Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Ok, I'm planning ahead and ordering stuff for my new pontoon which I hope to have delivered in about 3 weeks. Rail mount rod holders, flotation vest for the new pooch, and bumpers .

Looking for any suggestions for the best docking bumpers for a toon. I did see some 36" long bumpers in the Cabela's catalog that hook over the rail and extend down to the tubes. I also see the folding pads. This Sylvan has skin that is on the exterior of the framing so it will get dinged easily if not protected.

Won't need them in my slip since I have guides on my lift but will certainly need them when we head to Moosie's for a sandwich (for all you SMLakers who know Moosie's at the bridge).

I have this kind.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

Works great with floating docks (like at Moosie's), but does not offer protection for the side panels.

Oooh I like those. I've been regretting getting my 5x22 fenders, wish I had gotten the size up from that.

smltooner wrote:I have this kind.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

Works great with floating docks (like at Moosie's), but does not offer protection for the side panels.

They look great. Interesting that those are shown on their web site but not in their boating catalog. Also, they have bumpers similar that hook over the rails and extend down to the toons....they are in the catalog and not on the web site so can't post a link to them.

Overtons had something similar to that on sale a few weeks ago for like $12 each. They sold out before I could order although they didn't get good reviews. Most owners said they would come off if used underway and they were difficult to put on and off, hence the sale I figured. Maybe those Cabellas ones are better, they look better.

With new flush panels you have to keep everything from contacting those pretty sides as they dent easily. Trust me I know from many experiences.

I use the 6" x 24" ( I believe ) that I got from Bass Pro. These work pretty well for me, as I don't run up to docks much, but I tie off to our friends boat most times, which sits very low in the water.

Got mine a west marine. They were in a three pack pretty large think something like 8x26 paid about 100 or 125. Probably a little larger than I needed but protect well. The only down side is they do take up a lot of space when not in use.
doc

I decided to order the bumpers similar to those noted by smltooner, except these are 8" x 36". From the pic, they hang over the rail and extend down to just above the tube. It looks like they could be left in place while under way and would do a good job of protecting that fragile and thin metal on the playpen.

Will let everyone know how they do when I get them.

I tried a couple of different kinds including the kind that suction cup onto the side (they looked cool, long slender, like something that would protect my fence tin). Well, they didn't work very well, so I like many people have the standard round cylinder type with a long adjustable rope (about 4' so I can adjust the height of the fender to suit the dock). But I have found there are so many docks that seem to be the perfect height for scratching your stuff, that it I just hate to tie up to anything unless it a pristine dock with perfect padding on the corners. Since that is not always practical, my kids get the credit for coming up with a great idea!

We now often take a spare life jacket or two and actually attach it to the problem post or object that looks like it is going to "rub us the wrong way"

It seems to help. One other thing, I always keep two on either side, but when facing a troubling looking doc we also bring all 4 to one side to help protect.

In my opinion this is the only thing I don't like about pontoons. Those sides are so soft and easy to scratch or dent that if you screw up even just a little, your machine get's scratched! I have about 5 "boo boos" on my brand new boat and it makes me frustrated every time I look at them.

I guess that makes me either unqualified to answer this question (because obviously I have not been perfect at this) or it makes me an expert because of the fact I don't have 75 "boo boos" instead of 5.

Good luck, and like I have said, count to 10 when you screw up and drive the corner of your fence into the edge of the dock because you "thought you were da man!"

p.s. Here is a picture of my brand new main L couch seat that my kids "stood on top of" when I wasn't around and tore the seam! (I had to count to (1000 by 10's before I got over this one). Credit goes to Gary at Voyager Marine for sending me a brand new upholstry cover for this seat (I had to remove the old one and replace it, but he sent me the material for free). It looks good as new now. Wish the same was true for my scratches and dents!



So

Whatever size you decide on... get the next one bigger.

Two things cause me grief when tieing up with friends in coves... rogue waves from water sports banging the boats around and one friend who has a wake board tower on his Crownline that sticks out god-aweful far on the outside of the boat where it attaches to long ass posts. These posts are in perfect line with my fence around my boat.

The first time was the only time I needed to learn that I needed my hyper sized fenders back in my garage. They're on my boat now and that friend can only tie up to that side. Problem solved, no more damage.

I don't know the exact size, but they were the biggest ones in stock at Bass Pro.... if that helps.

What about something like these - http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10433

I know they make larger ones as our local lake LEOs uses them.

Those would be good for a dock.

The issue I found out the hard way was protrusions from other boats that were longer than my bumpers were wide and corners of docks -- like where I get my gas at the marina. With my colossal sized fenders... nothing is a problem any longer and I advise anyone who asks to get the big boys. Another buddy of mine who runs a 24' Benny uses his fenders that are the same size as mine and when we tie up he always comments that we could survive a hurricane with no boat damage what with the combined 5 big fenders we have..

The inflatable variety of these big boys (most are right?) allow for more shock absorption... less jarring when waves roll through. Not sure how the flat ones would hold up with rogue waves.

Outlaw67 wrote:Those would be good for a dock.

The issue I found out the hard way was protrusions from other boats that were longer than my bumpers were wide and corners of docks -- like where I get my gas at the marina. With my colossal sized fenders... nothing is a problem any longer and I advise anyone who asks to get the big boys. Another buddy of mine who runs a 24' Benny uses his fenders that are the same size as mine and when we tie up he always comments that we could survive a hurricane with no boat damage what with the combined 5 big fenders we have..

The inflatable variety of these big boys (most are right?) allow for more shock absorption... less jarring when waves roll through. Not sure how the flat ones would hold up with rogue waves.

thanks was going to mention shock absorption, think that is why air bags are not flat.
doc