Must-Have Dock Accessories for the Summer

With the right combination of accessories, your dock can be the ultimate launchpad for the best summer yet. Below, we walk you through essential add-ons and functional enhancements to help you transform your dock from a simple platform into a multipurpose waterfront haven.

Why Dock Accessories Matter for Summer Fun

Accessorizing your dock allows you to maximize summer by doing more of what you love, whether that’s spending slow mornings with family, inviting friends for an afternoon barbecue, or indulging in your favorite recreational pursuits. Aside from enhancing functionality, the perfect mix of dock accessories can transform your waterfront space, making every moment by the water easier, safer, and more enjoyable. 

Moreover, the right dock accessories let you customize your space to suit your unique lifestyle, so you can soak up the season exactly how you please.

Top 10 Summer Dock Accessories You’ll Love

Here’s a quick rundown of 10 dock accessories that can instantly elevate your waterfront lifestyle:

• Ladders: At Boat Lift Warehouse, we carry an assortment of dock ladders to make getting in and out of the water easier and safer for your friends and family. These include aluminum pivoting ladders from ShoreMaster, walkboard steps from Tide Tamer, and other durable solutions made from marine-grade materials to enhance accessibility on your dock. 

• Bumpers: Protect your boat from bumps, scrapes, and impact damage with our collection of dock bumpers.  Dock bumpers make docking and launching your vessel a worry-free experience. We carry impact-dissipating, non-marring bumpers in various configurations from leading brands, including HydroHoist, K+R, and BumpTek, so you can protect your boat in all vulnerable transition zones.  

• Cleats: Whether you’re outfitting a residential dock or a full-service marina, our selection of robust cleats allows you to secure boats with confidence. Our collection includes stainless steel, hot-dipped galvanized, or high-density polyethylene options from brands including Bracket Buddy, PolyDock, and ShoreMaster.

• Furniture and Seating: Turn your dock into the lake’s go-to hangout spot with our range of dock furniture and seating options. We carry everything from furniture sets with swivel chairs, a table, and an umbrella to bar stools, love seats, and ottomans to ensure your friends and family can kick back nice and easy – the way summer should be.

• Swim Platforms: Our inflatable swimming mats allow the kids and the young at heart to unleash peak summer energy. Choose from Paradise Pad’s 10’ Splash Island lake pad with a 6.5’ mesh center, the 6′ x 10′ x 4″ Inflatable Lake Float Mat, the larger 6′ x 13′ x 4″ version, or get all three – because why not? 

• Lighting: From ambient accent lights to bright, energy-efficient LEDs, Boat Lift Warehouse offers dock lighting options that improve visibility, enhance nighttime safety, and create the perfect evening summer vibe. Choose from a variety of durable, weather-resistant designs, including integrated solar dock lights, strip lights, and underwater lights, from trusted brands to keep your dock well-lit and cozy long after the sun goes down. 

• Watersport Racks: Keep all your waterfront toys organized, secure, and ready for action with our selection of high-quality watersport racks from ShoreMaster. These racks are vertically adjustable to make loading and unloading quick and easy and feature integrated bungee holes for secure storage. Choose between a single or double rack and attach them anywhere along the dock perimeter to suit your specific configuration.

• Fishing Rod Holders: For avid anglers, we offer single, four-rod, and a dock box that can hold up to eight rods and store other fishing essentials. Whether you’re setting up for a full season of fishing or just want to keep your gear organized between catches, these durable, corrosion-resistant holders are a must-have for any angler’s dock setup.

• Dock Boxes: Speaking of storage solutions, we carry a range of heavy-duty, marine-grade boat dock boxes from TitanStor, HydroLocker, and Better Way to keep your waterfront space clean, organized, and clutter-free. Ideal for storing life jackets, ropes, tools, and other essentials, these lockable boxes offer secure, weather-resistant storage for everything you need to enjoy the spoils of summer. 

• Grilling Station: Take your waterfront gatherings to the next level with the ShoreMaster Dockside Grill. Perfect for cookouts by the lake, this high-quality grill mounts directly to your dock, so you can enjoy fresh-off-the-grill meals without ever leaving the water’s edge. Built with durable, marine-grade materials and designed for easy use and cleanup, it’s a must-have for those who love entertaining outdoors or fueling up after a day on the water.

If you have any questions about these products or have concerns about compatibility, don’t hesitate to contact us at 877-468-5438. We’re always happy to help.  

