Inflatable Yacht Docks: Stern, Tender and Toy Island Docks

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The anchor is down in a turquoise bay, lunch is cleared, and the deck crew are easing a long gray dock off the swim platform. Soon there is a floating jetty at the stern: two jet skis nosed into their bays, a Seabob on its cradle, the tender alongside, and a wide deck where the guests sit with their feet in the sea. An inflatable yacht dock turns the water behind the boat into the best room on board.

In short: yacht docks are thick drop-stitch docks (Jobe and Yachtbeach build theirs 20 cm, about 8 in, thick) that clip to the stern or float beside the yacht at anchor, for swimming, the tender, jet skis and other toys. A few modules are sold through dealers from about $2,300; most yacht docks, tender docks and toy islands are built to the yacht’s stern and toy list and priced by quote. They are made for sheltered anchorages, and none of the makers we checked publishes a wind or wave limit.

What an inflatable yacht dock does

A yacht dock solves four jobs at once, and most buyers want at least two of them.

• Stern docking and swim access. A wide deck at water level across or off the swim platform. Jobe says its Infinity platforms attach to each other or to the boat with D-rings and Velcro straps, and its Infinity Gangway is an inflatable walkway that links the boat to a platform.
• Tender dock. A soft place for the tender to lie alongside while guests step across with bags and children. FreeStyle lists tenders among the craft its bespoke docks hold.
• Toy island. One floating base for every toy. FunAir says its Toy Island holds four jet skis or sailing dinghies, two Seabobs, two e-foils, Jet Surf or SUPs and several guests.
• Jet ski bays. A drive-on parking spot. NautiBuoy says its jet-ski dock limits damage to transoms and jet skis and makes transfers safer and easier; a 2015 charter article describes the problem it solves: guests hitting the yacht’s stern when they bring the jet skis back in.

Sizes and layouts, as the makers state them

Yacht docks come in three shapes: a single module for one toy, a platform run along the stern, and a linked layout with bays for several craft. Here is what the makers publish.

Model	Size	Thickness	Weight	Stated use or capacity
Jobe Infinity Dock	250 x 233 cm (8.2 x 7.6 ft)	20 cm	19 kg	Seabobs and underwater scooters; 300 kg maximum user weight
Jobe Infinity PWC Dock	345 x 250 cm (11.3 x 8.2 ft), U-shaped	20 cm	21 kg	One jet ski
Jobe Infinity Island / Island Small	296 x 448 cm / 217 x 332 cm	20 cm	Not published	Lounging and water sports; ballast bags with the large island; a dealer lists 800 kg for the 3.0 x 4.5 m island
Yachtbeach Platform	2.05, 3.08, 4.10, 6.16 and 8.20 m long	20 cm	22 kg (2.05 m) to 78 kg (8.20 m)	Stern platform; the 8.20 m covers 16.8 m² (181 sq ft)
Yachtbeach Jet Ski Dock Single 2.05	2.05 x 2.05 m (6.7 x 6.7 ft)	20 cm	Not published	One large three-seat jet ski plus crew on the walkway
FreeStyle standard jet ski dock (2015 article)	5.4 x 3 m (17.7 x 9.8 ft)	Drop-stitch	80 kg packed	Two jet skis, bow-in or stern-in
Henshaw Jet Ski Dock	Single and twin	About 100 mm drop-stitch top on a Hypalon tube base	35 kg single, 54 kg twin	Jet skis
SeaRaft jet ski docks	Shaped to the stern	Not published	Not published	One to six jet skis, one-piece or modular
FunAir Toy Island	Custom; no dimensions published	Not published	Not published	Four jet skis or dinghies, or two Seabobs, plus guests
Island Hopper Mini Mate Yacht Dock (consumer)	10 x 3 ft	6 in	32 lb rolled	1,000 lb load rating; sold to sit beside a boat, including in a marina slip

NautiBuoy splits its range into Sports (single platforms for yachts up to 20 m, about 66 ft) and Voyager (platforms that connect in several layouts), plus a J-Dock for jet skis, a C-Dock for the Seabob, an E-Foil Dock, a floating C-Shade and a transom extension it says inflates “in under 5 minutes”.

Multi-vessel layouts

On larger yachts the modules link into one layout: a stern platform in the middle, jet ski bays to one side, a Seabob or e-foil cradle to the other, and the tender on the outside. Yachtbeach uses a 12-point connector to join its docks to other platforms; NautiBuoy uses a patented linking system with an air toggle; Jobe uses D-rings and straps. FunAir’s Toy Island can extend the swim platform, trail behind the yacht on a tether, or be tethered off a beach or jetty for the day. Stay inside one maker’s system: connectors are not cross-brand.

