Round Or Ball Fenders, Why Do So Few Vessels Have Them?

[MonacoMike]

In a docking post SBW1 mentioned that round fenders are the best, and I agree. When I commissioned the 3870 I chose two round fenders and four cylinder or tube shaped fenders, all properly sized for the vessel.

After 3 seasons of use I believe that I used one of the cylinder fenders one time, the ball fenders are awesome and do the job so much better. I actually am planning to remove the four cylinder fenders from the bow for better visibility, since I don’t use them much, and just take the two ball and two of the cylinder fenders when we travel.

Back to the question, I see very few boats on Lake Michigan with the ball type fenders, they seem clearly better to me, why do so few vessels have them?

 

[blaster]

Ball fenders are more difficult to stow.

 

[Stee6043]

I switched to big balls several seasons ago and have never looked back. Superior in every way except storage.

They are quite a pain to deal with when not in use...

 

[MonacoMike]

Ball fenders are more difficult to stow.

They sure are. My solution is I hang them in my home dock for storage and they would function if a line broke. (I do everything possible not to include fenders as a primary part of a home port tie up.)

When we travel they are either tied on the swim platform or in the dinghy on the swim platform.

 

[yobub]

They sure are. My solution is I hang them in my home dock for storage and they would function if a line broke. (I do everything possible not to include fenders as a primary part of a home port tie up.)

When we travel they are either tied on the swim platform or in the dinghy on the swim platform.

This is what I do. We use the cylinder fenders in fender holders in the boat that go with us when we travel. I have a mix of cylinder and ball that stay in the slip.

 

[bobeast]

I use Automatic Boat Fenders for the forward ones, which only work with cylinders. The rear cylinders stow nicely between the rails and the boat sides. I home slip between two fingers, so I just suspend the boat between them using lines and have no need to use fenders there.

Bonus points: Ball fenders are ugly.

 

[MonacoMike]

Bonus points: Ball fenders are ugly.

I always thought they looked professional and sturdy. The kind of thing you would see on a commercial tugboat.

 

[Stee6043]

Never thought we'd need to be defending the appearance of our balls here on CSR....

 

[Gofirstclass]

I used to mainly used tube fenders on Beachcomber but always carried two large ball fenders for use when going through the locks. They did an awesome job of protecting the forward section of the boat where the hull curves inward.

 

[MonacoMike]

Never thought we'd need to be defending the appearance of our balls here on CSR....

Don’t forget some are defending the appearance of their tubes…

 

[Pirate Lady]

I always thought they looked professional and sturdy. The kind of thing you would see on a commercial tugboat.

Thats why i hang old tires on the side of mine. But it wasnt on the vote.

 

[HawkX66]

I switched to big balls several seasons ago and have never looked back. Superior in every way except storage.

They are quite a pain to deal with when not in use...

Support helps...

 

[Richie89]

if you are tying up with other boats, ball fenders, no question.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I inherited a ball fender with my purchase. Not sure if I will use it.

 

[sbw1]

Most boats don’t have enough storage. Fortunately we had enough for nice size fenders. We began using round fenders when going to the North Channel. Cylindrical fenders do not work on the floating docks in Canada.

 

[my3sons]

We use both. Many times at the same time.
Ball fenders are the best for going through the locks and on floating docks.
Cylindrical are best on fixed docks on pilings, especially with tides when they can be hung horizontal. Cylindrical also are better for using fender boards with. Storage for that stuff is a pain, but when you're cruising, you need it all. We manage.

 

[FootballFan]

Thats why i hang old tires on the side of mine. But it wasnt on the vote.

If you used bed pillows as a fender, you might be a redneck boater.

 

[sbw1]

If you used bed pillows as a fender, you might be a redneck boater.

Old life jackets also work. We see those used often. They look best when hung from old clothes lines that double as “mooring ropes”.

 

[MonacoMike]

If you used bed pillows as a fender, you might be a redneck boater.

Not many here are going to get the origins of that post. LOL…

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Best of both worlds right here. Round and inflatable for easy storage. I bought four cylindrical fenders but I think I will buy two round ones as well for next year's cruising season. With Covid moving to the rear view, the club is once again planning cruise outs and several places we go we end up stern tie and rafting so the balls will come in handy. I love my Fendertex fenders.
PYI Inc. | Fendertex Inflatable Textile Spherical Fenders