US-based manufacturer of pontoon boats, Bennington, and Godfrey Marine, manufacturer of premium Godfrey pontoon boats and Hurricane deck boats, have launched Pontoon Dock Assist system to aid maneuverability for pontoon craft at low speeds.
The proprietary-engineered docking technology is designed to deliver precise control and improve handling at low speeds.
Traditional pontoon steering relies on a single propeller system, which limits lateral movement and makes docking in tight spaces or shallow water difficult at low speeds, especially in windy conditions.
Pontoon Dock Assist, which was submitted for an NMMA Innovation Award at the 2026 Minneapolis Boat Show, features an advanced hull‑integrated propeller design with bow and stern thrusters that delivers 360‑degrees of predictable control at low speeds. Controlled by an intuitive joystick, two motors mounted in the center pontoon operate side-facing ports for lateral movement and a center port for forward and reverse motion. This allows pontoons to rotate, slide sideways and navigate with precision.
Unlike adapted or bolt‑on solutions from other segments of the marine industry, the Pontoon Dock Assist is engineered directly into the pontoon’s hull to provide more precise movement exactly when and where captains need it most.
Assisted handling for pontoon boats
Currently available on select models in Godfrey’s XP, Sanpan, AquaPatio and Monaco series, alongside select models in Bennington’s R and Q series, Pontoon Dock Assist fundamentally changes the boat handling experience.
“Dock Assist gives captains unmatched confidence, even in challenging conditions,” says Ben Duke, president of Polaris Marine, which owns Bennington. “By integrating thruster technology directly into the pontoon’s hull, we are giving captains a tool that dramatically improves handling, so they can focus on enjoying their time on the water rather than battling the dock. This technology reflects our commitment to simplifying the boating experience and advancing intuitive, smart solutions that benefit boaters across our entire pontoon portfolio.”
Pontoon Dock Assist is designed as a scalable technology platform, launching initially on select 25in, 27in, and 29in centre and elliptical pontoon configurations, with future adaptability across additional marine applications.
Pontoon Dock Assist comes standard with a bow thruster, with an option to add the stern thruster for full 360-degree control. Currently, this feature is available on select models in Bennington’s R and Q series.
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