Since this is my first boat....

[zich6]

I have a dock on a lake. What you recommend for docking the boat, ie, bumpers and other stuff?

[Rbuss4]

Yes Bumpers-and buy some cloth bumper covers. If you boat will regularly tied to your same dock; think about mounting a good set of bumpers to the dock so they are always there where you need them. Buy good quality docking lines. I stick with 5/8 inch nylon braided, and create exact length ropes for slipping over dock poles where my boat is tied on summer weekends. ( i not have a lift as we share our lake cottage with other family members).
Anchor ropes I have always used Poly Line since it is in and out of the water-It holds up better than the nylon stuff.

[lee]

I recommend a boat lift.

[JohnnieMo]

A lift would be ideal. Second best are these mooring whips.



If you can get power out there or a solar panel, it's a good idea to use a battery tender.

[smoothtoup]

Congrats! I have been told that leaving the boat in the water for a few months at a time can blister the gel coat so I got a lift and didn't chance it.

[zich6]

You guys are great. Thanks.

[zich6]

You guys are great. Thanks.

[BlackoutATX]

Since this is my first boat....

Product plug incoming....

Obviously a lift is your best option.

But, I use BABz on our dock as well as in the boat. They work great here on Travis where the water can get pretty rough. They give enough separation where large waves won’t bang the boat.


Our neighbors have whips on their dock. They leave their cruiser there 24/7. They are definitely a great option. I’m just not a fan of how they look. I also won’t keep the boat on the water for more than a day or two without taking it out on the trailer.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zich6]

Thanks for the advice.

[Ryanmorgan1984]

The BABz product is def superior in my opinion to traditional bumpers/fenders. If you cover the bumpers with the cloth covers like recommended above it helps a ton with the gel coat scratches. The bumpers have hard seams where the plastic is molded together that gnar up the gel coat eventually.

The BABz type of product that I use when I dock my boat long term work well because you can wedge them tight between the boat and the dock with your anchor line. Basically tie the boat to the dock tight with a squishy ball as a damper when waves come in. It always seems like bumpers get shifted around and move out of place after a few days unattended, and don’t let me get the boat tied tight enough.

[zich6]

Just contracted for a Raptor hydraulic lift. Anyone have experience with those?

[smoothtoup]

Just contracted for a Raptor hydraulic lift. Anyone have experience with those?

No but I did just buy 2 Babz. Lol.

I got a hydrohoist, The wife said no more Raptor gear, I have the Ford Raptor truck and Raptor engine in the Tige, and a Raptor 4 wheeler.

[freeheel4life]

The BABz product is def superior in my opinion to traditional bumpers/fenders. If you cover the bumpers with the cloth covers like recommended above it helps a ton with the gel coat scratches. The bumpers have hard seams where the plastic is molded together that gnar up the gel coat eventually.

.

One thing we have started doing for guys who moor their boat in the water is doing a small patch of 3M clear vinyl in the areas where fenders will rub the gel. Totally eliminates chaffing of the gel coat and you really can't see it unless you are 2ft away from it and know what you are looking for.

[zich6]

Thanks.