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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Fenders - How do you store yours ?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/23/2006 : 21:38:00

Wondering how others store the fenders they use daily at their slip while they are sailing.

I use two fenders on the side against my finger slip. When I sail, I wedge the fenders between the side stays (the 1st and 3rd) and the cabin. However, sometimes the jib sheet hangs up on the fender stored on that first stay. It rarely happens but is annoying when it does. Anyone doing it differently/better way ?

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2006 : 22:04:10

Mine are tied to two stanchion bases, and just lie on the deck inside the stanchions.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2006 : 22:09:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Wondering how others store the fenders they use daily at their slip while they are sailing.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Most everyone at my marina attaches their fenders to the slip so they don't have to bother with them.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2006 : 23:41:58

I put them under the companionway ladder.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 05:59:42

Two of those answers I thought were pretty unusual - Tying to the slip and under the compainionway steps. Obviously, those ways work for youse guys.

I guess tying them to the slip makes sense from the standpoint that 99% of the time you come back to the slip....hmmm. Actually, I have not seen that at my marina. In fact, I think I recall a contract statement for the marina slip stating that in my marina, no one is to attach anything to the finger slips and it actually listed things like those fender protectors. The only way to attach fenders with existing attachments are on the finger slip cleats and that is at both ends of the slip - so that does not work for me.

Under the companionway steps.....I really like them up near where they will be used and not have to go down under and then attach them each time I return to the dock.

Tying unto the stanchions vs wedged....Okay...now we are talking ! That is a possibility for me. That would allow me to keep then still attached to where they normally are from the lifelines/stanchions and then I could tie them/attach on the deck near the stanchion - that would get that one fender away from the problem I am occassionally having with wedging it on the 1st side stay.

Anyone using one of those holders like I see on motor boats...or is that just as bad for getting the sheets hung up on ? Maybe use a small net attached to the stanchions and slip the fender into that - Then just take it out of the net when needed and throw over the side with the fender still permanently attached at the stanchion/lifelines same as now.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 06:22:02

My BIG fenders hang (not tied) from the cleats on my finger, I have a line that is tied off to both ends so they hang sideways for maximum protection. Larry, we have 89s, I also have several smaller ones in the anchor locker and in the fuel compartment (3 gal tank). If I needed them to fend off the dock every time I believe I would become famous for dragging fenders... which is known here as "loosing style points", (as is several other sailing faux paus).

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 07:02:39

I guess i am really losing style points !

I also have extra fenders in the locker but only use them when docking into my slip head on. I usually go in tail first and have the fenders permanently attached on my starboard side.

I am going to see what it says again in my contract but believe they do not want anything attached that requires putting extra cleats on the finger slip or those fitting that slip between the planks to use to hook thing onto. I will also see what others at the marina are doing but most do something similar to my setup except many are motor boats and have those fender basket holders. I guess my thought was that if I went the fender basket holder route, I would be on my way to converting the Cat 25 into a motorboat.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 07:56:36

We don’t really need fenders at our dock, though we have a really big one attached to the finger dock in case we come in “hot”. We keep 3 fenders in the lazarette and another two or three in the dock box they -- only come out if we are rafting off for something (fireworks, air show etc.) or going on a road trip where we might encounter any number of docking scenarios.

Back when we didn’t have a slip to tie off at all four corners, we stowed the fenders in the lazarette/sail locker.

We were always told it was poor form to leave them hanging or to leave them on the deck. I think the statement was, “sure you can leave them out if you’re a powerboater or driving a tugboat.” So I’ve always stowed them. I could see leaving them out if your single handing, but then again I’m going forward to douse the jib and tie the main down in some semblance of order, there is no reason why I can’t hang them at that point.

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 09:21:43

Larry,

I think another drawback to the wire cages for the fenders would be the visual obstruction. We have a good sized plastic hook in the lazarette and keep our docking fenders, and nothing else, on it. When we're getting within 10-15 minutes of the dock I grab those fenders with one hand and go forward and attach them to the stanchions. We have Bumper Buddies, or Fender Friends or whatever they're called, so I just have to slip them in place and then I attach a docking line to the bow cleat and one to the stern cleat and we're ready to dock. I usually don't drop fenders to their hanging position until we are on our final approach so as to avoid losing style points.

