Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

In the past, I always kept my boat trailered and in dry storage. But with the new 'toon, the wifey and I decided to splurge a little, and avoid the hassle of trailering the boat after every use, by getting a slip at a nearby marina. Walking around the marina I have seen some pretty impressive setups and of course the biggest necessity is a Dock Box. As I'm about to get one set up, I was wondering what you more "experienced" marina slip or dock owners would consider the "Must Haves" to have in a dock box. Extra mooring lines, bumpers, small tool box and a hose are the first things to come to mind...

I am far from "experienced" when it comes to pontooning, but I do have a dock box (and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night), so I'll chime in. While we're out on the lake, our mooring cover and poles are in the dock box; this is actually the main reason for the box, since we don't have space aboard the boat to store the cover when it's off. Also, several cheapy life vests, for when additional people show up for a ride, and some random water toys. And a boat key is tucked up out of sight inside the lip, because her sister comes down and takes the boat out sometimes. And when we're at the dock, messing around with the boat, usually the kids are in the dock box. No, not locked in; don't call Child Protective Services. But, for whatever reason, they love sitting in the box (lid open). I guess it's kind of like a clubhouse.

That's too funny!!! The main reason for the box was to put my mooring cover in and also the kids tube. Didn't want to leave it in the boat for fear that someone might decide to "borrow" it. Which reminds me to add an air pump to the list. Never thought about the kids using it as a clubhouse, though. Does that mean I need to put a small tv in there, also??

The best floaties available: car inner tubes.

And extra life preservers.

Small box with fishing lures.

Extension cord, fan, small tackle box, 2 "junk" fishing poles, spare anchor, spare oil, ropes, luggage dolly to carry gas. It fills up fast.

In addition to others' posts...

Don't want to be a dock slob, so I'd add cleaning stuff: spray bottle with water, extra rags, soft-bristled brush on a stick, regular (old) broom, bucket

Get a locking dock box that doesn't leak! We've used Lowe's boxes, relatively inexpensive and they're dry as a bone through torrential downpours and winter snows. (We used them for pool deck storing cushions and at our slip.)

I use a truck box with no lip on the side. Much cheaper than a fiberglass dock bow and it's watertight. I bought the one that fits inside the truck bed.

Great suggestions from all of y'all. Thanks a ton and keep 'em coming!! The luggage dolly is a GREAT idea I never would have thought of. Will make hauling that heavy cooler full of ice and beer from the car MUCH easier!!!

moor cover and support when the boat isn't covered, tube and inflatable bed when we don't plan to use those, some extra PFDs, cleaning supplies (extra towels, 303, small 12v shop vac) and other odds and ends that we don't feel are needed on the boat.

Note: I keep my tools on the boat at all times, lock them up in the ski locker and the they are an inexpensive auto type kit so they wouldn't be a major loss if "borrowed".

Minions.




Lots of minions.




About four, to prep and deprep the boat each time you go out (Dock Minions), then a few on board, to serve you beverages, and snacks (Deck Minions), plus any additional that you may need, such as Spotter Minions, Anchor Minions, Fuel Dock Minions, and of course, for the Admiral, Pedicure Minions, Sunscreen Minions, Changing Room Attendant Minions, and so forth.

Love the minion idea. My youngest granddaughter laughs just like the minions. We're thinking the creators heard her laugh, recorded it and copied her. Now, if we win the lawsuit I can get a new bass boat, wave runner, etc. LOL!

I have about all of the above in mine, minions included. I also mounted my water pump and hose in it, so I can wash the boat while in the slip. Works FreakinFantastic, plus no one can steal it! (Again)

Ingenious idea!!! I'm headed directly to MinionMart after work today!!!

TSip85 wrote:Ingenious idea!!! I'm headed directly to MinionMart after work today!!!

Don't forget to give them the cupon code!!!

"BobGsBoatingMinions" We get a 42% discount (any other number would be incorrect).

I hate hauling stuff back and forth so when I got teh slip I got two 6' dock boxes.

Box one is for lifejackets. I've got 2 infant, 4 youth, at least a couple each of adult xsmall, small, medium, mediun large, large, extra large, xxl and xxxl. (I found a couple good deals, plus I've found a few floating on the lake)

Box two is for toy and tool stowage. I've got two towables (a super mabel (3 passenger tube), a slalom jockey duo). My trolling motor (motorguide 74lb 24V), A set of 54 inch skis and a set of 67 inch skis, a self coiling hose, a couple extra lines, a 3PSI airhead (I think) high volume air pump (I love this pump. inflates the super mable in about 7 minutes!!) and I think that's it.

When we go out the poles go in box 2 and the cover gets bundled up and tied to the post by box 2.

This lets me keep the vast majority of my on boat storage available for guests stuff, etc.