Docking Without the Drama (and Without the Scratches)

Take the stress out of docking. Jeff covers joysticks, thrusters, dock lines and how Big Bumper inflatable fenders protect your hull and stow small.

Jeff's wife once bought him a pillow that reads, "I'm sorry for what I said while docking." Any boater who has backed into a tight slip with a crosswind and an audience knows exactly why that pillow exists.

Docking is one of the most stressful parts of boat ownership. The good news is that the tools available today make it far easier than it used to be.

The Tools That Take the Stress Out

Jeff believes any boat over 35 feet should have joystick control, along with bow thrusters where a single screw setup calls for it. Newer mobile control tools even let the captain move around the boat while helping bring it into the dock.

Just as important are the basics. Jeff stresses having enough dock lines, in the right length and the right diameter for your boat. It is an easy detail to overlook and an important one to get right.

Protecting the Investment

Boats are significant investments, and owners spend real time and money on waxing, painting and keeping the gel coat shining. Keeping the boat in top shape is also key to resale value. Whether you're tied up at the dock, facing changing weather, or rafted up with friends, the hull needs protection.

That is where Jeff's own story with Big Bumper begins. Several years ago, he saw the fenders on a poker run in Naples and bought a set for himself. He was so impressed that he got involved with the company.

Why Big Bumper

Big Bumper makes fully inflated, oversized PVC fenders designed for all docking situations. The most popular sizes are the four foot and six foot by 18 inch models, which protect the side of the hull on boats from roughly 30 to 60 feet long.

Jeff says they are the best fenders he has used in 50 years of boating, and one of their biggest advantages is how little space they take up. They inflate and deflate in a little over 90 seconds and roll up small enough to stow in a compartment. In fact, they take up less room than the traditional 24 inch rubber fenders most boaters have used for decades.

What's New

Big Bumper is partnering with Flexi Fabrics to offer poly neoprene covers for its fenders. The covers can be customized with the boat's name, the boat's brand or any logo the owner would like to display, turning a piece of protective gear into something that looks sharp hanging off the rail.

To learn more about how Big Bumper fenders are built and to see current pricing, visit bigbumpercompany.com

The Takeaway

Good docking comes down to the right tools, the right lines and the right protection. Get those in place, and you might not need that pillow after all.

The Next Boat Journey is a series from Dock Side Live Radio, where the music meets the water.