Docks & Accessories

Our roundup of ten great products to use at the dock

Published in the February 2024 Issue August 2024 Feature Rebecca Blackson

To help you with docking and storing your boat when you’re not cruising on the water, we’ve gathered a lineup of helpful accessories with the most innovative designs and cutting-edge technology. These products will ensure you can easily store, lift, and showcase your boat when it’s docked at your marina or waterfront property.

Frog Hooks
When it comes to tying up your boat, lines can tangle, be difficult to knot, and certainly can’t double as a loading ramp. Enter Frog Hooks: ingenious alternative to lines that simultaneously provide a boarding platform with non-slip treads. This innovative docking system makes it easy to secure your pontoon boat to the dock and provides a secure platform that makes it easy for children and grandparents to board.

Ideal for pontoon boats, Frog Hooks’ flexible configurations keep the boat 20 to 84 inches away from the dock, which allows the engine to be up and out of the water. Made from durable, galvanized steel, each set of Frog Hooks includes a mounting bracket to attach the platform to the dock, and a key set that securely fastens the boat to the platform. Boats can be docked either stern-in or bow-in; 20-inch platforms are recommended for bow-in docking, and up to 52-inch platforms for stern docking, depending upon engine size.

Although designed for floating docks, the Frog Hooks system works not only in marinas and with private docks, but also in tidal locations, and lakes and rivers. Customers have also used Frog Hooks to secure boats to houseboats, connect seawalls and bulkheads to floating docks, or to tow docks. Built to last and made in the USA, Frog Hooks platforms are trusted by over 500 marinas. www.froghooks.com

PolyDock’s Pivoting Dock Ladder
Finish off a perfect swim with a functional and well-designed ladder from PolyDock. Their new pivoting ladders allow you to get in and out of the water easily, and a vertical pivoting action and locking pin allow you to flip the ladder up when you’re not using it, keeping your dock looking attractive and clutter-free. Like other PolyDock products, the pivoting and flip-up aluminum dock ladders are easy to install on your new or existing PolyDock floating dock system; they are also compatible with ShoreMaster and RhinoDocks, or they can be bolted onto any other dock manufacturer. Featuring slip-resistant tread textures and easy-to-grip looped handrails, there are 3, 4, and 5 step ladders available. The aluminum construction ensures product longevity. www.polydockproducts.com

ShoreMaster’s Solar Dock Lights
Light makes everything more wonderful, and it’s certainly true that having your dock aglow after dark adds something special. With the new Infinity Dock System from ShoreMaster, you can easily add solar-paneled dock lights to illuminate your dock. These bright solar-powered LED lights provide evening lights without the hassle of cords or wires, and they are mounted directly into ShoreMaster dock leg caps at any corner of the dock frame. They are quick to install and offer an attractive and unobtrusive low profile, ensuring no tripping and no wasted dock space.

The solar dock lights are available in five colors: white, blue, amber, red, and green and work with ShoreMaster’s Infinity Docks RS4, RS7, and TS9. www.shoremaster.com

Inflatable Boat Bumpers
When you need a mobile yet incredibly effective bumper to protect your boat, outsized inflatable bumpers from the Big Bumper Company just might be your answer. Simple to inflate with just a 120-volt air pump, these heavy-duty bumpers are the perfect accessory to protect your watercraft from scratches and damage.

Made with the highest quality materials, bumpers come in black or gray reinforced .90mm PVC, and the finished material is coated 1000 denier polyester. Each bumper has two stainless steel D-rings (one on each end of the bumper) with enhanced webbing connectors on the ends to connect to your dock or other boats. All fenders have H3 quick inflation and deflation valve & pump nozzle and are PSI rated at 3.5; PSI tested up to 42 pounds of pressure.

Available in multiple sizes and both 8- and 24-inch diameters, the 2- and 4-foot fenders are great for boat tie-ups, and the 6- and 12-footers are perfect for docks and marinas. It’s important to note that Big Bumpers are not approved flotation devices and should never be used as a floating step. However, they can safely be used for anchoring, docking, and boat-to-boat tie-ups, and can be positioned either horizontally or vertically to suit your needs. www.bigbumpercompany.com



Sunstream Helix-P Lift
The newest cable lift system from Sunstream Lift Boats, the Helix-P is a sleek piling lift that can launch or lift your boat in as little as 15 seconds. With easy boarding, impressive hydraulic speed, and reduced noise, the Helix-P will showcase your boat and make it easier to launch for your next outing, especially with a hidden cable lift and no visible motors or electrical work.

With control at the touch of a button, Helix-P’s control system can be run from an app on your phone. Predetermined stops can be customized to your dock, and the motor’s revolution counter enables pre-programmed stopping points. Available in four sizes, the Helix-P can accommodate vessels from 8,000 to 24,000 pounds. The frame has non-slip striping for safety and the Helix-P cradle locks in the “up” position to prevent your boat from swinging in the wind.

Additional options include Storm Surge inserts that can quickly raise a boat a further 24 inches. Users can also combine up to two different hydraulic DC power packs of 6hp or 12hp to increase power up to 24hp to produce speeds 12 times faster than typical piling lifts. And a single power pack can be shared among multiple lifts or boat cover systems, offering a cost-effective and clutter-free power solution. The Helix-P lift is the sleekest, fastest piling lift system. www.sunstreamboatlifts.com

Golden Elevator Lift
For pontoon owners who want the benefits of out-of-water boat storage but live on a channel or lake where piles are prohibited, the Golden Elevator Lift is the perfect solution. This robustly constructed lift installs on seawalls, embankments, or concrete piers, as well as on shoreline wood and steel piles. And because the boat is parallel to the shore, it’s easier to load people and gear.

