A Highland Lakes property value fact worth knowing before your next dock decision: One of the most widely used buyer ...
08/28/2026

📊 A Highland Lakes property value fact worth knowing before your next dock decision: One of the most widely used buyer valuation methodologies for Lake LBJ properties is replacement cost — what would it cost to buy a similar lot and create a comparable home with dock, landscape, and amenities? That calculation includes the dock at its full replacement cost — not what the previous owner paid, but what it would cost to build it today. A dock designed and built to a quality standard that buyers would replicate — covered structure, quality composite decking, functional lift, premium lighting, compliance documentation — carries its full replacement value in that calculation. A dock that buyers would need to modify or replace carries a discount. Full guide to dock design ideas that increase Highland Lakes property value → https://craigenmarine.com/blog/dock-design-ideas-increase-property-value-highland-lakes/ Or call us: (325) 388-2140

Covered slips, two-story decks, outdoor kitchens, premium lighting — Craigen Marine explains which dock design ideas add the most property value on the Highland Lakes and why.

💡 Dock Hardware Tip from Craigen Marine: If you're replacing fasteners on a Highland Lakes dock with pressure-treated l...
08/27/2026

💡 Dock Hardware Tip from Craigen Marine: If you're replacing fasteners on a Highland Lakes dock with pressure-treated lumber decking, don't use standard zinc-plated screws. Modern pressure-treated lumber uses copper-based preservatives (MCA or CA) that are specifically corrosive to standard galvanized and zinc-plated hardware. The copper compounds in the moisture the PT lumber always contains accelerate zinc coating consumption — producing rust staining on the lumber surface within one to two seasons. The correct specification: hot-dip galvanized ring-shank fasteners (look for G185 designation) or stainless steel screws. They cost slightly more per fastener. They don't stain your deck within two seasons. Questions about your dock hardware? Call us at (325) 388-2140 or visit craigenmarine.com/contact

304 vs 316 stainless, hot-dip vs electro-galvanized, aluminum — Craigen Marine explains exactly which dock hardware specification is right for each application on a Highland Lakes dock.

Before You Hire a Dock Builder, Ask These 7 Questions Body: Every dock bid looks reasonable on paper. The difference bet...
08/27/2026

Before You Hire a Dock Builder, Ask These 7 Questions Body: Every dock bid looks reasonable on paper. The difference between a dock that lasts decades and one that needs rebuilding in year seven almost never shows up in the price — it shows up in the materials, the permitting knowledge, and the warranty terms behind that price. Our latest post breaks down exactly what to ask before you sign a contract with any dock builder on the Highland Lakes: piling type, hardware grade, LCRA permitting familiarity, and what a real warranty should cover. Read the full guide at https://craigenmarine.com/blog/what-makes-a-quality-dock-builder/ or call us directly at (325) 388-2140 to talk through your specific property.

Materials, licensing, warranty terms, and real portfolios: here's what actually separates a quality dock builder on the Highland Lakes.

Address

4249 W. Ranch Road 1431
Kingsland, TX
78639

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13253882140

Website

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