Learned many years ago "The poles are your friend". I tried all that stuff over the years. It always gets messed up somehow. I now just live with the rub rail touching the pole every now and then. Never have done any harm. If I get a splinter around a screws I just clean it up.

 

I agree with Craig. At low speeds rubbing against a piling is not a worry for me. I've done much worse.

I have seen folks run a line from the piling to the dock to help against the winds. It's kept there all season.

 

There is also the cumbersome method of using a fender board. That’s a board hung horizontally with two fenders hung between the board and the hull. The board contacts the pole (or sea wall caisson). Friends who’ve done the Great Loop say they’re invaluable going through locks.

 

Stainless steel is harder than treated pine piling. I never give it a thought when pulling into our slip. Boat is undamaged by the rub. The prevailing winds on our beam means this happens virtually everytime the boat leaves or pulls into the slip. The one thing I have learned from 45 years of power boating is to do a drive by of transient slips before puliing imto them. Many rental slips have nails and screws in them left over from carpets and other stuff that was put there to protect boats. When the carpet goes away the fasteners can play havoc with gel coat.

 

I agree with Craig. At low speeds rubbing against a piling is not a worry for me. I've done much worse.

I have seen folks run a line from the piling to the dock to help against the winds. It's kept there all season.

I totally agree and understand what you’re saying. But the barnacles on the lower pole always get me nervous when it’s low tide. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy knowing I’m rubbing up against something soft LOL. I also only have 3 inches on either side to squeeze into my slip between the poles.

 

If you use them to rub, then barnacles will not form. There is a reason why your rub rail protrudes beyond the hull.

 

The poles are Your friend as stated above.

Occasionally a “helpful” passenger onboard tries to push off the pole......even after being told to leave it alone..... hope you enjoyed YOUR last time on the boat.

 

The poles are Your friend as stated above.

Occasionally a “helpful” passenger onboard tries to push off the pole......even after being told to leave it alone..... hope you enjoyed YOUR last time on the boat.

Guys..I'm not sure where this is going..." Enjoyed last time on my boat?"I know there my friend, I use them ect... I don't know what you do, but I NEVER ASK my passengers to push off a pole. Sorry, but your not stopping a 19000 pound boat. I don't need any broken bones or worse! If you are doing it , I would recommend you don't anymore. ,I was just asking if there was some type of coverings any of you put on them? As I stated, at low tide there are barnacles that build up and have to scrape them often. Yes I can pull pieces of wood out of my rub rail screws ect, but why should I if re is something I can cover the pole with! I have a 6 1/2 foot tide swing where I am.

 

I have my guest on the swim platform shutting down the harbor freight genny

 

I put these on the poles at my slip. They have some cushion and give to them so would be good in a tight fit but will keep you off the post a little. They will get barnacles on them to if submerged at low tide.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/tayl....com/buy/taylor-made--5-1-2-x-2-1-4-dock-and-post-bumper--14536270?recordNum=35

 

One marina I stay in often as a transient just put in new pilings. They replaced the wooden pilings with rusty pipe. I had them put a PVC sleeve on the piling of the slip I always use, it's easier on the rub rail. I don't know anything about barnacles.

 

That's an idea also. Not sure about the barnacles also. It would be cool to put a say 10" ( would have to measure the pole) sleeve 8 feet long on the pole.

 

http://www.sureguard.ca/plastic-bollard-coversThey make plastic sleeves that slide over parking lot bollards. These protection bollards are usually steel pipes filled with concrete. You also see them in such places as the entrance to doors at various super stores to protect against shopping carts, etc.

 

Loose fitting PVC with a cap on top would also roll when contacted by the boat. This is a good thing as it would cut down on rub rail rash.

 

How many of you have to pull into your slip between 2 pilings? Where I am These sometimes save me in high winds. Resting the stern on one and backing in. What many do is wrap them with carpet to protect there boat from barnacles, but this only lasts a couple of years. Some use gym floor mats and they held up pretty good, but cost a lot if you don't know anyone throwing them away. I went and bought a couple of the 3" bumpers that run down the pole, but that only helps if you back straight in. Just wondering what you guys use? Here's a pic. I'm bored today..LOL Thanks
View attachment 79657 View attachment 79658

You made a good choice.
My dock is a side tie, not a back in slip, but I have the exact same Taylor Made Bumpers that you installed.
I put mine in with galvanized nails about 11 years ago and they work great.
My canal runs north to south and my property is on the east side. With the prevailing winds out of the southwest the bumpers get a good workout and never leave a mark on my rubrails.
I’ll be replacing them this spring because I’m getting my bulkhead done and will have new poles, but after 11 years the old ones still have plenty of life in them.

 

I have seen a few of these in my marina. i believe they ride up and down with the tide.

http://www.pilemate.com/

 

That pilemate looks pretty efficient.

I admit, when we have strong crosswinds, I enable my Docking on Command and skip the whole headache of it all.

 

Pile mate won't work. If you look at the picture, I have a fixed metal pole that a metal ring slides up and down in a almost 7 foot tide. If I was able to pull the top bolt out and slide a sleeve down to the bottom bolt I could get rid of the
carpet. Take a close look at the barnacles at the bottom. rub rail or not, it will scratch my boat. They build up pretty good.
.

 

Pile mate won't work. If you look at the picture, I have a fixed metal pole that a metal ring slides up and down in a almost 7 foot tide. If I was able to pull the top bolt out and slide a sleeve down to the bottom bolt I could get rid of the
carpet. Take a close look at the barnacles at the bottom. rub rail or not, it will scratch my boat. They build up pretty good.
. View attachment 79783

7’ tide.......Ahhh!...... you’re a north shore guy!