Boat Guard International

BoatSaver™ Dock Roller System

Installation Instructions

Important installation notes!  Please read complete instructions BEFORE beginning installation!

Get help!  Your new dock rollers are heavy duty!

BoatSaver Dock Rollers are built to take a beating, and to last a lifetime.  As such, the components are heavy duty.  Make sure you, and your helper are capable of comfortably lifting the rollers, and holding them in place while the brackets and bolts are secured.  To avoid dropping a roller in the water during installation, it is recommended that you use a safety line.  Secure one end of the line to the dock roller, and the other end to the dock while installing.  DO NOT tie the line to a person, or object that can be pulled off the dock should the roller fall, and make sure the line does not become tangled or wrapped around a person during the installation.

Check your parts

We have made every effort to assure that all of the parts necessary to install your rollers are included.  Check the parts received with the list provided before installing the roller.  Replacement bolts can be purchased locally, or are available from your local dealer, or directly from Boat Guard International.  If purchasing bolts and nuts locally be sure they are of the specified dimensions and materials.

Tools Needed

To install your BoatSaver dock rollers, you will need two 9/16” wrenches, open end or socket wrenches will work.  You may wish to have an extension handy if you use a socket wrench for installation to ease access to the bolts from different angles.

You will also need a length of rope, measuring at least 6 feet.  One end of the rope is tied to the dock roller, and the other to the dock, while installing to make recovery of the roller easier should the roller be dropped into the water.

Additional Tools Required for Installation of Back-Up Units

Power drill and 3/8” metal drill bit

Side and corner rollers do not require any holes to be drilled in the dock.  The rear, or back-up, units will require a hole to be drilled into the dock frame.  Use a power drill and a 3/8 inch drill bit, suitable for drilling into steel (or whatever material your dock framing is constructed from) for this.

Saw

On some docks, a notch will need to be cut into the surface decking, which is generally wood, to accommodate mounting the back-up unit flush against the frame.

Level or Carpenter’s Square

Finally, having a level handy is useful to make sure the unit is plumb (straight up-and-down) when you mount it.

Installation Steps

STEP 1 – Get Ready

Secure one end of the recovery rope to the dock roller.

Secure the other end of the rope to the dock frame, a cleat on the dock, or some other fixed part of the dock.  It is important that the roller be tied to a fixed object on the dock, rather than one that can be moved by the falling weight of the roller should it be dropped.

Get one of the brackets, and the required bolts, washers and nuts ready and place them where they can be easily reached.

STEP 2 – Place Roller

Next, place the roller against the desired vertical pole on your dock, with the plastic facing into the slip. 

For corner units or “A” models, the roller is mounted on a corner of the pole, such that the plastic roller faces 45 degrees toward the body of water at the slip opening.

“B” Model, or side units, mount on the flat face of the pole, facing into your slip.

Place the bracket on the back of the of the pole, lining up the holes between the bracket and the lower mounting point on the dock roller.  Place 2 bolts through the holes in the roller, with the threaded end facing the dock, away from your boat, and then through the bracket.  Secure a washer, and then a nut and finger-tighten. 

Repeat for the upper bracket.

STEP 3 – Adjust the height of the roller

Adjust the dock roller to the desired height for your slip.  Make sure the roller is low enough to ensure that the lowest part of the boat will touch the roller rather than slide under it (particularly the swim platform).  A good rule of thumb is to place the roller so that the bottom is at, or no more than an inch or so above the normal water line.

Tighten all 4 bolts on the brackets, alternating between sides to tighten each bracket evenly.

To Install Rear “Back Up” BoatSaver’s

The back up model roller is designed to cushion the impact of your boat when backing into the slip, and protect the boat and the dock from contact with the dock or foam floats.  A convenient handle is supplied to make boarding from the transom easier and safer.

STEP 1 – Get Ready

First, you will want to find the center point of your slip.  This is accomplished by measuring the distance between the edges of your slip, across the back, and dividing this distance by 2. 

Next, using the number determined in the previous step, measure half the distance across the back of the slip, and make a reference mark.  Measure from this mark outward an even amount in each direction to center your back-up units along the back of your slip.  Boat Guard Intl. recommends a distance of 1 ½ feet left and right of the center mark as a starting point, but this can be adjusted as you see fit to match your boat and slip.

At each mounting point, mark a 3” notch on the board at the face of the slip, at the desired mounting point to allow the back-up unit to mount flush with the dock frame.

STEP 2 – Mount the First Back Up Unit on the Dock

Lower the first back-up unit into the slot, catching the dock frame (typically angle iron) with the tab on the back of the roller.

Now is a good time to check the plumb of the unit with your level, or a square.  Make adjustments by tapping the bottom of the roller from one side to the other, until the unit is sitting as you would like.  Due to variances in dock construction, the unit may not mount perfectly square to your dock; it will mount closely enough that it will not be visible to the eye.

With the unit placed in the desired position, and using the hole in the tab as a guide, mark the angle iron, and drill a 3/8” hole.  Insert a bolt through the hole, from the slip side, toward the dock frame.  Add a washer, then a nut, and tighten.

To finish installing the first back-up unit, drill the top 3/8” hole from the back of the angle iron, all the way through the roller.  Insert a bolt, add a washer, a nut, and then tighten.

Caring for your Boat Saver Dock Rollers.

Your new dock rollers need minimal care.  They will easily clean up with a mild detergent, such as boat soap and water.  No lubrication is required, and in fact, should be avoided as many lubricating products include petroleum distillates which may damage the plastic, or leave a residue that will attract and hold contaminants that could impair roller performance.

Need Help?

If you need assistance installing your dock rollers, Boat Guard Intl suggests you first contact your local dealer.  If you are unable to resolve the issue with your local dealer, feel free to call Boat Guard Intl at (918) 542-6881, or or via our website contact form:  http://www.boatsaver.net/

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