5 Boat Dock Lighting Mistakes to Avoid

Hoping to make your dock more accessible in the dark? Interested in making your dock friendly to night-fishing or other evening activities? Want to know about some of the common, avoidable mistakes in dock lighting?

Whether you have the brand new dock of your dreams and want to make sure you show it off, would like to get more use out of your waterfront space during night and evening hours, or want to make your dock safer, lighting is an important addition to your dock.

But if you’re going to make changes to your much loved and much used dock, you want to avoid these lighting mistakes.

1. No Light: The biggest mistake you can make with dock lighting is not having any or not having sufficient light. Unless you never plan to take your boat out past 4 in the afternoon, inadequate light at your dock is a safety issue. Even if you’re not much of a night owl, dock lighting will keep your property and possessions more secure.  
2. High Fixtures: In your home, a mounted light fixture is typically placed fairly high on the wall, and you might be tempted to replicate that placement on your dock, but that would be a mistake. The best height for lighting on your dock is only 24-35 inches above the ground, lower than you might think, but remember: you need good lighting when you’re pulling up in your boat, standing lower than you do on the dock. 
3. Switches and Timers: Lights powered by a switch or timer can be more of hassle and less effective than the more ideal solar option for dock lighting. Solar dock lights will turn on and off automatically as conditions demand, not relying on a timer. If your dock sits in the shade, you can still connect your lights to a larger solar panel that can be set up with exposure to sunlight. 
4. Matching the Neighbors: If you admire the way some of your neighbors have set up their lighting, use it as inspiration, but make sure to incorporate something that sets your property apart so you can easily identify it when pulling in at night. You can use a distinctive color or pattern of lights to help you find your dock in the dark. 
5. Wrong Casing: You’ll be tempted to choose lighting that’s the most appealing to your aesthetic, but your top priority should be to choose a light that will last. A metal casing that rusts and corrodes with water exposure won’t look good for long, so you’ll want to go with a water-resistant option. 

Avoid these mistakes when making choices for lighting your dock, and you’ll be in good shape for a safer, more effective dock.

If you want the assistance of experienced professionals for your dock project, give us a call today. With more than 50 years in the business, we have a solution for you, from new customized aluminum docks to small repairs and accessories.