Let's talk fenders...

osd9

osd9

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
4,874
MidAtlantic
Boat Info
2003 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126-TA w/ ZF 80-IV
......and what type most folks use. I'm curious what some think are the advantages and disadvantages of the two most popular types?

I have always used the type that have a "tab" on each end. I leave a line attached to one of the "tabs" so I can just quickly tie off on the railing and hang the fender vertical, which in my case is 80% of the time. I carry spare, small diameter lines, for those times that I am up against a piling and want the fender to lay horizontal.

Presently I am carrying the center hole type as the boat dealer put a set of nice shinny white new ones on board when I took delivery.

I own both types, and over the years I have accumulted 20 or so large fenders. I have been carrying 5 on board, for no logical reason other than "because". I thought of just carrying both types, but for pure asthetics, I like to deploy all like fenders.

Also, what is the general consensus on using fender racsk on the bowrails of express/sundancer type boats?
 
I personally don't like the way fender racks look. I think they destroy the lines of the boat (let the flames begin :smt013 !). I use the fenders with the center hole as they came with the boat and seem to do the job. I carry 5 with me. Just my $.02.
 
I use the hole through the center fenders also. No good reason, just always used that type.
 
I think the hole-through-the-center fenders offer a tad more flexibility in deployment, although the difference is not huge. I also don't like the racks... particularly on a 'dancer. I imagine that in addition to altering the aesthetic lines of the boat, they also alter the sight lines for the driver. I had the racks on my Carver, but it was ugly to begin with, so I figured "what the hell". The racks are definitely convenient!
 
I have always used the tabs at the top - afraid the fender whip might pull through the hole - but the new boat came with 4 hole through the middle - type -so I am using them so far.

My Dad always told me he would disinherit me if I put fender baskets on a boat - He said fenders are not decoration.
 
Funny, I had recently been contemplating fender racks and am now rethinking it thanks to this timely thread. So where do you store the fenders when under way?

-Chazaroo
 
Transom locker on my 320 and 260. On my 215 there were side storage compartments where I keep my fenders. For those that have them - I understand the convenience factor.
 
I have never found the ones with a tab at each end useful. If you go to a floating dock where the fenders hang vertically then you have to do something with the whip that is tied to the low end. This usually means tying it off to the high end. At fixed piers they work OK but require each end be adjusted instead of just one end.

I prefer the hole thru the center style - here is why: If you take a line that is maybe 12' long and tie a knot on the end, feed the other end through the fender and tie a knot on that end once thru you have the perfect, most flexible setup. When going to a floating dock you just grab one end of the fender whip and let the line pull all the way through to the knot. Now nothing is dangling in the water. If you go to a fixed pier you tie one end of the whip to your rail or whatever then grab the other end, let the fender fall down the side of your boat, then pull it up with the loose end until it snugs up under your rubrail, then tie off the loose end. Easy as pie.
 
I like the hole through the center type for the reasons Jim just mentioned.

Does anyone use any of the various fender hanging height adjusters? There are several of these gismos available, but most look a little wimpy and my suspicion is they are likely to fail with any strain on the line. I’ve always been knot man myself but was wondering if any of these thingies actually work.
 
I use 1 adjustable clip for one fender that I hang from the rails. It was more because my wife struggled with tieing them on the rail. They are okay and are durable.
 
I prefer the ones that are round (as in "ball"). You see them on Coast Guard and police boats a lot. They are very versatile and don't ride up or twist out of position. Also very good to use on the floating docks in the North Channel of Canada. They stay out of sight unless they are in use.
 
:smt089 i'm here to defend fender racks! dont look at them as distractions, look at them as "accessorizing!" i'd never had them before this boat and had ALWAYS found fenders to be storage HOGS, esp large fenders, which i am partial to. i do see how they could affect visibility on a dancer but from where i'm sitting it's not an issue.

i have the ones with the tabs on both ends (see below). i like em just fine! :thumbsup:
 
We use the one's with the hole through the center. They seem to not get compressed as much and to me look better :huh: (personal preference).
Our's our white and try to keep them that way, we carry 4 aboard and even though we have have bow rails, I'm don't have the room nor like the looks of the racks either. :smt018

:cool:
 
Personally, I like the plain white tab on top kind. Carry four on board in the front locker. Works great on the 240.
 
I do not have racks..do not really care for the look. But I sometimes wonder if it would't be better than having them in the floor. I have the whole thru the center ones...the boat I bought had two of those already, so I only had to buy two more. I have never used the ones with tabs on top.

Do any of you have your fenders out when docking in your slip? Most of the people on my dock do not. My wife asked me over the weekend (have had the boat a year now) when I was going to take my training wheels off??
 
:smt089 okay I have the baskets too. I like them but they came equipped along with two kinds of hanging gizmos. One is a rail clip/grabber and the other is a velcro contraption. Both made it through the crazy winds from the "Big Storm" without a problem. I did break one of the clips and think the plastic gets brittle after a while.
 
I use the tab style. I have two hanging from the rail (bow and mid ship) via two adjustable holders, but I have the stern fender fixed in length. I have tried to make it simple for my non-boating guests to help out so I have knotted the adjustable ones so when the line is fully extended it is close enough, and they just need to hang the stern fender on the cleat.

I store the three under the rear seat while underway. I also keep three spares in my locker. One of them is a large HTM and works well when horizontal hanging is needed. (no I don't know why I need so many...)

I love it when my guests all try to help the guy adjusting the fender so it "just touches the water", and they all go to one side of the boat to give instructions to the adjuster, nearly tipping it over :smt043 :smt043 :grin:
 
I use center pull fenders, approx 12" diameter by approx 36". Big suckers. saved my hullsides in the many windy nights over the winter in the water layup. I carry two that size and three 10" x 30" center pulls.
I will not use racks. They create a blind spot on a sundancer and with all the debris in the water, lunatics in bass boats and on jet skis, etc., I want full range of vision forward.
just my .02
regards
Skip
 
I have 4, with top tabs. I also bought covers for them, as they seem to work better, are easier to "slide" in and out of the trunk, and the covers do dress them up when they're deployed.
 
Bottom Line said:
Do any of you have your fenders out when docking in your slip? Most of the people on my dock do not. My wife asked me over the weekend (have had the boat a year now) when I was going to take my training wheels off??
Click to expand...

yep...and will continue to do so.. in our winds and the narrow slip I have.... I'll take all the precautions I can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,217
Messages
1,428,790
Members
61,114
Latest member
Hercy911
Back
Top