While docks keep our boats in one place, they aren't always friendly to our boats. On a wavy or windy day,
your boat can be knocking and scraping up against a dock or a public dock and doing
significant damage. It can all be easily avoided however if you have the proper equipment to prevent dock
damage. We’ve highlighted a few items that your boat should be equipped with to
ensure that you don’t run into that problem.
Boat Fenders
These are likely the most important protective gear that
your boat should have. They act as cushions attached to your boat that you can
throw over the side where you would expect your boat to bump into a dock or
another hard place. of your boat assist One of the most important and basic
parts of your boat’s protective equipment are your fenders, so when should you
always use your boat’s fenders?
- Pulling Alongside a Dock - As you approach a dock, you should be sure that your fenders are out and properly in place.
- Rafting with Other Boats - If you’re frequently joining boat parties on the sandbar, you’ll definitely want to make sure that your fenders are in place so you don't do any damage.
One Inch per Five Foot Rule
Boat fenders come in all shapes and sizes, and you may not
know what size to get for your boat. A common rule of thumb used to determine the proper size fender for your boat by following the 1 inch per
five foot rule. For example, if you have a boat that is 20 feet in length, you
should use fenders that are four inches in diameter at a minimum.
Fleece Fender Covers
If you want to ensure your boat fender covers last as long
as possible and does as little damage to your boat, you should consider also getting a fleece cover for your fender.
Sites like Maine Coast Marine Products offer customizable fender covers that
help protect your boat’s gelcoat, awlgrip paint, boot stripe and the fenders
themselves.
Rub Rail
Your boat may already be equipped with proper rub rails, or your boat may not be appropriate to use rub rails, but you can easily
install a rub rail along the side of your boat to protect it from nicks
and scratches from being attached to a dock. Even if your boat has a rub rail, you may consider upgrading to a new higher quality one during the off season.
Vertical Dock Poles
If you park your boat alongside your dock on a frequent
basis, and your boat rail rides above the dock, you’ll likely find that your
boat fenders have to do all the work in protecting your boat from damage from
the dock. You can solve that problem by adding a few vertical poles with a
protective vinyl material or cushion that are attached to the dock. There are
many ways to go about doing that - Cottage Life put together a nice video on one easy DIY
method.