Edited by - on

jking
Navigator

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110 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 10:51:10

Sailing with your fenders out is like walking around with your fly open--you can do it, but it won't usually be flattering.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 11:08:24

Pam,
Why do you have your dock lines with you? Mine are lying on the dock. I cross my Stern lines and my Bow lines. So from the aft cleat on my starboard finger dock I have 1/2" Golden braid pre-adjusted for the sip length. The bitter end is made off for the season on the dock cleat and when I loop the spliced factory loop from the dock lines onto a bow cleat the boat is locked the exact distance from the head of the slip that I want.

Since my bow lines set the placement of the boat in the slip, the stern lines act to position/center and harden or loosen the boat in the slip. These stern docklines have the factory loop on the forward starboard dock cleat, leaving the bitter ends to be wrapped around the primary winches and then belayed on the stern cleats. This setup is duplicated on my port side; between my port finger dock and the boat. When I am ready to leave for the weekend I grab the stern lines like chariot reins and haul by hand and center the boat between the two fingers. I then harden the lines with a winch handle and make off the tails to the stern cleats. This creates a spring effect with the docklines, by crossing them you have added a lot of length that acts as a natural shock absorber and since the boat is always under dockline tension it does not jerk around. We have severe storms here in Kansas and my boats always fair very well. Also, when I get to the boat I merely slacken the port stern line and the boat can be re-hardened but not centered; set for boarding right next to the finger. I usually adjust my lines so the boat is locked nicely in place about 4-6" from the finger.

If you look closely at the forward dock cleat you will see a smaller line that seems to be lying from the cleat, off the edge of the dock, and into the water; is is part of the loop that the large fenders hang with. They are too far down to show.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 07/24/2006 11:11:12

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 13:38:34

These style points figures in more than I thought ! I may have to rethink what I also wear when I go out sailing !

By the way, I do not keep the fenders out on the sides dragging in the water - I have seen that occasionally by others. I keep them wedged betwen the stays and the cabin. They never really interfered with me going up forward because I usually go from the deck rail to the cabin top and do not walk past the fenders normally. I guess my feeling was that from efficiency point of view, the fenders required little setup since they were already attached to the lifelines/stanchions and only had to be unwedged and dropped over the side.

I oftentimes sail singlehanded and it was just a conveninece to have them wedged on the deck. I think I always have done it that way. I normally do not put them in place on the side of the boat until I am already into the slip and attached the docking lines that I leave on the finger slip and attach them to the boat. If I kep themn stored then i would be fiddling with them before even coming into the marina. Once in the slip, if i were to then jump out, tie up the lines and then go back in the cockpit to retrieve the fenders, the hull would be rubbing against the worn rub rail of the slip and further scuff up the hull. I guess my thought was that having them on the deck, as soon as I get off the boat to tie up, I usually put the fenders in place and then finish tieing up. Did not expect so many responses that fenders are stored. Learn something every day.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 13:55:05

Larry,

Would it be possible to hang your fenders temporarily from your dock cleats while you go out sailing, then hang them back on your boat when you return?

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 13:56:46

Double check your marina statement Larry. I bet they are referring to permanently attached goods. Such as those fender rubrails that are screwed into the dock or those training wheel things. It would be no different than tying a dockline there…

I’d even consider leaving the fenders tied to the dock, then actually moving them to the boat oce you are settled in.

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PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 14:59:57

Frank,

I should have mentioned that we're too new to have earned a slip on the dock. We're just out on a mooring with all the other commoners

When we dock it's at the transient dock, so our fenders and docklines stay with us at the boat. When we dock we pass each dock line around the bull rail and back to it's cleat so we can release our docklines from the boat and nobody gets left behind

Someday when we grow up and get a slip, we'll most likely do as you do.

I like the term "losing style points"! When our friends first started teaching us to sail they stressed the impropriety of leaving our fenders out and I guess it sunk in. And if I catch myself forgetting to pull them in I feel a lot like I've just discovered my fly is down

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 23:15:45

Too late tonight for me to check the cotract statements - I'll try and remember to check tomorrow....looks like it is already tomorrow ! Well...maybe tonight then !

