About Shore Tech

A different approach to the waterfront.

Dave's background in petrochemical, industrial, and commercial marine construction gives Shore Tech a different approach from many traditional lake contractors. Rather than simply repeating what has always been done, Shore Tech evaluates the site, materials, soil, pressure, and intended use before recommending a construction method.

"The strongest projects come from understanding what's actually pushing on the structure — not from copying what was built last time."

Shore Tech was built on the discipline of commercial marine — petrochemical docks, ship-channel structures, industrial waterfront — where the wrong material or substructure is expensive to undo. That discipline now shapes everything we build, whether it's a luxury boathouse or a municipal pier.

Crane and barge fabrication work reflecting Shore Tech's commercial and industrial marine roots
Commercial Roots

From the ship channel to the lake.

The discipline that built petrochemical docks and ship-channel structures — crane and barge work, heavy substructures, material specified to immersed service — is the same discipline Shore Tech now brings to a private boathouse or a subdivision shoreline.

History & Record

A waterfront company shaped by decades in the field.

Dave Thomson has worked in land and marine construction design and engineering since the late 1970s, beginning in piping and structural work along the Houston Ship Channel before marine leadership roles and a return to Texas shoreline construction.

Late 1970s

Dave's design and engineering experience begins in industrial and marine construction.

250+ boathouses

Designed across the lake systems and waterways of Texas and Louisiana.

850+ projects

Shoreline and marine construction projects attributed to the Shoretech team.

Regional water

Lake Livingston, Conroe, Houston County Lake, Palestine, Nacogdoches, Houston and the Trinity and San Jacinto rivers.

Philosophy

What we mean by engineering-informed.

01

Engineering-informed construction

Field judgment shaped by structural understanding — and outside engineering firms when stamped calculations are required.

02

Heavy-duty marine methods

Substructures designed for storm loads, not just calm-day appearance.

03

Practical field innovation

Open-gable cooling, flying-buttress supports, retrievable flood ramps, pumped backfill — solutions developed because the standard approach was not good enough.

04

Site-specific design

Soil, water, exposure, intended use — every project starts at the property.

05

Residential elegance, commercial strength

A residential boathouse engineered to the same discipline as a ship-channel structure.

06

Long-term durability

The right material for 25 years of service — not the cheapest material for the first season.

Best way to start? Call Dave.

Marine projects are highly site-specific. The best first step is a conversation about the shoreline, water depth, soil, access, and what you want the finished project to do.