Dock Boxes
Something simple, finally, right? A dock box is well, a box to put stuff in that you don’t want to lug around on your boat, or back and forth in your truck or vehicle. Extra tools, even your grill, whatever you need ‘sometimes but not always on the boat’ is a prime candidate, other than noting humiddity will still get into the boxes.
I grew up working on houses as my Dad was a carpenter and prior lumberyard owner among other things in his lifetime. I also worked on casr since before I could drive them, including a stint at a shop professionally with weekly Snap-On, Mac and Matco truck visits to tempt us with new goodies…so I’m not unfamilar with ‘expensive tools and toolboxes.’ Yet, looking for dock boxes made me feel like I just walked into a Snap-On truck again - with some well over $1000 USD…for a fiberglass box with a pair of $15 gas struts being extra?!? So, not-so-cheap but ultimately extremely useful.
Cheaper models can be found, but it’s been strongly advised to avoid the ‘Rubbermaid bin’ type of boxes as they just don’t hold up at the docks. When I’d gone looking for a ‘smaller’ 3-4’ long fiberglass box, they were still pretty expensive.
What are you going to put into it?
Depending on the size of your boat, and how much work you do on it yourself, as well as the types of water sports you enjoy - the list can get long fairly quickly. Personally, I prefer to keep the ‘may need or want at any time’ items on the boat, but there is still a fair amount of items that I want ‘at the boat’ but not always ‘on the boat.’ Some examples below..
-
Tools - I keep a fair set on the boat, but there are things I don’t need all the time - tubing cutters, a drill, vaccuum and the like.
-
Spare parts - I have the old sump pump which I was able to repair. For obvious reasons, I don’t want this living on the boat!
-
Spare lines and/or fenders
-
cockpit covers or spare pads, e.g. we don’t covert our rear table to a sun pad, so keep some of the bits in there
-
Grill or cooking things not always in use
-
Inflatables
-
What else?
Chances are - you’ll fill it!
Cheaper models can be found, but it’s been strongly advised to avoid the ‘Rubbermaid bin’ type of boxes as they just don’t hold up at the docks. When I’d gone looking for a ‘smaller’ 3-4’ long fiberglass box, they were still pretty expensive, while I was working out what would go into it other than some tools, possibly extra fenders and lines….but it would sure be nice to put the grill in it as well when not using it out on the water.
Amazon does have some TaylorMade boxes and a few others. Make sure you are ordering via Prime or Free Shipping, however, as freight can add up quickly. Taylormade is certainly a well-known brand in the boating market, but not always the least expensive.
What did I do?
I was ready to pick up a Taylor Made or considering one of the other options below, but ran into another option.
The local Marina will usually buy back dock boxes as tenants decide to pull their boats, and sell them to new ones as they come in. We had been at the marina and asking about something unrelated, when I asked if they had any used boxes, as they come and go relatively often and don’t generally stick around long.
They did happen to have one, a lot larger than I was anticipating buying, but all things considered I pulled the trigger on it. Meanwhile, months later - it’s barely big enough, so there is that… :)
Some links if shopping for dock boxes, although note - always check shipping costs, as freight adds up if paying for shipping on one of these!
-
Marine Fiberglass Direct - numerous dock boxes to choose from, but check shipping costs!