Floating docks offer an excellent way to enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends. Plus, there is an almost unlimited number of ways that you can these platforms.
For instance, whether it’s swimming, sunbathing, fishing, or just chilling, a quality floating dock will have you covered!
Finding your ideal Inflatable swimming platform can be pretty challenging.
With that in mind, in this post, we’ll go over three of our favorite floating docks to assist you in your search. Additionally, we’ll take an in-depth look at their performance and analyze them to find one that best suits your needs.
Table of Contents
What Is A Floating Dock?
A floating dock is a relatively simple device that does not require additional pilings or substructure support. Yet, it offers a stable platform to anchor your small to medium-sized watercraft such as SUPs, Kayaks, and rowing boats.
You can even use it for recreational activities like fishing or swimming.
Moreover, it’s easier to maintain and prepare. Also, the inflatable floating docks are pretty convenient for traveling.
After all, they can be deflated. So you can place them in the back of your truck or boat until you reach your destination.
One thing you should consider is, these floating docks may require strong anchors if you plan to use them on windy days or rough waves. Furthermore, they aren’t as sturdy as the stationary docks, so you’ll have to be careful when anchoring your watercraft to them.
All in all, the floating docks are an efficient, convenient add-on for your water-based activities.
Our Top Three 10′ Inflatable Floating Docks
Not all floating docks are equal. Some have superior stability, while others offer fantastic durability.
As such, it can be challenging to find the ideal floating dock that meets your needs.
But, fortunately, some docks offer extraordinary performance in the water. Therefore, in this section, we’ll look at three of our top picks among these. So, without further ado, let’s figure out what makes these i-docks so exceptional!
Bote – Dock 10 Classic
Stable & Sturdy!
The Bote Dock 10 Classic blends stability with durability. It features cutting-edge technology and top-quality construction materials to offer a fantastic performance on the water. Plus, it’s an ideal platform for the fishing enthusiast!
So let’s take a more detailed look at it,
Performance Analysis
Stability
This floating dock is about 10 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 inches thick. These dimensions make the platform pretty stable regardless of the wind and the waves.
It has an optimal PSI of 10. It’s not the most rigid inflatable product out there.
But with a surface space of 100 square feet, its overall stability is superb. Which, in turn, makes it an excellent platform for anchoring smaller watercraft like kayaks, surfboards, or paddleboards.
Durability
With AeroBOTE technology and military-grade PVC construction materials, the Bote Dock 10 Classic is sturdy enough to handle anything you may throw at it.
Moreover, its incredible durability ensures that it can survive most accidental bumps, falls, and impact-based damages with minimal wear and tear.
So, in essence, you’ll be able to rely on it for years to come.
Weight capacity
It can safely support up to 1500 lbs or 680.3 kgs. As such, this platform can hold all your fishing gear and supplies for the entire family with relative ease.
Additionally, this dock has the same length and width. Thus it’s easier to place gear, cargo on it without sacrificing balance during fishing trips.
However, since it’s an inflatable, it’s better to load it below the maximum weight limit for the sake of safety.
VERDICT
Our Overall choice as the best floating dock for fishing.
Driftsun – Mesa Dock
Versatile & Durable!
The Driftsun Mesa Dock offers a near-perfect balance between versatility and durability with UV-resistant PVC drop stitch and heavy-duty anchor D-rings. Additionally, it comes with two powerful manual pumps and valves that let you inflate it in about 6 minutes!
So let’s take an in-depth look at it,
Performance Analysis
Stability
This dock is approximately 10 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 6 inches thick. So, it’s a bit smaller than the Bote classic, but it offers decent stability.
After all, since it’s only 6 inches thick, its center of gravity is lower and near the waterline. Thus, it has descant stability even though it has a smaller surface area. Moreover, it’s pretty rigid once inflated, and the heavy-duty D-rings make anchoring this dock easier.
In a nutshell, it’s stable enough to keep the party afloat!
Durability
Driftsun constructs the Mesa dock with multiple layers of polyvinyl chloride drop stitch that is UV resistant. As a result, the craft’s core is almost as rigid as an Epoxy core.
Therefore, it can survive almost any type of accidental impact and perform well for years. Additionally, it sports sure lock valves and reinforced D-rings that add to its longevity.
All in all, it’s sturdy enough to support several types of water activities for an extended period.
Weight capacity
It can carry up to 1000 lbs or 453.6 kg. So it does have a lower carrying capacity than the previous floating dock.
But that’s expected. After all, it’s smaller in size and not as thick. Thus, its buoyancy isn’t as good. But it is buoyant enough to support your family members and the essential gear and supplies along with a cooler.
All in all, this inflatable dock has a good carrying capacity.
VERDICT
A versatile floating dock ideal for several water activities like yoga, swimming, or snorkeling.
Solstice – Circular Mesh Dock
Specialized & Rigid!
Unlike the previous two docks, the Solstice circular mesh dock is more exceptional. It has a removable mesh center and supports a higher PSI level. However, these features do make the craft more expensive.