Construction and materials

• Drop-stitch body. Thousands of threads tie the top and bottom skins together so the dock inflates flat and firm. Yacht docks are thicker than lake docks: 20 cm (Jobe, Yachtbeach) against the 6 in (15 cm) typical of consumer docks. See drop-stitch docks explained.
• Skins. Marine-grade PVC on most; FreeStyle offers drop-stitch or 28 oz Firmatex PVC with 100% welded seams; Henshaw puts a drop-stitch top on a Hypalon tube base.
• Deck. Non-slip EVA foam (Jobe) or teak-look non-slip covering (Yachtbeach).
• Hardware. 316L stainless D-rings on the Yachtbeach jet ski dock; ladder connectors on Jobe Infinity modules.
• Ballast. Water bags under the dock steady it. NautiBuoy fits 40 L bags that fill on launch (about 160 kg); Jobe supplies ballast bags with the large Infinity Island; the 2015 charter dock used water ballast bags.

Stated capacities and what they mean

Yacht dock capacities come in three forms, and they are not interchangeable. Jobe gives a maximum user weight (300 kg on the Infinity Dock). Island Hopper gives a static load rating (1,000 to 2,000 lb), which is not a people count. Custom makers describe capacity by craft: “one large three-seat jet ski plus crew” (Yachtbeach), “four jet skis or sailing dinghies” (FunAir). None of these tells you whether your 2026 jet ski at full fuel, or your tender, fits a bay. Ask the maker for the rated craft and weight per bay, in writing, and never work it out from the dock’s size. More in inflatable dock capacity explained.

Setup and anchoring at the stern

1. Inflate. Henshaw docks fill from a ship’s airline or a 12/24 V pump; NautiBuoy says its largest units inflate in under 4 minutes; Jobe packages the Infinity Pool and Island with a pump and ladder.
2. Launch and ballast. Slide the dock off the swim platform and let the ballast bags fill.
3. Attach. Yachtbeach secures its jet ski dock to the swim platform with its D-rings; Jobe straps to the boat. Lines should let the dock move with the swell without lifting it against the hull.
4. Link the layout. Join bays and platforms with the maker’s connectors, then rig a ladder or steps for swimmers.
5. Recover. Bring it aboard before getting under way. The 2015 charter dock packed into a 0.6 x 0.9 x 1.5 m bag weighing 80 kg, so plan the crew and the stowage space.

Off a beach or in a cove without the yacht, a dock needs its own anchors. Our guide to how to anchor a floating dock covers bridles, rode and anchor weights.

Advantages and trade-offs

Advantages	Trade-offs
Packs into a bag; Jobe’s Infinity Dock weighs 19 kg	Custom docks are quote-only, and the large ones need several crew to launch
Protects the transom and the toys when guests come back in	Made for sheltered anchorages; no maker publishes wind or wave limits
Grows by module: platform this year, a jet ski bay next	Connectors only work inside one maker’s system
Soft edges, no metal to scrape the hull	Must come aboard before the yacht moves

The fun part: an afternoon at the stern

The best yacht docks disappear into the day. The kids jump from the stern platform, swim ten strokes and climb back up the dock ladder without anyone lowering the swim ladder. Someone takes the Seabob for a run along the reef and parks it on its cradle. The jet skis go out in pairs and come back into their bays instead of circling the stern waiting for a hand. At four o’clock the chef sends drinks down to the deck, and half the guests never go back inside. That is why FunAir put a seat in the middle of its Toy Island: a place to sit between rides and swap safety gear. If the yacht has a slide, the dock is also where riders climb out; BoatSlide covers the best yacht slides and the platforms they land beside.

Safety at a yacht dock

• Engines and generators off near swimmers. The CDC warns carbon monoxide collects near the stern and advises staying at least 20 ft from a running engine or generator. The Coast Guard’s boater’s guide says the safest action when people are in the water near your boat is to shut off the engine.
• Life jackets. The Coast Guard requires an approved wearable life jacket for each person aboard, and children under 13 must wear one while under way (state rules vary). In 2024, drowning caused about three quarters of boating deaths, and 87% of those victims were not wearing a life jacket. Jet ski riders wear one every ride.
• Shore power in a marina. Electric shock drowning happens when current leaks into the water. Tennessee’s State Fire Marshal advises never swimming within 100 yards of a freshwater marina, boatyard or any dock using electrical power, and having the boat tested for leaks once a year. Swim from the dock at anchor, not in the marina.
• Depth and diving. The water under a stern can be shallower than it looks in clear water. Check the depth before anyone jumps, and keep jet ski traffic away from the swim side.
• Supervision. The CDC says children need close and constant supervision around water even after swimming lessons and even when lifeguards are present. On a charter, assign a crew member to the dock.

Our dock safety section has the full checklists, including electric shock drowning and Coast Guard requirements.

