Proper Fender Placement

[rondds]

Hey Todd
Tying fenders to the VHF antenna was NOT a choice in the poll ;-)

fixed docks and pilings are not really an east coast thing. In certain parts of certain bays (Chesapeake, Barnegat), the tide swing is not significant enough to need floating docks. In Atlantic City, so close to the inlet, they are necessary.

 

[Pseudomind]

...I'd say get your priorities in order and you answer the question quite easily. Is your priority to properly secure the boat in the middle of the slip or is it to hang an air-filled plastic baggie off the side in an effort to minimize the damage from not properly securing the boat with the bitter ends of your docklines on the cleats in the first place.

When I use fenders, mine are always secured to the bow rails or rod holders...

I must be doing something wrong or missing a tying procedure. I typically keep a few fenders hanging from the rails at my slip where i keep my boat docked.

I am not quite sure how to tie it so that it would not be prudent to do so. It is not a floating dock, it is all concrete, I have about a foot of clearance on each side, but the tide typically changes sometimes over four feet in height.

Is there a method for tying which will adjust for the tide, where I do not need to use fenders? I am suppose to be in a no wake zone, but typically there are to many ignorant boaters zooming by, so I prefer my sides from not rubbing up and down along the dock, or the tide going out and the boat hanging by or breaking the lines.

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[Nehalennia]

Hey Todd
Tying fenders to the VHF antenna was NOT a choice in the poll ;-)...........

Yeah good catch, but it's just the line that's left over.

 

[BlewByYou88]

I find it best to just keep mine on davits, that way they are always ready, and the right height for any situation! :thumbsup:

 

[rondds]

Now thems r some fenders!

 

[Pietro]

Now thems r some fenders!

I wonder if they are tubeless :grin::grin::grin: My fenders are!

 

[MeEscape]

Anywhere it works.

 

[Gofirstclass]

To get around the nasty situation Frank addressed so eloquently, I added No-Mar fender strips around the slip. Now I don't need to use any of my inflatable fenders when I'm in my slip.

The No-Mar fenders ain't cheap, but they have a soft nylon-like material that doesn't scratch the gelcoat. They're also easy to clean, just hose them off or hit 'em with a power washer.