Nevertheless, let’s see what this dock has to offer,
Performance Analysis
Stability
Due to its circular shape and strategically designed center, the Solstice dock offers excellent stability on the water.
Furthermore, it supports 10 PSI which is higher than the previous floating docks. While inflating this dock with a manual pump is challenging, once it reaches the 10 PSI mark, it provides outstanding rigidity and a stable surface offering exceptional stability.
Durability
This dock features marine-grade construction materials along with stainless steel D-rings and reinforced grab handles.
Additionally, it boasts sturdy integrated cup holders and H3 valves.
The H3 valves hold air for a longer period and require minimal maintenance. Also, the drop stitch frame is durable enough to last for years on end.
So, in a nutshell, it has better than average durability.
Weight capacity
Unfortunately, since this dock is a bit unique, it does not have a specific weight capacity. But, it can, typically, support more than 800 lbs or 363 kg.
Thus, at first glance, it does not offer an excellent carrying capacity. However, this dock is designed primarily for relaxation and lounging. As such, it has a removable mesh center, and once submerged, it can carry a lot of weight on the water.
Nonetheless, this dock sports an average weight capacity.
VERDICT
The best floating dock for recreational activities and lounging.
Where Can You Use A Inflatable Floating Dock?
You can place an inflatable floating dock quickly in any body of water unless it’s too shallow.
I mean, you can place it in really shallow water if you want, but if the bottom is scraping the surface, there’s no real need for a dock unless you’re using it as a table, of course.
A more practical purpose would be to use these docks for fishing in the lakes and inland waters. They are highly stable and offer a lot of space. This way, you can fish in peace and carry all your fishing gear and supplies for an extended angling trip.
You may want to use an inflatable floating dock to increase the available space on your boat.
Furthermore, most inflatable docks have a pretty high buoyancy. Thus, you can carry a lot of extra cargo on it without sacrificing stability.
But of course, you’ll need to store the cargo strategically so the dock stays in balance.
“In a nutshell, the floating docks are highly versatile, and you can use them in almost all bodies of water.”
Are Floating Docks Considered Watercraft?
In the traditional sense, floating docks are not considered proper watercraft. After all, it lacks a source of propulsion.
However, other than its propulsion, these docks meet the requirements of being a watercraft. Therefore, you can quickly turn your floating dock into a watercraft if you add paddles, motors, or jets to it.
Still, the primary function of these docks remains the same: fishing, relaxing, lounging, and its primary use as a swimming platform.
How Do You Anchor A Floating Dock?
One of the best ways to stabilize and secure your dock is to anchor it. Fortunately, there are several efficient ways to anchor a floating dock.
For instance,
- You can use deadweight winch inserts, brackets to anchor your floating dock. For this, you will need to weigh down the dock so it does not move from the force of the wind or the waves. This method is ideal for deep waters.
- Another way to anchor the floating dock is to apply the stiff-arm brackets. Here, you’ll need to connect rigid poles or stiff arms to the floating dock and the shore. This technique is more stable, but it also requires the dock to be near the shore.
Besides these, you can also use multiple quality SUP, sand auger anchors to secure the lightweight inflatable docks.
Are Floating Docks Safe For Kids?
Floating docks are usually safe for kids. But, you may still want to get US coast guard approved PFD, life jackets for the entire family in case of emergency.
After all, the water and weather can be pretty unpredictable, and a life jacket may end up saving your little ones and give you enough time to help them out.
That aside, a floating dock is reasonably big compared to the standard SURF or SUP board. Also, it’s more stable and does not require the kids to put too much effort into balancing themselves.
So, in essence, the floating docks are pretty safe, even for the kids.
Can You Tow An Inflatable Floating Dock Behind A Boat?
In general, it’s possible to tow a floating dock behind a boat. But, these docks aren’t suitable for rapid movements. Thus it may require constant care during the travel to keep the craft stable and above water level.
In contrast, if you own an inflatable dock, it might be better to deflate the craft and transport it on your board when traveling long-distance.
However, if you plan to tow these inflatables, you may need to travel slowly and watch the tow lines to avoid accidental bumps, impacts.
Thus, while it’s possible, it’s better not to tow a floating dock behind a boat.
To Sum It Up
Floating docks are a great way to add functionality to your waterfront. Plus, it lets you enjoy the summer weekend with your entire family!
Moreover, the inflatable docks are an excellent place to anchor your SUP, rest up and recover your stamina.
In addition, they can be used on a fishing trip to lounge and relax, meditate or do yoga poses. These docks are sure to take your experience to the next level.
But don’t just take our word for it. Instead, pick up your new floating dock today and enjoy your next adventure!
Steve Frankland
Steve Frankland loves the outdoor life and getting out in nature. He loves writing and sharing knowledge. He's part of the team at thesupguru.com
He’ll find any excuse he can to get out on the water and can often be seen on a SUP with his kids and dogs.