I have a side mount (4 point) boat lift that I back over in my slip. I am looking to find what works best to pad the inside of my slip. When I used to pull into my slip, I had guides and the bunks of the lift to keep me out of the dock. With backing in, I can see the possibility of dock rash is greatly increased. It seems that you can spend a fortune on this stuff. I understand that one big scratch would cost a lot more to fix than most of this stuff costs, but I don't want to spend a lot and be disappointed.

All opinions on where and what to buy are appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

Taylor Made, Perimeter Products is the best stuff... won't scuff the boat.

http://www.taylormadeproducts.com/dockprod.html

Bill,
Where on Table Rock do you keep your boat? We are in Kimberling City.

I know www.overtons.com has ton of dock/slip protection options.

A few years back.....i dont remember where this was at, but......the dock i was tied up to getting gas had some funky padding on it......looked like a loop type thing. I asked about it and they told me that its used fire hose! The get some from the fire dept for almost next to free. He said its the easiest thing to install to. They get a case of bottled beer and use an empty to make the loops. so they nail it to the dock. Place the bottle against the dock and loop the fire hose around it and nial on the other side and repeat. Looks good, works good and cheap!

The dock Perimeter stuff is fabric like the firehose.

Use dead bodies. Change em once a season...

Since my Dad was a fireman, we always used firehose on the docks growing up. It works well, the price is right (Free), but it looks like crap real quick. We just replaced it every year.
We have that Taylor Made Heavy Duty Rubber stuff on the docks now.

I bet the fabric stuff is the best. From what I have found, they don't exactly give it away either. The fire hose is a great idea. Is it actually stiff enough to retain the round shape? I could use some sort of foam, like water pipe insulation to put inside of it. I was really hoping that someone on here worked for TaylorMade, etc and had an "in" with the pricing.

Dead bodies cost too much in attorney fees, especially when paying by the foot.

My father has one long piece that is screwed to the dock.
Its lasted 4 yrs so far, and he has moved it 3 times.
The fact that you can rub on it, and hard, and it doesn't leave a mark is awsome.

I would think the "perimeter" stuff would get dirty just as fast unless it has some sort of scotch guard on it.

Looks like I will be talking to my volunteer fireman neighbor.

Baja232Brian, I live down near Joe Bald Market. Have to get together sometime.

Thanks for all of the ideas guys.

Bill