Dock Safety Accessories You Shouldn’t Overlook

Safety should always be part of your dock setup, especially if you have kids, guests, or the elderly who frequently transition between land and water. Our selection of dock rails and gangways from ShoreMaster and Tide Tamer provide safe and durable dock-to-shore transitions, ideal for uneven or sloped shorelines (Tide Tamer, n.d.). We also offer walkboards that let you create wider, more secure walking surfaces to access your boat.

Comfort and Convenience Accessories for Your Dock

Transform your dock into the ultimate waterfront hangout with dock furniture that levels up your dock’s coziness factor. Add counter tables and stools to create the perfect setup for lakeside snacks and evening drinks, or add loungers and a Lakeview bench with integrated cup holders so you can soak up summer in stylish comfort. With these comfort-focused additions, you can transform your dock from a launchpad to a destination. 

Accessories That Make Water Recreation Better

As our name suggests, we inventory various boat lift types and styles from leading manufacturers to ensure our customers can give their boats the protection they deserve. From four-piling lifts and elevator hoists to beamless and floating models, we have dry-docking solutions to accommodate every vessel and waterfront environment. We also carry all the boat lift parts DIY enthusiasts need to build their own systems and a range of drive-on personal watercraft (PWC) ports for jet skis, kayaks, and small skiffs.  

Easy-to-Install Dock Accessories for DIYers

Speaking of DIY enthusiasts, many of the dock accessories we carry are designed with DIY installation in mind — no special tools, no drilling, no stress. ShoreMaster’s InfinityTrack System, for example, utilizes tracks that run along the side of the dock frame. This innovative design allows owners to add, reposition, or remove accessories with a simple T-handle (ShoreMaster, 2024). Other brands, like PolyDock and Rhino Marine Systems, also offer modular designs and intuitive mounting options that make upgrades quick and easy. 

Whether you're outfitting a brand-new dock or making seasonal adjustments, these systems empower you to customize your dock at your whim.

Unique Add-Ons: Seasonal Dock Decorating Ideas

Give your dock a fresh look for every season using smart, functional accessories that are easy to swap out and style. Start with the essentials — like seats, tables, and umbrellas — then refresh the vibe with new cushions, nautical-inspired furniture covers, or ambient lighting. Add string lights, solar lanterns, or underwater LEDs to create a warm, festive glow for evening hangouts. You can also add beverage caddies, bar tables, and floating coolers to create a fun, laid-back vibe that changes with the season.

How to Choose the Right Accessories for Your Dock Type

When going through our catalog of marine accessories, think about how you use your dock, the activities you enjoy, and what can make your dock experience better. Address any pain points, such as lack of storage, limited accessibility, or docking challenges. This helps you develop a list of dock accessories that enhance your waterfront experience without overwhelming your space (and budget). 

Shop High-Quality Dock Accessories at Boat Lift Warehouse

Since our modest beginnings in 2004 as an online retailer of boat lifts and replacement parts servicing the South Carolina area, we’ve become one of the industry’s most trusted online platforms and a go-to source for a wide range of recreational boating equipment, parts, and accessories.  

Our customers range from individual boating enthusiasts who like to assemble, maintain, replace, and repair their own boating products to large contractors with dedicated crews to complete the job. We are honored to include the US Department of the Navy, the US Coast Guard, Fort Knox, and the North Carolina State Wildlife Commission among many other long-term repeat customers.

For any product inquiries, shipping concerns, and questions about compatibility, you can reach us at 877-468-5438 or services@boatliftwarehouse.com. 

FAQs

• How do I know which dock accessories are compatible with my dock?

Generally, your dock manufacturer will have its own range of dock accessories that fit seamlessly with their products. However, there are various adapters and connectors designed to make some dock accessories compatible with other brands. 

If you’re eyeing an accessory but are not sure if you can use it with your dock system, contact us at 877-468-5438. We’re always happy to help. 

• Can I install most dock accessories myself or do I need professional help?

Many of the dock accessories we carry at Boat Lift Warehouse are designed for DIY installation. These typically come with clear instructions and straightforward mounting systems, making them accessible for most dock owners. However, more complex accessories, such as boat lifts, canopies, and anchoring systems, may require professional installation to ensure proper alignment, stability, and safety. 

References: 

• ShoreMaster (August 22, 2024). The Top InfinityTrack Boat and Dock Accessories For Your Best Summer Yet. Retrieved from https://www.shoremaster.com/about-shoremaster/news-events/articles/boat-and-dock-accessories-summer-infinitytrack-accessories/ 
• Tide Tamer (n.d.). Durable Aluminum Gangways. Retrieved from https://www.tidetamer.com/docks/gangways/