Why pontoons dock differently
A pontoon has tall, flat sides, fencing, and often a bimini top, and it sits on the water rather than in it. Together that means wind pushes it sideways more than you might expect, especially at the slow speeds you use for docking. The answer is to plan for the wind, keep the boat slow, and be ready to connect to the dock quickly.
Get ready before you reach the dock
- Fenders on the docking side. Pontoon rails make this easy: Quik Fender clips onto a rail, cleat, or line in seconds and is tough and non-marking. If you use traditional fenders, Fender Lines are pre-cut and professionally whipped, with a ready-made eye.
- Bow and stern lines made fast to the boat’s cleats and coiled, ready to pass to the dock.
- Your docking pole extended and locked to the length you need. For most pontoons that is the Medium Boat Loop® (MT3-6), with 58″ to 88″ of reach; check the size guide if your dock is unusually high or low.
- Passengers seated and clear of the gates, and everyone wearing life jackets as your local regulations require.
How to dock a pontoon boat, step by step
- 1
Check the wind first
Before you commit, idle near the dock and watch how the boat drifts. Note whether the wind will push you onto the dock or away from it.
- 2
Approach slowly at a shallow angle
Come in at idle speed at a shallow angle to the dock. Where you can, approach into the wind or current so it slows you down.
- 3
Steer with short bursts of power
A pontoon steers best when the motor is pushing. Turn the wheel first, then shift briefly into gear, then back to neutral. Short, deliberate bursts give you control without building speed.
- 4
Bring it parallel and stop
As the bow nears the dock, turn to bring the boat parallel, then use a touch of reverse to stop. Shift to neutral.
- 5
Connect from aboard
From behind the rail or at an open gate, reach out and drop the loop of The Boat Loop® over the dock cleat or piling, then pull from the handle grip to draw the pontoon in. Feet planted; no stepping across the gap.
- 6
Tie off, bow then stern
Make the bow line fast to the dock, then the stern line. Lift the loop off once the boat is tied. The Boat Loop® is a docking aid only, never a permanent mooring line.
Docking a pontoon in the wind
With wind pushing you onto the dock, stop a few feet off and let it carry you in gently onto your fenders. With wind pushing you away, the gap opens fast: that is when catching the cleat from aboard and drawing the boat back in beats trying to close the gap with the motor or leaning out. If a gust is winning, lift the loop clear, back away, and try again. Never pry against the dock or use the pole as a lever.
Docking a sailboat: high freeboard
On a sailboat the challenge is height and distance. The deck can sit well above a low dock, and the bow can be a long way from the cleat you need. Dock under power with the sails down and secured, keep lines and sheets clear of the propeller, and learn which way your boat’s stern pulls in reverse before you need to know it.
For high freeboard, the Long Boat Loop® (MT4-8) reaches 70″ to 112″, so you can reach down to the dock cleat from the deck. Set the length before you approach, confirm the lock clicks, and remember to reduce force when the pole is extended.
Before you head out
Practice on a calm day, take a boating safety course, and follow your local boating regulations. If you often dock alone, read how to dock a boat by yourself, and if you are weighing tools, see docking pole vs boat hook.
Safety & warnings
WARNING: Read before use. Improper use of The Boat Loop® can cause injury or death.
- The Boat Loop® is a docking aid only; never use it as a permanent mooring line.
- Never place the loop over or around anyone’s neck. Strangulation could occur.
- Do not exceed 100 lb of pulling force or 75 lb of pushing force. Exceeding these limits can damage the product or cause injury.
- Reduce force when the pole is extended; the fiberglass pole is more susceptible to buckling under heavy pushing at full extension.
- It floats only when the Extension Pole is extended at least 12 inches, so do not rely on it as a flotation device.