Over the years we’ve been fortunate to test a lot of great and unique products to help make docking easier. There’s just no way around it: if you use your boat, at some point you’re going to need to dock it.
But sometimes it’s the simple ideas that seem to work best. I have a variety of docking line in my garage in a wide range of lengths. Pick a color; I’ve probably got a docking rope to match. But last summer I watched as a guy quickly tied up his boat at the dock as he went to get his trailer. When I went in for a closer look, I realized that hidden inside the docking line was a bungee cord. The 5-foot rope that can stretch to 7 feet was absorbing the waves and that’s when I knew I needed to get one.
The AIRHEAD Bungee Dock Line is listed at $10.99 on its website and that sounded about right to me so I ordered a pair. Two foam floats protect the boat from chafing, but my favorite feature is the sliding adjustment at both ends that really makes docking quick.
Recommended for docking boats and PWC's up to 4,000 pounds, the tensile strength is 2,150 pounds and it comes in a black/blue/red color scheme. After trying this out, I guess it’s time to get rid of all those regular docking lines I’ve been storing for years.
TOOLS: 93
Portable 20/20
Function 47/50
Durability 9/10
Design 9/10
Price 8/10
www.airhead.com
303-733-3722