The lift is manufactured for both the specific location requirements—such as length of travel and angle of installation—as well as the boat itself. Depending on the weight of the vessel, the lift can have a single, two, or four tracks, and can have up to a 60,000-pound capacity. Heavy-duty UV-rated Nylatron wheels on stainless equalizer brackets provide exceptionally smooth operation, especially with heavier vessels.

The power behind an Elevator Lift lies in the reliable Golden Sea-Drive. Incredibly safe, it simply cannot back drive and accidentally drop. Each unit provides 8,000 pounds of torque. Important for a vessel of any weight, custom bunking on the Elevator Lift ensures the hull is fully supported and doesn’t cause strain. Carpeted wood or optional aluminum bunks adjust to accommodate a wide range of shapes such as deep-V, steps and/or strakes, as well as inboard and outboard power. www.goldenboatlifts.com

Wave Armor ProTect’R Canopy
With a focus on durability, functionality, and style, Wave Armor offers the ultimate in watercraft protection with their latest port canopy system that can keep your pontoon fully protected against sun, rain, and debris to preserve the integrity of your watercraft over time.

Using UV Resistant Wavebrella Material, the marine-grade canvas provides supreme protection against the elements, and the fully-screened ends for ventilation will promote airflow while safeguarding your vessel. The canopy includes a 24-inch perimeter drape for enhanced coverage. Featuring lightweight, robust trusses secured to a rigid aluminum frame, the system’s rugged construction is crafted through a rotational molded process. The telescopic columns offer almost four feet of height adjustment, which can then accommodate a wide range of pontoons and boats. And a clean, custom look is maintained with its oxidation-resistant design, which will preserve the aesthetic appeal of the canopy.

The ProTect’R Canopy is a game-changer in marine protection,” said Ben Feldman, director of sales at Wave Armor. “It combines cutting-edge design with durable materials, offering pontoon owners a solution that not only shields their watercraft but does so with style and adaptability.” www.wavearmor.com

ShoreMaster’s Pontoon Boat Lift
Designed to perfectly fit today’s larger and more powerful pontoon boats, ShoreMaster’s Pontoon Boat Lift has additional length and width to accommodate the increasing size of today’s pontoons. In conjunction with the standard Pontoon Guides and Rail, this longer, wider design provides a more stable platform for lifting the pontoon, as well as better support and guidance when entering and exiting the lift. The double v-side feature enables pontoon owners to effortlessly position their lift so that passengers can board or exit the pontoon from either side of the lift.

ShoreMaster’s sleek, aluminum pontoon is resistant to corrosion, has lighter than steel frames, and provides superior strength to lift your boat. With minimal nuts and bolts to tighten after rough seas on a windy day, using this lift will give you more time to hang out on the boat instead of the dock, and keep you from worrying about rusted and corroded hardware. Installation and assembly are also straightforward because of the minimal 8-piece design.

All of ShoreMaster’s lifts have the industry’s quietest winch system, as well as a motorized operation that can be integrated or added on. Available in three capacity options (4,000, 5,000, and 7,000 pounds), all models have a lift travel of 66 inches and come with a built-in guide system and canopy cover. www.shoremaster.com/lifts



Touchless Boat Cover
There’s nothing like being out on your pontoon with family and friends, but cumbersome boat covers can delay launch times and be a tedious chore to set up and remove. Instead, you can enjoy convenience with a remote-controlled cover that still offers superior protection from weathering, animals, and dirt

Eliminating the hassle of ropes, snaps, or straps like traditional covers, Touchless Boat Covers are fully automated with a remote control or even an app from your phone. No longer do you have to decide if it’s worth dealing with the hassle of a traditional cover when friends show up and want to enjoy a nice sunset cruise. Simply press a button and you are on the water. After returning to dock, press a button again to recover your boat.

Built by hand in the USA, pontoon boat covers are customized to the length, width, and height of your boat, boathouse, dock, and boatlift, and are compatible with any docks/lift designs—from piling lifts to floating docks. Made from extremely durable marine grade fabric, these covers are waterproof, UV and mildew resistant, and available in 10 stock colors and 10 special order colors. www.touchlesscover.com

Harbor Mate Pontoon Ramp
Effortlessly Bring Pets and Gear Aboard with Accessible Ramp

If you’ve ever tried to embark after an afternoon docked at a sandbar or float, you know it can be a challenge to climb back on board. However, with the new Harbor Mate Pontoon Boat Ramp, you can safely and easily load coolers, supplies, and more straight from the beach.  The high-traction grit coat surface makes this ramp safe for adults, children, and pets to use—even when wet.

Made from lightweight, rust-proof aluminum, this ramp has a 600-pound weight capacity and is available in two sizes up to 7.5 feet long. Simple to install, the ramp comes with all required mounting hardware with universal mounting brackets to fit most pontoon boat models. The ramp easily stores under the deck of your boat to slide out when needed.

Passengers worried about mobility, or who have large or small dogs, will find the ramp comfortable and safe to use. The non-slip surface is fine-grained, so even bare feet can tread comfortably.

Customers have appreciated the ample width of the ramp and wheels on the end that make rolling it out simple and efficient. www.discountramps.com

  • Like what you read?

    Want to know when we have important news, updates or interviews?

  • Join our newsletter today!

    Sign Up
You Might Also Be Interested In...
Share

Send to your friends!

Click here to read the current issue.

Already a subscriber? Please check your email for the latest full issue link.