DIY Dock Improvements: Easy-to-Install ShoreMaster Accessories for Every Skill Level

The right mix of accessories can transform your dock from a simple, utilitarian platform to a true waterfront haven. Below, we walk you through essential ShoreMaster accessories for enhancing the convenience, functionality, and safety of your dock, enabling you to build a waterfront haven perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.

Why Upgrade Your Lake Dock?

Accessorizing your dock is one of the easiest ways to enhance the convenience, functionality, and safety of your waterfront haven. It’s also one of the best ways to encourage you to spend more time by the water. Instead of having your morning coffee on the kitchen counter or juggling gear back and forth from the truck, you can do the things that make it all worthwhile, right on the water’s edge. 

Whatever it is that led you to build a dock in the first place, the right mix of accessories can inspire you to do more of it – all while enhancing your waterfront’s curb appeal and property value. 

Getting Started: Assessing Your Dock Needs

To help you get started, think about how you use your dock and the activities you enjoy the most. Next, address any pain points or areas where convenience, comfort, or safety could be improved. Maybe you need better storage for life jackets and ropes, safer transitions and more mooring options, or better lighting for evening hangs. Focusing on your actual use cases (as opposed to romanticized desires) enables you to come up with the optimal mix of dock accessories without overwhelming your space (or your budget). 

Quick & Easy DIY Enhancements

When upgrading your dock, we always recommend starting with making it safer. Here are the must-have ShoreMaster accessories that instantly make your waterfront a safer space:

• Pivoting Dock Ladder: Available in 3-, 4-, and 5-step configurations, ShoreMaster’s dock ladders feature a vertical pivoting action and locking pin so you can flip up the ladder when not in use. They provide a secure and convenient way to get in and out of the water, whether coming from a refreshing swim or a leisurely kayak ride.

• Quick Steps: Available in 4- and 6-step configurations, these versatile all-terrain steps provide safe and easy transitions from the shoreline to the dock. They feature a pivoting hinge design for handrails, allowing you to fit them to nearly any slope. You can connect multiple sets of Quick Steps for longer, steeper banks and create a safe walkway from the lake house to the shore. 

• Dock Bumpers: Protect your boat and dock from bumps and scrapes, and save money on costly repairs with ShoreMaster’s range of bumpers and fenders (The Pricer, 2024). Made from non-marring, high-impact polyethylene resin that absorbs and dissipates impact, these bumpers are available in vertical, horizontal, and corner configurations, allowing you to add protection exactly where you need it.     

• Cleats: At The Shore Shack, we carry a range of dock cleats to add convenient tie-up points anywhere along your dock, whether you enjoy charging through the waves on your jet ski or exploring coves on your pontoon. 

The Shore Shack is your one-stop shop for the best boat dock accessories. Contact us today at 888-298-9702 for compatibility inquiries or any concerns. 

Stylish & Functional Add‑Ons

Once you have dock safety in check, you can move on to transforming your waterfront into the ultimate waterfront haven with ShoreMaster accessories that seamlessly blend form and function. 

• Dock Lights: Easily find your slip and stand out as one of the most attractive setups on the lake with ShoreMaster’s lighting options. Their Solar Dock Lights, for example, are mounted directly on the dock leg caps, resulting in an unobtrusive profile with no wires, no tripping hazards, and no wasted dock space. Available in warm white and cool blue, these lighting solutions allow you to extend your waterfront activities well into the night while instantly enhancing safety and ambiance.

• Furniture: ShoreMaster’s Homecrest patio furniture collection lets you turn your waterfront into the perfect hangout spot. The collection includes swivel chairs, coffee tables, loungers, umbrellas, and benches. Available in multiple color options to suit various aesthetic sensibilities, these stylish creature comforts are made from quick-drying materials optimized for outdoor use. 

• Storage: Keep your dock organized and clutter-free with our collection of watersport accessories, hooks, and multi-purpose holders. For avid anglers, ShoreMaster offers single or four-rod holders featuring an upright, secure design that prevents tangling and sideways leaning. Their collection of holders can also accommodate umbrellas, flags, fishing nets, brooms, and boat hooks. 

Meanwhile, ShoreMaster multi-purpose hooks provide a straightforward storage solution for swim towels, life jackets, wet suits, and hoses.

Anchoring, Connectors & Stability Solutions

At The Shore Shack, you can also find anchoring systems, mounting brackets, and innovative enhancements for seasonal docks. 

• Anchoring Systems: A solid dock anchoring system is your first line of defense against wind, waves, and fluctuating water levels. The PolyDock Heavy Duty Stiff Arm, for instance, lets you anchor your dock to a seawall, post, or other shore abutment without drilling into the lakebed. For calm-water installations, you can opt for the PolyDock Pipe Bracket or Pile Hoop, which offer simple yet secure mounting points to shore structures or pilings. 

