Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hi -

We just spent our first day on the water and with only two of us, we left the mooring cover on the boat. We soon realized that if we had more than 4 on board, that cover should be somewhere else.

The boat we bought came with everything needed plus items that are convenient, but not mandatory. We are still deciding what we want to have on board and what doesn't need to be taking valuable storage space. In other words, we don't have a storage spot on the boat to dedicate to the cover.

I am wondering what you do with your cover if spending the day on the boat? Do you have a spot on the boat for the cover, maybe put it in the tow vehicle (if towing was necessary).

Thanks - again - for your insights.

When i rebuilt my boat i left a 6 inch gap between the back bench seat to stuff it into.

Can you have a dock box?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#63695a62/=124d4wr

Thanks for the ideas. And I will have to check with the marina. I see a large padlocked box near our dock, but now I'm not sure if that is a marina provided, shared "shed" or if the marina allowed another docker to leave this large container on the premises.

urbnsr wrote:Thanks for the ideas. And I will have to check with the marina. I see a large padlocked box near our dock, but now I'm not sure if that is a marina provided, shared "shed" or if the marina allowed another docker to leave this large container on the premises.

Can't hurt to ask... We keep our cover when not in use, a really small shop vac, cleaning supplies as well as some other assorted stuff in our's....

teecro wrote:Can you have a dock box?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#63695a62/=124d4wr

Ouch. I had the exact same box that I had barely used but no place to store it when we last moved, so I gave it to a neighbor. It would come in handy when we put in our dock. I don't recall what I paid but I had no idea they were that expensive. I'm going to wish I had kept it.

I bought mine at Home Depot or Lowes some time back. It's really nothing but a storage box you'd keep on a patio or something. MUCH cheaper than a true dock box

ralph wrote:I bought mine at Home Depot or Lowes some time back. It's really nothing but a storage box you'd keep on a patio or something. MUCH cheaper than a true dock box

Yes true fiber glass "dock boxes" are quite costly indeed at 600.00 and up... While my Rubber Maid storage box may have been a bit costly to some running around looking for one wasting my time and not finding what I wanted in the first place more than made up for having mine delivered and waiting for me when I got home from ship...

TDJ2591 wrote:

teecro wrote:Can you have a dock box?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#63695a62/=124d4wr

Ouch. I had the exact same box that I had barely used but no place to store it when we last moved, so I gave it to a neighbor. It would come in handy when we put in our dock. I don't recall what I paid but I had no idea they were that expensive. I'm going to wish I had kept it.

This price might be a bit more inline with what you paid... 125.00 delivered..


http://www.essentialhardware.com/rubber ... aQodulEJAA

Thanks for the replies everyone.

While I like the idea of leaving a space behind the bench to always have the cover, I don't have that opportunity in the near future. The shore box is a nice idea and our marina is very accommodating with location and type. Very nice people and place.

I like the look of the deck bench type, but I also like the one T Cro posted.

Thanks...

I've got a pickup truck, so I toss my cover in the covered bed while I'm on the water. I'm at a small marina in a covered slip, and I have rolled the cover and left it on the dock for short times.

Thanks Michael. We were out yesterday and I got the feeling that leaving our cover on the dock would not be a problem. A shore box would offer some organization and also allow storage of things like the extra life vests that we have which might not be needed most of the time, but would be handy when extra guests would like to come along.

urbnsr wrote:Thanks Michael. We were out yesterday and I got the feeling that leaving our cover on the dock would not be a problem. A shore box would offer some organization and also allow storage of things like the extra life vests that we have which might not be needed most of the time, but would be handy when extra guests would like to come along.

In my opinion you should try to find a location to keep at the very least 4 life jackets (if not more) on board at all times... You don't want to find out that you forgot to grab the extra jackets that you needed when the water patrol is giving you a safety inspection... My normal crew is 2 so I always keep 4 jackets on board... We keep all kinds of extra stuff stashed under the seats from hats, glasses, lip balm, wind breakers, towels and the all important drink coozies...

Yep - Thanks.
Normal crew here is also 2 and we now have 6 jackets on board plus throw-able. We had 12 life jackets total that came with the boat. I think it's rated for 10 person max. We took 6 out and consolidated the 6 plus 1 and now have a whole under seat storage available. It helps.

Normally, we just roll ours up and leave it at the dock (but it is a private dock). Since you do not have a storage locker in a center tube, you might give this box a try - http://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-60012-Ex ... torage+box

We have one bolted to the dock and is used to store extra vests and water toys. Although the photo shows a child sitting on it, it isn't a good idea. the top isn't that strong.