Automatic Fenders

[Creekwood]

Furthering the insanity...are the round fenders/bumpers not also buoys?

In an effort to be "CSR politically compliant" you'll hear me refer to them as "BALLS" if you ever see me around. No ruffled feathers here.

This is how I safely store my balls during winter layup.

See, that is exactly why it is so critical to use the correct nautical terms. Not just to sound really cool, but to avoid seriously awkward situations. You wouldn't want to be out boating with a buddy and ask him to "grab your balls and put them overboard".

 

[Joint Custody]

And is it fuel or gas?

 

[bajturner]

And for the rest of you out there, there is a long rivalry between those from Toronto (go Leafs) and those from Ottawa (goddamn Senator trash). So I hope that is part of it.

Gotta be!

 

[Stee6043]

See, that is exactly why it is so critical to use the correct nautical terms. Not just to sound really cool, but to avoid seriously awkward situations. You wouldn't want to be out boating with a buddy and ask him to "grab your balls and put them overboard".

If only you knew the people I regularly boat with "hey, nice balls" is quite common. "hey, mind if I ask you how much you paid for those balls?". It's never ending. And I wish I was joking...

 

[Gofirstclass]

And is it fuel or gas?

Fuel is for diesels, gas is for, well, gas engines.

 

[TonyQSC500]

don't forget Motors or Engines...

 

[Gofirstclass]

Dumb Arse vs Smart Arse.


I think both are synonomous.

 

[Woody]

Fuel is for diesels, gas is for, well, gas engines.

Sorta.....both diesel and gas are fuels, one is called 'diesel fuel', the other is gasoline. I've seen many/maybe even most boaters use 'I've got to fuel up' or 'I've got to gas up' interchangeably when they're referring to their need for more 'fuel'. Just like some marina's call the dock where you refuel the gas dock even though you can get diesel there too.

When I first arrive I might tell the dock hand I want fuel and a pumpout but if the dock hand doesn't ask 'gas or diesel' then I make sure to tell them. I also remove the fill cap so there's no mistaking where the nozzle is to be put.

If you walk in a bar and just say 'I want beer' chances are sometimes you won't get the kind you want.

 

[GoFastr]

See, that is exactly why it is so critical to use the correct nautical terms. Not just to sound really cool, but to avoid seriously awkward situations. You wouldn't want to be out boating with a buddy and ask him to "grab your balls and put them overboard".

LOL LOL!
I am just getting around to reading this and now I can't even see my screen anymore!
I was eating lunch and had a mouth full of my grilled cheese and tomato soup and just lost it all over my PC screen laughing so hard!
Thanks all, love the humor, you are a real blessing in these stay at home times!

 

[Groucho]

Fuel is for diesels, gas is for, well, gas engines.

True story...I was flying on a United Flight a couple years ago. We were supposed to have a layover in Chicago. Bad weather forced us to circle as there was then a backup for landings. After a few laps around the Pilot announced we had to land in an alternate airport because we needed gas....

 

[GJarrett]

.. what was the subject again?

 

[Knotayat]

"cars have bumpers, boat have fenders"

So, what are you driving if you get into a fender bender?

 

[Blueone]

So, what are you driving if you get into a fender bender?

The only time I hit another driver is when
I was in a bumper car

 

[Blueone]

If you search goggle for a fender picture.... this is a sampling of what you get. The entire search not one bumper

 

[bajturner]

We're still talking about boats, right?

 

[copb8tx]

View attachment 83961

I want one of these!

 

[Groucho]

I think it's a fender till you hit something...Then a bumper if you do... ;-)

 

[Gofirstclass]

I think it's a fender till you hit something...Then a bumper if you do... ;-)

Naw, then it becomes an AwSh!t!

 

[Creekwood]

This is a boat with bumpers. (Le Boat)

This one has bumpers AND fenders:

 

[bobeast]

Back on topic...

Got the automatic fenders installed and dialed in. Will post some pictures when I get the chance to take some, but really they wouldn't be much different than the brochures.

If you single-hand, these things are a real life-saver. (or at least a major stress-saver). No more climbing around on the narrow walkway with your head on a swivel while the wind and current push you around. They have 3 preset positions. Stowed (of course), Rub rail, and Dock. They can be controlled individually, or as a pair. Once you calibrate the presets, you simply push the appropriate button in the app, and your fenders move into the correct position. I raft up quite often, so the Rub rail preset works quite nicely for that. You can also manually control them in cases where the presets do not match the situation.

Once underway, a single button push stows them in their home position which IMO looks a lot better than those upright fender holders.

The motor / battery boxes are larger than I'd like, but with solar panels and a big battery, I guess the volume is needed.

One minor nit, is that the fender end opposite of the control box, needs to be fixed to an upright stanchion. If your stanchion happens to be located forward of the curve on the rub-rail, your fender may be a bit more forward than you'd like. I'm considering going up one size in forward fenders to compensate. I hope this makes sense.

I only installed a single pair for the forward fenders, as I can reach the aft ones from the cockpit. However the app can accommodate 4 fenders.

Please note that no "bumpers" were harmed in the making of this review.