
There are many benefits of installing a dock bumper on your boat, including: Reduced accidental damageĪt some point, every boat collides hard against the dock. If your vessel is large, dock padding is the most favorable option.

Dock padding contains interior pads that absorb collision and heavy impact. While it is more budget-friendly, it doesn’t provide the protection benefits offered by dock padding. Edging and paddingĭock edging is economical and ideal for light water vessels. Check if your chosen bumper is compatible with the water to ensure your investment isn’t wasted. Some bumpers are better for saltwater, and others are designed for freshwater. It is essential to ensure that the dock guard is compatible with the water. For instance, aluminum is quite popular because it can resist rust despite staying underwater for a long period. Choosing the right bracket hardware is another important factor when analyzing the material. The second category is flexible PVC vinyl that works for lightweight vessels. Generally, marine-grade vinyl is the leading choice as it provides safety against rust and can withstand harsh weather conditions. It is important to determine the usage of the boat and traffic at the bay to make the final purchase decision. You will find several types of materials when scanning your dock bumper options. Some factors you should keep in mind when looking for the best dock bumpers include but are not limited to: Material Things to Consider When Buying a Dock Bumper 2 The Benefits of Installing a Dock Bumper.1 Things to Consider When Buying a Dock Bumper.Dab a thin line on the front of the dock if any the mounting hardware is showing. Use liberal amounts of silicone on the underside of the dock and cover the entire surface of the hardware and the hole. Since the wood and hardware are going to be in wet conditions, you need to seal them so the wood, and the hardware, do not rot. This is done by simply pushing it until the bumper snaps into place. Some dock bumpers will also clip onto the bracket. Another method is to drive in mounting screws that affix to the bracket and hold the bumper in place. One way is to slide the bumper over the top of the mounting bracket and secure it with a cap.
#Dockmate corner bumper install#
Step 4- Install Bumperĭepending on the type of dock bumper you have, this step can be done in several different ways.

Repeat as necessary for the other holes if any. You may have to reach under, or get into the water if it is too much of a reach. Use your socket wrench and tighten up the bolt from the underside of the dock. Place the bracket back on to the dock and slide the bolt through the hole. Use your cordless drill with the right size drill bit to drill the hole. Place a small level on it to make sure it is level and mark the holes with a marker.

Take the mounting bracket that the boat dock bumper will be attached to and line it up on your wood dock. This is where the middle of bumper should be. The best way to do this is to pull your boat alongside and mark the wooden dock where the railing is. If you put the bumpers up too high, the boat will slide under them and they are useless. Step 2- Measure for Right HeightĪfter you have measured the dock and determined where the dock bumpers will be placed, you will need to measure down towards the water for the best height. Once you decide that, just use two for each boat. Measure your overall dock and decide on how many boats will fit there. As a general rule, each boat you will be tying to the dock should have at least two that will keep it away from the dock. Before you begin installing any dock bumpers, you must know how many you are going to need.
