How to attach fenders

Wolfpacker

Wolfpacker

New Member
Apr 17, 2009
58
Sparta NC (Northwest Mountains)
Boat Info
220 Sundancer
Engines
4.3 L mercursier
Where do you and to what do you attach the rope for the fenders to?
Today when I was docking, the fender did it's job, but it was between the boat and the dock, pressed in between the two as the boat was moving forward. I had one tied around the Bimini frame where it mounts to the boat. I had a vision of it being pulled off. I also had one off the bow tied to a rail arm(the chrome bar support)
I imagine these just float while your are docking and there is no pressure, but could it get caught and pull hard enough to do some damage?

I dropped them off the side just before we unloaded the boat. I thought that would be better than waiting until I was siding up to the dock, I have my hands full at that point. Any advise or suggestions are welcome.
 
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Big difference between putting fenders over to protect the boat while rafting up and having the boat hit the dock or hand up on a piling during a storm. If conditions are such that the boat may be damaged, we don't raft up...simple as that!
 
I always use the rails at dock or rafting....

100_4257.jpg



.....And I especially use the rails for my storm/fender boards.....


100_4312.jpg
 
Only at the bottom of a stanchion, or an unused cleat. Tying on the top of the rail is convenient, but risks bending damage...just mho.
 
There's a very experienced professional captain at our marina that is always preaching about NEVER attaching fenders to cleats. Cleats are only for lines. PERIOD. Fenders go on to anything else but cleats, preferably rails. Doesn't work for most of the boats I see but I think his logic is that the dock lines should never be encumbered by fender lines.
 
gerryb said:
There's a very experienced professional captain at our marina that is always preaching about NEVER attaching fenders to cleats. Cleats are only for lines. PERIOD. Fenders go on to anything else but cleats, preferably rails. Doesn't work for most of the boats I see but I think his logic is that the dock lines should never be encumbered by fender lines.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with that. If you must use the cleats, make sure the fenders go on the cleats first. That way you can remove the dock line easily/quickly.

Nothing wrong with use the rail for light situations. While in a slip, the lines should be adjusted correctly so that the boat doesn't touch the dock anyways. Certainly, mounted down at the base of the stanchion is much stronger than on the actual rail.

There a numerous types of "fender cleats" that can be installed on your boat. Here's a brief overview of some of the more popular ones: http://petersmarine.blogspot.com/2009/03/boat-fenders-and-ways-to-hang-them.html
 
Goggle Nauticalcross. They are designed to hold fenders. Work great on floating docks and when rafting. I alway carry two of them. Fenders shaped like balls instead of cylinders (USCG uses them) also work the best.
 
Nice video - thanks for posting the link. I had the plastic hangers with the jamb feature until I made the mistake of turning them upside down (no knot on top).... heard 2 distinct splashes and watched them sink. sigh.... I've been using a clove hitch until I get replacements but think I trust the actual hangers vs. my knot tying ability.
 
I have these handy little clip things I found at West Marine that clip to the rails. I don't like to cruise with the fenders flapping in the wind, but like to have them hanging when I'm going through the locks. Not having to tie and adjust and untie all the time is great.
 
What many of you bigger boat owners don't realize is that your boats don't do as much bouncing as the smaller boats in rough water. So that is why I say cleat only on my boat. I won't risk the bow rails under tension. I agree, I attach the fender first then the line.
 
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