• Accessory Brackets: We carry accessory mounting hardware for ShoreMaster, PolyDock, RhinoDock, and Bracket Buddy systems. These brackets are essential for customizing and reconfiguring your setup with minimal tools and effort. 

• Wheel Kits: Perfect for seasonal users, the Shore-End Wheel Kit lets you easily roll ShoreMaster standing docks in and out of the water. The kit includes two short leg pockets, two axle adapters, and two rugged poly tires.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Call us today at our Fergus Falls, MN headquarters or fill out this contact form, and our support specialists will get back to you. 

Customize with the ShoreMaster InfinityTrack System

ShoreMaster’s InfinityTrack dock accessory system offers the easiest, most complete way to customize your dock to your unique waterfront lifestyle. This revolutionary innovation in dock design utilizes tracks integrated into the side of ShoreMaster Infinity dock frames, allowing owners to add a wide range of dock accessories seamlessly using a simple T-handle. No drilling, no heavy equipment – just endless possibilities for customizing your dock.

Each InfinityTrack accessory is designed to slide into the tracks and lock securely in place, providing a clean, integrated look. And, since the tracks are on the sides of the dock frames, nothing gets in the way (Brinson Marine, 2019). The InfinityTrack Accessories system exemplifies ShoreMaster’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, providing a user-friendly solution that can evolve with owners’ waterfront lifestyles. 

Maintenance Tips for Lasting Performance

ShoreMaster’s dock accessories are constructed with premium materials, including marine-grade aluminum, stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, and quick-drying fabrics, to resist corrosion, UV damage, and general wear even in the harshest marine environments. 

That said, here are some tips to keep them functioning at their best:

• Clean dock accessories periodically to remove dirt, debris, or salt buildup. Use mild soap and water, avoiding harsh chemicals that could damage the materials. 
• While cleaning, inspect the accessories for signs of wear and damage and check the brackets and T-handles for corrosion, cracks, and other issues that could affect performance and safety. 
• If you live in an area with harsh winters, we recommend removing and storing your InfinityTrack accessories in a dry, protected space during the off-season.

Adhere to these basic maintenance practices, and you should be able to enjoy elevated waterfront experiences for seasons to come.

Plan Your Build: Product Pick List & Budgeting

We recommend taking time to list the exact products you need (along with the quantity for each item), especially if you’re outfitting a multi-slip setup or a marina. Don’t forget to include the necessary hardware or mounting kits, which are often sold separately. If you’re unsure of which brackets or connectors you need or have any compatibility concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our customer support team at 888-298-9702. 

Final Touches: Decor & Dock-Shaping Ideas

With ShoreMaster’s InfinityTrack dock accessories, you can easily transform your dock into a multi-purpose extension of your living space, creating distinct zones to suit every part of your day. Whether that involves a dedicated space for launching boats and jet skis, a play-friendly area for the family (replete with a Dockside Basketball Hoop), or an entertainment space with a Dockside Grill – you can do it all with the ShoreMaster Infinity Waterfront System. 

Thanks to the InfinityTrack’s plug-and-play design, adapting your dock for different activities is quick and intuitive. Slide accessories into place when the moment calls, then reconfigure your setup as your focus shifts, all without tools or hassle. At The Shore Shack, you can make your waterfront haven uniquely yours and make every visit to the dock feel like the ultimate getaway. 

FAQs

• What are the easiest ShoreMaster accessories to install myself?

To install or remove ShoreMaster accessories, just slide the accessory’s connector bracket into the InfinityTrack channel on the side of your dock frame, tighten or loosen the T-handle as needed, and you’re done. It’s a quick, tool-free process that lets you reconfigure your setup anytime to complement the day’s activities.

• How do I choose between vertical, horizontal, and corner bumpers for my dock?

For comprehensive protection, a combination of all three types is often the best solution. Horizontal bumpers are ideal for protecting the sides of most boats during regular docking. Vertical bumpers are essential when your boat's rub rail sits high above the dock or in areas with fluctuating water levels, as they provide continuous protection regardless of the boat's height. 

Meanwhile, corner bumpers are crucial for the edges of your dock, especially in tight slips or areas where turning and maneuvering could cause the bow or stern to make contact with pilings and other dock structures. 

• Can I install solar dock lights without rewiring or AC power?

Yes! ShoreMaster’s solar dock lights are completely self-contained and don’t require any wiring or access to AC power. They mount directly to the dock’s leg caps and use integrated solar panels to charge during the day, automatically turning on at dusk. It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make for both safety and ambiance.

References:

• The Pricer (May 7, 2024). How Much Does Fiberglass Boat Repair Cost? Retrieved from https://www.thepricer.org/fiberglass-boat-repair-cost/ 
• Brinson Marine (2019). ShoreMaster Accessory Showcase. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Zh1H503AjgQ?si=-jXojHk-EY3VqxmS