Dock Bumpers?

[BobRae99]

Hello All,

OK, Please don't laugh at me as my new Cobalt 210 will be my first boat and I have never driven or maneuvered a boat, my experience being limited to Sea Doos, Catamarans and a 25' sail boat.

I'm wondering if anyone has installed dock bumpers to protect their boats when approaching their slip? My gel coat colour is Ebony (which will show any abrasions) and I was thinking about installing dock bumpers to help avoid damage in the first season while I work out handling the new boat in close quarters. This is a protected marina, with angled slips (tandem mooring) but I may have to deal with windy conditions from time to time.

If you use dock bumpers, what did you install?

Thanks,

Bob

[cmattj]

Bob....That's everyone's fear no matter the color we have..

As 3 bumpers are helpful coming in to protect the leading dock to the boat. But may I suggest a handle "telescoping pole."
Most Hard Dock bumpers will scuff if you come in hard unless they are a clean microfiber towel

These collapses and get put in the center well when your not using them, and in the event of coming into a high wind parking situation it will help you suck up or push away from the dock (even better if your partner can use it up front).

Have one and you'll prob never need one after awhile.!!
.
check it out
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... 58_003_009

[NautiGirl]

Will the ski locker in the 210 be large enough to stow one of those poles lol....I kid I kid. Driving something with a dual prop for the first time can be tricky, and I cant imagine how nervous I would be if it was a brand new boat. It's amazing how much the dual prop really grips the water, first time I pulled the 222 off the trailer I thought I was going to back straight off...ended up about 2 feet to the right before I even knew what was happening. Extra power going from a V6 to a V8 didnt help.

Go slow, you will get the hang of it. Remember, dont approach the dock any faster than you would want to hit it. Also may not be a horrible idea to put out some fenders before you get ready to dock. Practice on a slow weekend - less chance of there being an audience. Good Luck!

[Big Block Power]

Go slow, you will get the hang of it. Remember, dont approach the dock any faster than you would want to hit it. Good Luck!
[/quote]

This is the best advise that can be given. Neutral is your friend.

What ever you do, don't go in forward when you want reverse. Or your going to hit it hard. Don't look /stand backwards when your putting it in gear or this will happen. I know. Also these boats go very fast in reverse so be careful. Just tap reverse then go back to neutral right away. Slowwwwww.
I still use my telescoping poles all the time. That's my 13 year olds job. We are always docking in current.
Try to only dock on the starboard side so you can see what your going to hit.

[Driller]

Bob....That's everyone's fear no matter the color we have..

As 3 bumpers are helpful coming in to protect the leading dock to the boat. But may I suggest a handle "telescoping pole."
Most Hard Dock bumpers will scuff if you come in hard unless they are a clean microfiber towel

These collapses and get put in the center well when your not using them, and in the event of coming into a high wind parking situation it will help you suck up or push away from the dock (even better if your partner can use it up front).

Have one and you'll prob never need one after awhile.!!
.
check it out
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... 58_003_009

Keep one on my boat in the ski locker.

[BobRae99]

Thanks. I'm thinking I'l install bumper for the first year though. My friend said if I'm nervous, I should just shut the boat off when I get close to the dock and paddle in. Way to make fun of the new guy.

Some boats "moor" on drive on docks. I have my Sea Doo on one. Its great because at the end of the season, there is no algae clean up. All of my Sea Doos have sold after 5 years with zero mooring "wear" on the hull.

Since I am at a private marina with angled tandem slips, I think it would be hard to get a floating drive on dock installed. Anyone use a drive on version?

[Big Block Power]

You never can have to much production. Things still happen
No don't row your boat in. You will never live that down. Look what we do to each other here. Now multiply that times ten at the marina
Just go in slow. Forward neutral forward neutral.
I have fenders and a pole protectors on my brothers dock. Never enough. Yes buy padded bumpers for your dock, get them on the corners they will bite first. Anything sharp cover that.

[jhnmdahl]

Bob, I have a 210 with the fender clips, and store four fender bumpers with rope pre-tied under one of the front seats. If you have a regular dock, there are tons of dock bumper solutions too that work great and might help prevent a bump here and there.

I know some think of the 210 as a "starter" Cobalt, but if you gave me an R7 instead I'd probably say a nice thanks and go trade it for a 210 - it just suits our needs the best of the product line, and isn't lacking for much of anything for Minnesota lake boating.

John

[NautiGirl]

Bob, I have a 210 with the fender clips, and store four fender bumpers with rope pre-tied under one of the front seats. If you have a regular dock, there are tons of dock bumper solutions too that work great and might help prevent a bump here and there.

I know some think of the 210 as a "starter" Cobalt, but if you gave me an R7 instead I'd probably say a nice thanks and go trade it for a 210 - it just suits our needs the best of the product line, and isn't lacking for much of anything for Minnesota lake boating.

John

It's whatever suits your needs best....bottom line. Starter boat or no...its a Cobalt and that turns heads.

[jhnmdahl]

Nauti, exactly. We need something we can tow around the state and run on small lakes but that still has the torque for watersports and the freeboard for our bigger lakes. And considering my wife really wanted a captain's seat, the 210 was pretty much it.

That said, we got a V8, seagrass flooring, wakeboard arch with bimini, and a few other options to make sure it would serve all these roles as well as it could. I still wouldn't change a thing.

Bob, good luck with your 210, and I love the colors!

[Big Block Power]

Get like 3or4 of these and wrap your boat up when coming into the dock
Get these for your dock.
This fender even matches your hull Katie is even modeling it for you in her favorite shirt

[AsLan7]

AWESOME!

[BobRae99]

Nauti, exactly. We need something we can tow around the state and run on small lakes but that still has the torque for watersports and the freeboard for our bigger lakes. And considering my wife really wanted a captain's seat, the 210 was pretty much it.

That said, we got a V8, seagrass flooring, wakeboard arch with bimini, and a few other options to make sure it would serve all these roles as well as it could. I still wouldn't change a thing.

Bob, good luck with your 210, and I love the colors!

Thank you. I had to choose between Ebony/Citrin and Ebony/Citrin, so I chose Ebony/Citrin.

[Big Block Power]

Blame this one on my wife(Tammy) really that's not her name
Self cling bubble wrap!

[Big Block Power]

So Mrs. Nauti and I were talking and came up with another get together.
A Cobalt Chat get together at your marina for the Christening of your boat and the dock so nothing happens to her on her maiden voyage