Shock absorbers

Just bought a new boat and want to protect it from scuff Mark’s from dock when loading by myself. Has anyone used these or would the big bumpers be better?

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If you get to tie off from both sides, that is my preference for keeping the boat away from the dock. My wife hates it because it is a big step for her into the boat. If you are thinking about this for launching, you may be misunderstanding it.

I was thinking of attaching these while I run and park truck and trailer

They are bungee chords and won’t prevent the boat from sliding forward or back which would allow the boat to make contact with the dock. They are basically a fancy rope tie off.

In conjunction with the rubber bumpers, they do look like a convenient way to tie off versus rope knots.

In a boat slip situation with 2 on each side of the boat is how I see these being best utilized.

Thanks SuperDave. What do most people use the cylinder fenders?

That’s what I use.

Something like this?

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I like these. They are spendy but can also attach nicely to the dock. Soft but firm foam that will not scratch. I use 2 of these in conjunction with the cylinder type. Usually 2 on the boat and 2 on the dock.

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Thanks Matt going to place an order for these. I have an almost 19ft boat would 3 of these be the correct amount?

4 is the minimum. 2 for just you and a dock. 2 for the opposite side if you come into a place with multiple docks that allow 2 boats side by side.

I also put 2 on the open side if I can expect company. I like to say preventing the neighbor from dinging my boat but it’s just as true so I don’t hit theirs. Go to one of these restaurants and watch people dock for a while. Some are good, some are okay, and then there’s the train wrecks

Edit: depending on your boat you may want 3 for each side. ex. long pontoon. More than 2 doesn’t do a lot for me on my 17ft aluminum or 22ft glass boat because of where they get placed.

Thanks patk for the advice, yeah I have seen some trainwrecks before

Here a trainwreck that happen to my neighbor pontoon and the boat lift is bent up pretty bad too. The lady had a few to many at happy hour and miss her lift and hit the neighbor pontoon and boat lift. the guy just got the pontoon and lift about a week ago..

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