When you dock a speedboat or pontoon, you need to remember some small, but still important details. You must also follow proper procedure, to dock correctly and safely. Before you dock, make sure that your lines are secure and that your passengers are prepared for this procedure.

Bumpers

Remember to mount the bumpers on the side of the boat you dock on. Most boats can get by with just two bumpers, one in front and one in back. Before you dock, remember to check that your lines are on the correct side and placed properly, that the bumpers are where they should be, and that all your passengers have hands and feet fully inside the boat.

Water Current

After you check these things, you will be ready to dock. Check the direction of the current, since you'll want to travel against it. In this way it will be easier to steer the boat, and you won't float into anything when you're tying up. Face the bow of your boat into the current and parallel to your slip. Then ease your motor up just a bit faster than the current is flowing. Steer the boat closer to your spot, while also watching out for objects and other boats.

Ropes

When you are close enough to the dock that someone can jump off, instruct them to secure the boat with the ropes. Make sure they know how to properly tie a boat off. Have them tie off the bow rope first, so the bow won't swing out and clip adjacent boats.

If no one is on board to jump to the dock, and this is something that you are not comfortable doing, just have someone wait on the dock to tie off your boat, after you throw the ropes to them. Make sure that the boat is tied off properly, so no one has to swim out to retrieve it later.

Protection for Dock and Boat

The keel is the part of your boat that is most susceptible to damage, since it's projected out in front. You can use a product known as Keelguard, which creates a flexible barrier to help shield your keel from scratches, corrosion and abrasions. If you don't protect your keel, it can be scratched, which may lead to water damage in the fiberglass laminate of the boat. Keelguard is relatively easy to install with a strong adhesive, and it will help to extend the working life of your boat. Even experienced drivers may occasionally have mishaps caused by waves or wind, and protecting both the dock and the boat will help, when docking.

To protect your dock, you can use dock corner wheels that attach easily to the corners of your dock, and will roll a boat in, in case you happen to approach at an abnormal angle. You can adjust the wheels to different levels of firmness, and they can even make your boat dock look more finished.

Another way to protect your dock and your boat is by using what's known as a Hull Hugr. This is a vinyl, flexible device that will hang along the boat's hull, creating a cushion between that hull and the dock. The device protects the entire hull, and it folds up to store easily on the boat.

Dock fenders act in a similar way to the Hull Hugr, and these can be attached to the side of your boat, creating a barrier between the rough dock edge, and your boat. Dock fenders attach to the boat with a vinyl rope, and they are spaced several feet apart. Once you install them, they will help keep your boat from rubbing against your dock, even when you are pushed by wind and waves. Dock fenders do tend to roll a bit, so you need to watch them, so that your boat doesn't bump the dock.

If you're looking for even more protection than the dock fenders or Hull Hugr can provide, you can also edge your dock with PVC resin that is flexible. This is called dock edging. Dock edging doesn't give you the same recoil, and it will work to cover sharp edges, so that your boat's exterior is protected from minor or major scratches. Dock edging also adds to the finished look of your dock.

Boats are normally a fairly large expense, but they can provide you, your family and your friends with many hours of relaxation. If you want to extend the life of your boat and keep it looking great, protect its exterior and your dock with the proper devices, so that your boat will last a long time.

About the Author

Jane Warren is a water sports enthusiast who enjoys boating, scuba diving and swimming. Out of her love for watersports, she publishes the website TowableTubesDirect.com. This website provides information on water sports equipment including Airhead towable tubes, skis, wakeboards, kayaks and water trampolines. A popular towable is the Airhead Hot Shot water tube, which is great for 2 riders!