Key Takeaways
- The right accessories make your pier safer, easier to use, and easier on your boat.
- Cleats, bumpers, and ladders are the basics. Lights, benches, and steps make the pier more comfortable to use.
- Accessories are usually made for specific dock systems, so match them to your dock brand and model.
- Solar dock lights add safety at night with no wiring. Wired lighting needs proper electrical work.
- Plan for fall removal. Good accessories fold, lift out, or come off with the pier.
A good pier gets you to the water. The right accessories make it a place you want to spend time.
Cleats keep your boat tied off. Bumpers protect the hull. Lights guide you home after dark. Ladders, benches, and steps make the whole shoreline easier to use for everyone from kids to grandparents.
Here is a practical guide to the dock accessories we see work best on Wisconsin lakes, and how to choose the right ones for your pier.
Start With How You Use Your Pier
Before you pick accessories, think about your day on the water.
- Do you tie up a boat at the pier, or does it live on a lift?
- Do kids and guests swim off the end?
- Do you head out early or come back after dark?
- Do you launch kayaks or paddle boards?
- Is the walk from the shore to the pier steep or uneven?
Your answers point to the accessories that matter most. A fishing pier with a lift needs different upgrades than a family swim pier.
Dock Cleats
Cleats are the anchor points for your dock lines. Every pier that ties up a boat needs them, even if the boat usually sits on a lift. Visiting boats and quick stops need a secure place to tie off.
Types of cleats
- Aluminum and galvanized cleats: Strong and corrosion resistant. A good all-purpose choice.
- Nylon cleats: Lightweight and easy on dock lines. Good for smaller boats and lighter duty.
- Folding cleats: Fold flat when not in use. They cut down on stubbed toes and tripping, which matters on a busy family pier.
- Mini cleats: For kayaks, paddle boards, and small craft.
Cleat placement tips
Put cleats where you will actually tie off: near the bow and stern positions of your usual boat, plus a spot or two for spring lines. Add a cleat near the end of the pier for guests. Size the cleat to your dock line. A cleat that is too small for the line will not hold it well.
For a small cost, cleats make docking safer and easier.
Solar Dock Lights
Coming back to the pier after sunset is a lot easier when you can see it. Dock lights mark the edges and the end of the pier, light the walkway, and help guests find their footing at night.
Why solar makes sense
Solar dock lights charge during the day and turn on at dusk. There is no wiring, no trenching, and no electrician. That makes them a natural fit for seasonal piers that come out every fall.
Common styles
- Post-mounted lights: Sit on top of dock posts or pilings and light the area around them.
- Deck-mounted lights: Mount flush or low on the decking to mark edges and walkways.
- Side-mounted lights: Attach to the side of the dock frame and mark the outline from the water.
A few lights along the edges and one or two at the end usually do the job. More is not always better. A soft glow is easier on the eyes and on your neighbors than bright floodlights.
Wired lighting
Some owners want brighter, wired lighting on the pier or boathouse. That is doable, but water and electricity demand proper work. Wired lights need GFCI protection and should be installed by a licensed electrician. Our boat lift electrical guide covers the safety basics that apply to docks too.
Bumpers
Bumpers protect your boat and your pier when they meet. Wind, waves, and wakes push boats into the dock, and a hard edge can gouge gelcoat or dent aluminum fast.
- Edge bumpers: Run along the side of the pier where boats tie up.
- Corner bumpers: Protect the corners, which take the most hits.
- Post bumpers: Wrap vertical posts that boats can rub against.
If you tie up at your pier often, bumpers are one of the best investments you can make. They are also a must on busier lakes like Lake Monona, where wakes roll in all day.
Ladders
A ladder gets swimmers out of the water safely. Without one, climbing onto a pier is hard on anyone, and it gets harder with age.
Look for a ladder with wide, non-slip steps and sturdy handrails. Flip-up or lift-out ladders are a smart choice in Wisconsin. They can be raised out of the water when not in use, which keeps weeds and algae off, and they come out easily for fall removal.
