How To Dock a Bennington® Pontoon Boat

We all love the luxuries and conveniences of Bennington pontoon boats. However, it can get tricky when attempting to dock one of these boats. Some of the quirks we love, like their size, can make it a challenging ordeal to pull into place. However, with time and the right instruction, you’ll memorize docking procedures like the back of your hand.

At White’s Marine Center, we offer some tips and tricks to help raise your familiarity with getting your Bennington boat docked and secured. Read on to learn more!

Understand the Size of the Craft

Bennington pontoons are fairly large, which is what gives them their ample deck space for all your activities. However, memorizing the dimensions of the craft is a good starting point for learning how to dock. Knowing the size helps you internally picture where the boat is in relation to the dock, thus saving you from crashing into it.

The Procedures

Once you get a better idea of your Bennington boat’s size, you must know proper procedure when you’re approaching the dock. These next steps will help:

1. Prepare dock lines and fenders when getting close to your dock, as well as be aware of your surroundings and the water conditions.
2. Choose which side of the dock you wish to park the Bennington boat and position yourself at the helm in order to have the best field of vision.
3. Open the front boarding gate to further help determine your placement in relation to the dock.
4. Proceed slowly towards the dock by taking your Bennington pontoon in and out of gear.
5. Lastly, when you’re about 10 or so feet away, hit the reverse to come to a complete stop and drift the rest of your way in.

Pro tip: get some practice in by trying these steps out in open water. Once you get the hang of it, head to the dock and give it a try. Only this time, you’ll have the confidence to dock your Bennington like a veteran!

If you want to check out some top-of-the-line Bennington boats, come to White’s Marine Center! We have a superior selection that delivers a high-end boating experience. Visit us near Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri today!