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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Re-inflating fenders

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/07/2006 : 12:05:53

We've got a couple of nice fenders that don't have inflation valves. The PO kept the boat on a lake at 6000', so when the fenders descended to nearly sea level with the rest of the boat, they deflated quite a bit. I've tried warming them in the sun and with hot water, both of which work to some extent, but the effect doesn't last. Short of a hyperbaric chamber does anyone have any ideas on how to re-inflate these fenders?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2006 : 20:42:18

Here's a long shot... Put 'em in a refrigerator, or better a freezer, and leave them over the off-season. To whatever extent they were gas-permeable enough to lose their pressure at altitude, perhaps the cold will create somewhat of a vacuum that will cause some of the air to return. If the theory holds, after a few months, you can take them out, warm them up, and voila!

(Are you sure they don't have needle valves somewhere?)

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 12:49:50

Dave that sounds like a good idea, but you forgot the disclaimer - do not attempt this at home as it may lead to negative consequences. If you can find a freezer that has enough spare room to store a couple of fenders for the winterit may work, maybe some friend with a restaraunt walk in. Or you could ship them to a friend in the North like Wisconsin to store outside for a few months.

Dave why the "DPO" shouldn't it simply be "PO"?

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 15:36:18

Dave why the "DPO" shouldn't it simply be "PO"? - Todd

In Dave's case the "D" stands for distinguished

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 17:20:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 Dave why the "DPO" shouldn't it simply be "PO"? - Todd

In Dave's case the "D" stands for distinguished

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The Van Arsdales are the only ones who can judge that, but we haven't heard from them yet. (I know they're lurking...)

As for the freezer, putting them out in the snow and cold might be more practical, but I suspect they don't have snow in that part of Washington.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/08/2006 17:23:22

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2006 : 21:14:35

If we're lucky, we might get a few inches on the ground a few times during the winter, but we spent probably close to a month last winter with sub-freezing temperatures. Right about the same time our gas furnace exploded... That made for an interesting couple of weeks until we could get a new one installed. Fortunately my other hobby is woodworking, and I have lots and lots of wood out back that we fed into the woodstove.

In any case, I'll try to remember this year to put the fenders out on the porch during one of our cold snaps and see what happens. I was also thinking about a hypodermic needle to blow them up, and injecting some epoxy or something after the fact to seal the hole.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 07:06:04

I figured this cannot be a first..
So I googled:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Fix That Leaking Fender: Ever find that one of your boat fenders is out of air because it rubbed against a dock that had an exposed nail or other fender killer. Next time don't throw that deflated fender away. Try filling it with a can or two of expansion foam. You might find that you can get another year or two of life out of that old fender and not have to worry about another air leak.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

And a 'new' style of fender (kinda looks ugly) [url="http://www.superiormarinedivision.com/boat-fenders.php"]Eva Boat Fender[/url]

And an alternte idea: [url="http://www.boomkicker.com/Fdrindex.htm"]EASYSTOW FENDERS[/url]

Paul.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 09:37:29

David, What size are these fenders?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2006 : 10:23:27

ebay them as high altitude fenders, charge extra.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2006 : 15:05:46

Don,
Not sure of the size, maybe 5" diameter by 24"? I can measure them when I get home if it's important?

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2006 : 15:37:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Don,
Not sure of the size, maybe 5" diameter by 24"? I can measure them when I get home if it's important?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No, not important...I was just curious about their size.

Do you know what brand they are? Without an inflation valve, I would have to think they are some sort of off brand fender since most of the major names in fenders provide some means of reinflation.

Edited by - dlucier on 10/10/2006 15:40:08

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2006 : 19:21:08

Some brands, like Taylor Made, have lifetime guarantees. Worth checking up on the brand. Might also be worth buying new ones that are guaranteed. One of our association members (name rhymes with Justin) who bought a C-25 last winter, inherited two Taylor Made fenders - neither of which would hold air. He carried them into West Marine and they said, "Yup, lifetime warranty." He walked out with brand new ones.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2006 : 06:01:54

Dave,

I recently bought some fenders at our local Boat US (West Marine) Store. I got the fenders that you can slip a line thru them and hang them horizontally on the finger slip. But I still have my old ones that came with the boat and i use them when visiting other marinas, etc. Anyway, you are right about the lifetime warranty from Taylor. The guy at the Boat US Store told me if the fender bursts or leaks from the valve nozzle, then the arrangement is that the Boat US or West marine Store will take them back and replace it with same. I did just that about 2 weeks ago. I had one fender that had a leaky valve. i tried some grease on the basketball needle and worked into the valve but still the valve was leaky - barely. just a few bubbles. But over time, the fender would lose air.

I took the fender back to the store and they just gave me a new one off the shelf !

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2006 : 07:47:56

I also prefer Taylor Made fenders.

Edited by - on

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