Dock rash prevention

[pale ryder]

Avoiding dock rash is one of the reasons I put a Talon on the new Skeeter.

[TNtroller]

I've considered a rub rail but don't have a clue about what type or style I would need on a 2014 Alumacraft Classic 165 cs. any suggestions or links to something??

[JOHN L. HECKLSMILLER]

#1. The use of "Bumpers" has help preserved my rig for 10+ seasons on LOTW.
#2. I mounted what I call: "Saw Tooth Style Cleats" on both the Starboard & Port sides of the Gunnels. This allows me to dock the boat + provide protection under any circumstance.
#3. My prevention of dock rash truly works best on floating docks!
It is not as effective on "Pole Docks".

[gofishwalleye]

Seems to me, even if one chooses to use the spot lock feature, one still has to pull up to the dock and get out, therefore a rub rail/bumper is still required. What am I missing?

[offthehook67]

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

Bumpers?

HRG

X2

Exactly what I do!

I have the 6" bumpers. And I also make sure they are tied on high enough that if the waves are larger then they won't get caught under the dock and tear off when the boat is bobbing up and down from the waves as you go get the trailer to load.

That happened to me as someone else did not have one high enough and it got caught on the bottom of the dock and broke the rope. Hence dock rash by morning.

The idea of parking the boat on the side the wind is not blowing into will keep the boat pushed away from the dock.

FYI TNTroller, I am all about less stuff in my boat or in the way of my feet. So for me to have bumpers in it I have to have a system to keep them out of the way. I do not leave them tied on when cruising across the lake. I have a quick release for them, take them off and stow them away. I get close to the harbor and I slow down, put them back on and go park. I can adjust how low they hang based on the size of the waves also.

The Talon idea is good too but not for me.

[goldman]

I use two boat bumpers, each have about 8 feet of rope attached. I tie the bumper on at the cleats, and the tag end of the rope ties onto the dock cleats. Works great, no rash on my 2013 as of yet. Two seasons fished.

[Tweak]

I use bumpers extensively too. But one resort I fish is all sandy soil. Sand everywhere. After week of getting in and out of the boat it seemed the plastic of the fender would some how hold the sand and rub into my boat. This year I added a barrier by cutting the legs off some old sweat pants. I slipped it over each fender and put on fresh ones every couple days. It seemed to help, and it was cheap and easy.

I know they make terry cloth covers for fenders, but I thought of it the day of the trip and didn't have time to pick some up. This option is cheap enough to have some to swap out throughout the week.

[Oncebitten]

Originally Posted by crzytoad75

Got an IPilot? Use fob once off trailer to send boat 15-20 feet out away from dock. Hit spot lock. Park truck. Steer boat back to dock when ready. For quick deals like parking truck it works nicely when you're by yourself. Do same thing for loading.
First time doing it requires some trust with the Terrova.....

I bet it does! I don't know how I'd feel watching my rig cruise away without me!

[Burr]

After bumpers scratched my boat, I just decided to beach my boat, and only use bumpers as a last resort.

If you trailer the boat all the time - maybe the habit of beaching the boat instead of docking it will work better?

I put mine on the beach, stay off docks.

[TNtroller]

There are usually rocks/stumps/etc., on both sides of the docks I use, to cut down on soil erosion, or some dense undergrowth with lots of snakes. Did I mention I don't like snakes?? LOL