Floating Dock FAQ: Inflatable Dock Questions Answered

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Every summer the same questions come in from the dock: how many people fit, how heavy the anchors should be, whether the jet ski can stay overnight. This floating dock FAQ answers the questions buyers ask most, in short, factual answers with the maker’s own figures where they exist.

In short: go by the maker’s stated capacity, depth and anchor weight; use a dock sold for PWC use if a jet ski is involved; check warranties and rules before any business use; and clean, dry and store the dock loosely rolled out of the sun. Longer answers are in Setup & care and floating dock types.

Beginner questions

What is an inflatable dock?

A floating deck made of drop-stitch fabric: two layers of PVC held flat by thousands of threads and pumped to a few psi, so it feels firm underfoot. Consumer docks are usually 6 in thick; some are 8 in.

Is an inflatable dock the same as a floating dock?

An inflatable dock is one kind of floating dock. Others float on molded polyethylene (EZ Dock, Candock, Jet Dock) or foam-filled floats. See inflatable vs rigid floating docks.

How much does an inflatable dock cost?

On Amazon in October 2026 we saw about $170 for a small budget dock, about $749 for Island Hopper’s 10 x 6 ft Yacht Dock and about $800 for RAVE’s 10 x 10 ft Aqua Dock. Aquaglide’s Docking Station was about $2,530 to $2,640 at dealers.

How long does an inflatable dock last?

Makers don’t publish a service life. Warranties are the best signal: from 90 days to a limited lifetime (RAVE), with 1 to 3 years most common.

Do inflatable docks come with a pump?

Some do. RAVE and Island Hopper include a hand pump; Aquaglide’s Docking Station does not include the pump, anchors or bridle.

Sizing and capacity

How many people can stand on a 10 x 10 ft dock?

Only as many as its maker states. RAVE rates its 10 x 10 ft Aqua Dock for 10 adults or 14 children. Don’t work it out from the size.

What does a load rating mean?

A figure such as 1,500 lb is often a static load rating, not a people count. Island Hopper labels its figures as load ratings. Ask the maker how many people it allows.

Why do capacity figures differ between stores?

Listings conflict. BOTE’s 10 ft dock shows 2,100 lb on BOTE’s site and 1,500 lb at some retailers. Ask the maker which figure applies to people.

What size dock do I need?

Count people and gear, then compare with the maker’s rating. Consumer docks run from about 6 x 5 ft to about 15 ft long. See lake docks.

How thick should a dock be?

Most consumer docks are 6 in (15 cm); BOTE’s are 8 in; yacht docks from Jobe and Yachtbeach are 20 cm. Thickness alone doesn’t give you a capacity.

Anchoring

How do I anchor a floating dock?

Use every anchor point the maker provides, with the anchor weight and line the manual asks for, lowered into place and checked after an hour. Steps are in Setup & care.

How heavy should the anchors be?

RAVE suggests 150 to 200 lb depending on the lake and bottom; Aquaglide asks for at least 1,100 lb for its Docking Station.

How deep does the water need to be?

RAVE and Aquaglide both ask for at least 4 ft. Aquaglide also asks for at least 10 ft from shore.

Can I tie my inflatable dock to a pier or my boat?

Check your manual. RAVE says not to connect its dock directly to docks, piers or hard objects, and warns that tethering to boats increases injury risk. Island Hopper sells some docks to sit beside a boat.

What wind can an inflatable dock handle?

No consumer dock maker we checked publishes a wind or wave limit. Ask the maker, and clear the dock when weather builds.

Jet ski and PWC docks

Can a jet ski go on a regular inflatable dock?

No, not unless the maker sells it for PWC use. A flat swim dock is rated for people. See jet ski docks.

Inflatable or drive-on jet ski dock?

Inflatable U, L and T docks hold the ski in the water and pack into a bag. Rigid drive-on ports lift the hull out; Wave Armor rates its Sport port at 700 lb for smaller PWCs. Rigid ports are not inflatable.

How heavy is a jet ski?

Check your model. Sea-Doo lists the Spark Trixx at 443 to 473 lb dry, before fuel, riders and gear; larger skis weigh more.

Can I leave my jet ski on an inflatable dock overnight?

Some sellers describe their inflatable PWC docks as temporary. For all-season storage, a drive-on dock or lift keeps the hull out of the water.

Commercial and business use

Can a business use a consumer dock?

Check the warranty first. Aquaglide gives its Half Deck 3 years for residential use but 1 year for light commercial use. Then check insurance and local rules. See industries.

Can an inflatable dock be used to board passengers?

Public passenger boarding is regulated. Singapore’s maritime authority, for example, requires passenger landing pontoons to be certified by a classification society. We found no consumer dock rated for it.

Who makes commercial and yacht docks?

Jobe, Yachtbeach, NautiBuoy, Henshaw, FunAir, FreeStyle Cruiser and Northern Diver, among others; most sell through dealers or by quote. See makers or request more information.

Do I need a permit for a floating dock?

Often, if it stays in the water. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulates structures in navigable waters, and states add rules; Minnesota requires a sheriff’s permit for rafts left out overnight.

Care, repair and storage

How do I clean an inflatable dock?

With mild soap and fresh water. RAVE’s manual rules out petroleum products, solvents and power washers.

How do I fix a leak?

Follow the maker’s repair steps with the supplied kit. Some kits don’t include adhesive; a PVC and vinyl cement such as HH-66 bonds PVC.

How do I store a dock for winter?

Dry it completely, roll it loosely and store it cool, dry and shaded, off concrete and away from rodents. Take it out before ice forms.

Will animals damage a dock left on the water?

RAVE says keeping its dock at full pressure discourages muskrats; otherwise take it out at night.

What is the best pump for an inflatable dock?

One whose nozzle fits your dock’s valve and that reaches the maker’s pressure, about 5 to 12 psi for consumer docks. Electric pumps save time on large docks.

Dock and anchoring gear we checked

Prices change often. These are the prices we saw on Amazon in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.

Still have a question? Terms are explained in the glossary, picks are in best inflatable docks, and the dock finder narrows the choice. You can also contact us.