Benches
A bench turns your pier into a place to sit, fish, watch the sunset, or keep an eye on the kids. Dock benches mount to the pier frame so they stay put in wind. Some include storage for life jackets and gear.
Steps and Handrails
The transition from shore to pier is often the trickiest part of the walk. Steep banks, uneven ground, and wet grass cause slips. Steps and handrails make that first stretch safer, especially for kids, older guests, and anyone carrying gear.
Handrails along the pier itself help too, especially on longer piers or piers that sit higher above the water.
Kayak Launches and Paddle Board Racks
Kayaks and paddle boards are more popular on our lakes every year. Getting in and out from a regular pier can be awkward. A kayak launch gives you a stable way to slide in and out without tipping. A rack keeps boards and paddles off the decking and out of the way.
Decking Upgrades
Your decking is the surface you touch every day. Worn, splintered, or slippery decking is worth upgrading. Aluminum, wood, and composite decking all have trade-offs in heat, grip, weight, and upkeep. Our comparison of aluminum and wood docks explains the differences on Wisconsin lakes.
Boat Lift Accessories
If your boat sits on a lift next to the pier, the lift has its own set of upgrades: canopies, bird deterrents, motors, remotes, and solar charging. A canopy is one of the most popular. Our guide to boat lift canopies covers what to know.
Match Accessories to Your Dock System
This is the step owners most often miss. Dock accessories are usually designed for specific dock systems. A bench or ladder made for one brand may not mount correctly on another.
The brands we sell each offer accessories for their own systems:
- Hewitt makes a wide range of dock accessories for its dock lines, including cleats, solar lights, and bumpers.
- Clearwater Piers offers deck options and accessories like benches, ladders, stairs, and boat bumpers for its galvanized pier frames.
- Endres offers pier accessories for its modular galvanized piers and docks.
We help you choose accessories that fit your dock brand and model, then install them properly. If you have an older or mixed system, we can help figure out what will work. See our docks and piers page for the systems we carry.
Plan for Fall Removal
In Wisconsin, most piers come out every fall. Your accessories need to come out with them, or at least not get in the way.
Good accessories fold up, lift out, or unbolt easily. Solar lights, flip-up ladders, and removable benches all make removal faster and reduce the chance of damage. When our crew removes your pier, we handle the accessories too and note anything that needs repair before spring. Learn more about our dock removal service.
Repairing or Replacing Worn Accessories
Cleats crack, bumpers wear through, ladder steps break, and handrails loosen. Worn accessories are a safety issue, not just a looks issue. We repair and replace dock accessories for all brands, often during spring install or fall removal. See our repair service.
Buying a used pier? Accessories can often be added to used docks too. Check our used docks and lifts.
Want to upgrade your pier? Call us at 608-513-0690 or request a free estimate. We serve Lake Wisconsin, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, and Lake Kegonsa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accessories does every dock need?
At minimum, cleats for tying up, bumpers to protect boats, and a ladder for getting out of the water. Lights, benches, and steps are the next most popular upgrades.
Are solar dock lights bright enough?
Solar dock lights are made to mark edges and walkways, not to flood the area with light. For most piers, that is exactly what you want. If you need brighter light, wired lighting is an option with proper electrical work.
Can I add accessories to my existing dock?
Yes, in most cases. Accessories are usually designed for specific dock systems, so we match them to your dock brand and model.
Do dock accessories need to come off in winter?
Most piers in Wisconsin come out for winter, and the accessories come out with them. Choose accessories that fold, lift out, or unbolt easily.
Can you add accessories to a used dock?
Yes. We offer accessories such as ladders, benches, canopies, and handrails that can be added to most used docks and lifts.
Where should I put cleats on my dock?
Place cleats at the bow and stern positions of your usual boat, plus spots for spring lines and a guest cleat near the end of the pier.