Yacht dock makers compared

Maker	Docking products	Published details	How to buy
Jobe (Netherlands)	Infinity Dock, Infinity PWC Dock, Foil Station, Infinity Island, Pool, Gangway	20 cm, EVA deck, D-rings and straps; 3-year warranty	Dealers
Yachtbeach (Netherlands)	Platforms 2.05 to 8.20 m; jet ski dock single and duo; foil dock	20 cm drop-stitch, teak-look deck, 12-point connector	Dealers
NautiBuoy Marine (Netherlands)	Sports and Voyager platforms, jet-ski dock, J-Dock, C-Dock, E-Foil Dock, maintenance raft	Linking system, 40 L ballast bags	Quote
Henshaw Inflatables (UK)	Jet ski docks single and twin, platforms, sea pools	Hypalon tube base, drop-stitch top	Quote
FunAir (USA)	Toy Island, Water Sports Dock, Swim Platform Extension	Launched at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show; Sea Stairs included	Quote
FreeStyle Cruiser (USA)	Bespoke docks for jet skis, Seabobs, tenders, seaplanes; hull cleaning	Welded seams, ballasts and pumps included; 3-year warranty	Quote

Most of this market is quote-only. Send your yacht’s length, swim platform width, stowage space and toy list through Request more information and we will point you to the makers that build for it. We are an independent guide and don’t sell or make docks.

Yacht docks in our catalog

Figures as each maker states them; makers measure capacity differently. Check the product page for sources and dates.

Boat docks and gear you can buy now

For a day boat or a smaller cruiser, a consumer dock is the off-the-shelf option, and the right lines finish any yacht dock. Prices change often. These are the prices we saw on Amazon in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.

Check the Island Hopper Yacht Dock price on Amazon

Island Hopper’s maker page rates the 10 x 6 ft Yacht Dock at 1,500 lb (a load rating, not a people count) and gives it corner bumpers. It is a boat-side dock for calm water, not a jet ski bay.

The gear list

• Pump: the maker’s high-pressure pump, or a ship’s airline where the dock allows it (Henshaw).
• Lines: nylon stretches and absorbs shock loads; one line per attachment point plus spares.
• Ladder or steps: Jobe modules take ladder connectors; FunAir includes Sea Stairs with the Toy Island. See dock ladders and accessories.
• Repair kit: a patch kit and the right glue for the skin (PVC or Hypalon). See inflatable dock repair.
• Life jackets for every rider, and a throwable ring on the dock.

What a yacht dock costs

Item	Price seen	Where
Island Hopper Yacht Dock 10 x 6 (consumer)	About $749	Amazon, October 2026
Jobe Infinity Dock	About $2,295	Dealer (Nootica)
Yachtbeach Jet Ski Dock Single 2.05	€2,299 (out of stock when checked)	Dealer (Ritz Marine), October 2026
Yachtbeach Platforms	€1,889 (2.05 m) to €4,199 (6.16 m)	Dealer (Nootica)
NautiBuoy, Henshaw, FunAir, FreeStyle, SeaRaft	Quote only	Direct

For the whole picture, including installation and anchors, see what a floating dock costs.

What to ask a yacht dock maker

1. Rated loads per bay: which jet ski, Seabob or tender models and weights each bay is built for.
2. Sea state: the conditions it is designed for, since none is published.
3. Attachment: how it ties to your stern, and how it behaves when the yacht swings at anchor.
4. Inflation and stowage: pump or airline, time to launch, packed size and weight.
5. Material and seams: PVC or Hypalon, welded or glued, and repair support where you cruise.
6. Charter use: warranty terms for commercial use, and whether guests may use it without crew present.

Care and storage

Rinse salt off with fresh water before packing, dry the dock fully, and store it out of the sun in its bag. Check valves and seams at the start of each charter season, and carry the repair kit aboard. Our guides to storing an inflatable dock and maintenance cover the routine.

More: boat and yacht owners, marinas, rentals and charter, jet ski docks, modular docks, boarding and vessel access and best sea scooters. Back to floating dock types.

Latest guides

Yacht dock questions

How much does an inflatable yacht dock cost?

Dealer prices we found ran from about $2,295 for a Jobe Infinity Dock and €1,889 to €4,199 for Yachtbeach platforms. Custom docks from NautiBuoy, Henshaw, FunAir, FreeStyle and SeaRaft are priced by quote.

What is a tender dock?

A floating dock at the yacht where the tender lies alongside so guests can step on and off without climbing the hull. On larger yachts it is usually part of a custom toy island or linked layout.

What is a yacht toy island?

A floating base that holds several water toys and guests at once. FunAir’s Toy Island, launched at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, holds four jet skis or dinghies or two Seabobs plus guests, with a V-notch for foiling craft.

How big a yacht dock do I need?

Start from the toy list and the stern. Get each craft’s length, beam and weight from its maker, measure the swim platform and the stowage space, then compare published sizes: Jobe’s PWC Dock is 345 x 250 cm for one jet ski, and a 2015 standard dock was 5.4 x 3 m for two.

Can a yacht dock stay out while under way?

The makers we checked present them for use at anchor in sheltered water. Bring the dock aboard before moving unless the maker states otherwise in writing.

Can I use a lake dock as a yacht dock?

For swimming beside a day boat in calm water, a consumer dock such as the Island Hopper Yacht Dock is sold for that. For jet skis, only purpose-built docks are sold for the job; a flat swim dock is not rated to carry a PWC.

Is an inflatable yacht dock safe for charter guests?

Yacht docks are used on charter yachts, but supervision, loads and insurance are the operator’s call. Check the warranty for commercial use, keep engines off near swimmers, and put a crew member on the dock.