Dock boxes

jayjay4735 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:12 pm

I don't really have any experience with dock boxes, and was wondering if there was a big difference in a dock box, and what places like Home Depot sell as a deck box. There seems to be quite a big difference in price and was just wondering if it would be worth the extra cost. This would just be to keep some cleaning supplies, extra life jackets, tube, and maybe my little shop vac in.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:15 pm

Be sure to check with local rules on prohibited materials. Our marina stopped allowing them after many of them broke loose and dumped all manner of nasty materials nearby after Hurricane Isabel. Various oils, lubes, fuel, paints etc.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:31 pm

A box is a box as long as it's secure. "Marine" dock boxes cost more cause they have the word marine in them. They're also typically made out of fiberglass so they fade, crack, and chip so you have to buy another one in a few years.

A properly bolted down plastic storage box isn't going anywhere and top of line ones cost around $120. You gotta be insane to buy one of those $800 blown fiberglass ones that took 30 seconds to make and $10 in materials.

jayjay4735 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:04 pm

Ric,

I kind of figured that they were priced so much higher due to having the "marine" designation. I went ahead and ordered a Lifetime 80 gallon deck box from Lowes, I'm sure it will meet my needs.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:58 am

ric wrote:

A properly bolted down plastic storage box isn't going anywhere ...

Which doesn't help at all when the structure to which it was bolted also floats away. Pretty much our whole marina was destroyed during Isabel. All the decking parted from the piles, and quite a few of those went too. Along with many of the boats still tied to them.

My point wasn't about bolting it down as that would seem obvious. My point was don't store oil, paints or other hazardous materials in it.

Flyer51 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:32 am

Our marina sells the fiberglass ones and supposedly doesn't allow others although the rule is not enforced. I purchased the fiberglass one and if I recall correctly it was around $600. I tried to buy elsewhere but the shipping will negate any savings. Mine is on it's sixth season and shows no chipping fading or wear. They last a very long time and I've seen old abused ones cleaned up to look like new in a few hours. The fiberglass ones I am familiar with are good high quality boxes. Ours is bolted to the dock.

The plastic ones look crappy after a few years in the sun. I can take side by side pictures when I'm back at the slip. On the hook right now and don't plan to go in until Sunday evening.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:36 am

ric wrote:

A box is a box as long as it's secure. "Marine" dock boxes cost more cause they have the word marine in them. They're also typically made out of fiberglass so they fade, crack, and chip so you have to buy another one in a few years.

A properly bolted down plastic storage box isn't going anywhere and top of line ones cost around $120. You gotta be insane to buy one of those $800 blown fiberglass ones that took 30 seconds to make and $10 in materials.

Are you out of touch!

Most clubs & marines want "dock boxes". There standard in there sizes and the add a clean look. The rubber maid stuff will not hold up and put a few on the dock and it starts to look like a trailer park. On the club and marina side, it just makes more sense because its much easier to police. My box is hitting 4 years old and still looks good.

Bill is right. At my club, no paints, fuel, oil,...... as a club rule can NOT be stored in them.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 2:02 pm

Yeah, it's tempting to just keep stuff there out of convenience. But after the storm there was enough mess made from all the box contents that the county made a big deal about it. So now we get no boxes.

Instead I rent a storage locker a few miles away. It's easier than taking all the stuff back home and close enough to act in place of a dock box for most stuff.

I wish we had large enough docks for all the amenities I've seen in pictures elsewhere. Dock side tables, heck even refrigerators! No chance of that with the tight quarters we've got on our docks.

ric · **Posted:** Sat Jun 15, 2013 2:31 pm

Yeah my father keeps a mini fridge, box, etc on his dock. It's always stocked with beer on a take one/give one basis.

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Dock boxes

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