Old ways are hard to break....Leaving the fenders at the dock and then putting them on the boat when returning to the slip...is a possibility. I still have my old fenders in the cockpit storage locker, so I could always use them if making an emergency stop somewhere else and leave my blue fenders at the dock. Just so easy to keep them on the deck....yeah...style points. I have sailed for so many years and now I have to think about style points ? What's this world coming to anyway ? Probably since there are so many motorboats in my marina...I have not lost many style points since they keep there fenders in those baskets.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 08:21:54

Here is an ODay 302 with double baskets on either side of the bow. I have no problems with baskets on the bow. They are for very large fenders and he has black cloth covers on the fenders. He has the most styl'n boat at the club.

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 12:01:33

Here's my 2 cents..
I put my fenders into the port-side locker. I have four fenders, which I take off when I am clear of the dock and in the fairway. I don't like to 'leave my zipper down' (bad form!) and I don't like to put them below because they aren't all that clean, and often are wet (and we have a lot of live-aboards nearby, if you get my drift). Also, I don't like a bunch of stuff on deck because basically anything on the deck is a hazard. I do want them with me so that if we go someplace for overnight, decide to raft to someone, or go for a lunch or dinner we can use them at the visitor's dock.

I keep my dock lines on the dock; like Frank's, they are set-up for correct placement in the slip. I have extra dock lines on the boat (starboard lazarette) for these other excursions.

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Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2006 : 19:23:24

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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 08:39:01

I have a 250 with stern rail seats .I hang the fenders off the top of seat with quick
release straps from west marine .they dont touch the water when healing and quick to
grab or put away wet .8" fenders are hard to hide.I dont worryed about style ,but they could
be stolen easy .2 years so far so good were on a morring

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 14:24:13

On our C250 we put 2 fenders for traveling in the port locker. That is usually enough for a transient slip or the fuel dock. We had permanent fenders on the dock in our slip. When I was on a Hunter 42 under charter we tied them to the lifeline inside the stantions - seemed to stay put okay.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2006 : 16:44:23

I also have two tied permanently to the stanchions and/or lifelines. I also have three extra ones in my storage area under the cockpit. Just to get some style points, I am resistant to storing the fenders in the storage area accessible in the cockpit because that is not all that convenient to get to daily. I normally have the full length seat cushion over the access to the storage area. It's not such a big deal lifting the cushion up to gain access but it's so much easier leaving them on the deck area. For just a loss of a few style points, I wedge the permanent fenders between the stays. If I found that the fenders created a hazard in accessing the bow area, etc, then I would reconsider my options. But I have not found this to be the case. Normally, I go from the small deck area adjacent to the cockpit seats onto the cabin top to access the bow area.

I guess my only real concern is that sometimes the fender wedged between the 1st side stay infrequently (but nevertheless sometimes) snags the jib sheet. I was thinking of getting one of those storage nets and attaching it with line flush with the deck in basically same area as I keep the fenders now. But with a storage net, I would not have to rely on wedging the fenders or at least not wedge one of the fenders at that first stay. The net should be sufficient to hold the fenders from falling overboard , etc.

But very surprised at the responses I received as to what others have been doing. So...for those that store the daily fenders in the cockpit storage area....each time you go out and approach your marina on the return, you move the cushion out of the way to gain access to the fenders in the storage area ? Seems annoying to me to have to do that for some style points ! If I keep my fly up and keep the fenders on the deck, I will only lose half the style points - Doesn't seem so bad !

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2006 : 23:44:27

Our fenders clp onto the life line and then store in the port locker when underway. The dock lines are backspliced and whipped to the proper length, and stay w/ the boat so we can capture the cleat as we make our final approach to the slip.
jl

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 05:56:42

Jerry,
Only problem I have with storing in the locker is that I have to move the full leangth cushion to gain access - Seems like a mild, but frequent pain to do that versus just unwedging the fenders from the deck and throwing overboard. maybe you want to consider my setup ? LOL

Frank - Thanks for the fender basket photo. So...fender baskets can be used and not lose style points ? If I put fender baskets up front, do i have to also buy a 150hp motor to go along with it ?

Don - you posted way long time ago and forgot to consider your suggestion. yes - i could rig up a tempoarary/quick disconnect leaving the fenders on the slip/dock cleats and then attach to my lifelines when i return.

Hmmm! I may consider that ! It's not like I do not have other fenders in case I decided to put in elsewhere. In that case, i would then get them out of the storage locker for those rare instances when an unplanned visit to a dock happens. Meanwhile, my normal fenders are at the slip awaiting reattaching to my lifelines. I may do that ! Then I pick up style points as well. A win-win situation.

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