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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Fenders

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/02/2010 : 19:59:15

When I was down at the boat the other day I noticed the fenders seem to be leaving a discolored area on the hull where they are hanging. It's almost unnoticeable but there anyway.

What type, size, etc... fenders do you use? Do you have covers on them?

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 07:26:41

Our fenders wear away the wax on the hull. It is a source of aggravation to me, but I fear that the more abrasive fabtic of sunbrella would be worse. No covers here.

Its part of my spring routine to look at those spots and think about fixing them, then forget about it until launch day and realize its too late.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 07:30:23

I don't leave fenders attached to the boat. I am able to center my boat in my dock with the dock lines. In the one or two potential locations where the hull might contact the dock during extreemly high winds I have attached the fenedrs to the dock or piling not to the boat. I suppose I'm lucky that I have adock that has 4 points to tie to and is wide enought (Just) to allow me to do this.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 07:53:07

Yeah, I'm kind a jealous of those that have four corners to tie to. I've only got three. I had the choice of staying on a fixed dock with four corners or going to a floating dock with three.

Most of the year the wind is out of the South and tends to push the boat away from the dock but in winter when the winds are out of the North it rides against the dock most of the time.

Maybe I could just set an anchor of the rear starboard corner to hold the boat off the dock? Wonder how the marina owners would feel about that? It doesn't appear to me that the guy in the slip next to me has ever been out.

Edited by - GaryB on 10/03/2010 08:06:22

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 07:53:46

I only have 2 tie points and use a double spring line but keep my bumpers on the dock too Renzo. I think because there's not constant contact between fender and hull you don't get the growth and or skid marks. And of course it's one more way of keeping it simple on board.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 08:07:47

DO you guys use the nomal round fendoers or the rectangular pads? How do you attach them to the dock?

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 08:19:43

I have fenders that I bought at Walmart for aroound $10 each. For the last 4 years, they have served me as well as my neighbor's TaylorMade. I have them attached to the pilings on my floating dock with bungee cords.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 08:26:16

I use a round semi-large in the middle, sideways (horizontal), with a line attached to each end where the lines go between the dock slats and back and around a piling. On either end I use a small round hanging vertically with the line tied to the dock. Our tides are minimal in comparison here and I can just position the bumpers middle tide and they do fine. I have to adjust/add more for extreme weather. If you click on my pic you can see the odd dock arrangement I have. The boat really only uses the center (larger) bumper. The two spring lines keep the boat situated correctly.

Edited by - DaveR on 10/03/2010 08:29:37

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 08:28:54

If you're using standard cylindrical fenders, you might want to consider the ball-type ones. That way, the motion of the boat both back/forth and up/down would roll the fender on the hull rather than rubbing it.

(Edit: Looked at pic and deleted suggestion about angle.)

...and I assume you were kidding about the anchor--the scope necessary to hold the boat would likely be a problem for your neighbors. Some guy with twin screws drives by, wraps your rode around one prop, and the other prop drags you off the dock while causing him to swerve and crash into a couple of boats further down...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/03/2010 08:36:45

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 08:39:46

I use fenders since I attach at three points on a floating dock. I'm lucky most of the time because the prevailing winds keep me off the dock.

I used polyglow on Passage this spring, nonetheless the fenders do mar the surface shine. At the end of the season, I plan to touch up the areas with poly-prep (polyglow remover), clean and remove the marks, and then reapply polyglow. Should be good as new.

I saw a better solution to docklines and fenders however. I recently visited New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee, where most people have fixed docks. Most people also used fiberglass mooring whips to tie up their boats, which look like fishing poles affixed at a 45 degree angle up and out from the side of their docks.

The mooring whips are stiff, but springy material that are bolted into the dock from a solid base. Like a fishing pole, it's thick toward the base and tapers to a thinner diameter toward the end. You attach a stout line to the end of the mooring whip which is used to secure your boat.

When you bring your boat up next to the dock, you can tie the forward whip line to a cleat on the bow, and the rear line to the stern. Because the whips hang out away from the dock and the lines hang straight up and down, they keep the boat away from the dock, yet tightly secured. Even in winds and waves, the mooring whips keep the boat off the dock. You don't need fenders on the boat because it doesn't touch the dock. But, just in case, you might want some fenders to be mounted horizontally along the dock.

Many of these whips were small - maybe 7-8 feet long. These were effective for boats in the 18-20 foot range. Some folks had thicker, beefier and longer davits - 10 feet long and about 2" diameter at the base. These held 20-30 foot boats.

I would not want to trust them in a big blow, so if I had them I'd add docklines and double up on the whip lines, but I don't have experience with that. This is the first time I'd used mooring whips. Perhaps others who use them have different stories to tell.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 08:49:56

Do the whips go vertical when the lines are released, so a sailboat can move by without catching a shroud on them? I've seen them with boats attached, but not without.

BTW, that shallow corner in the picture is kinda scary!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/03/2010 08:52:00

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 17:44:16

According to this site their "Ultimate" whips are adjustable for use with sailboats.

http://www.mooringproducts.com/mooringwhips.htm

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 18:32:29

Every Spring WM runs a sale; 4 - 8 x 22.5 white fenders for about $80...something like 50% off...they have filler valves and a hanging tab...we use two, w/ premeasured lines and a snap hook at the end while at home port, and the other two have longer leads and are used at transient docks as necessary. In our case, the two regular fenders wear away the oxidation, leaving shiny areas behind them

...we've had them 5 years are are still in great shape...

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 19:16:53

Jerry, WM, has a 4 pack on sale on. Its the 6.5 x 23 for $71. Check out [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=89597&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10105&subdeptNum=10432&classNum=10433"]here.[/url]
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 10/04/2010 14:32:28

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2010 : 20:35:25

But not the kind I suggested to Gary... I haven't used them, but I suspect the "ball" fenders are best for being in contact between a dock and a boat on a continual basis. (Never been in that situation.)

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2010 : 12:36:37

We use three of the round "ball" fenders. We have them tied to the dock full time. No need to deploy fenders to go sailing. We do everything we can to make it easy to go sailing and getting rid of the fender routine was helpful. Our round fenders do not mar the hull at all - probably, as Dave noted, because they roll on the boat surface.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 10/04/2010 12:40:39

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2010 : 14:39:54

Steve (and all) - my mistake...those are the units I referenced...

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2010 : 17:19:42

I like the idea of ball fenders. Are they more expensive?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2010 : 17:37:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I like the idea of ball fenders. Are they more expensive?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...than what? You can look it up.

(Hint: Yes.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/04/2010 17:44:43

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2010 : 03:11:35

Just in case you have a leaky Taylor-Made fender, West marine takes them back and gives you a new one. At least that was my experience a few years ago. I happen to be looking for a new fender to replace one from the PO that seem to always lose pressure after a week or two. The WM salesman indicated that if it is leaking, the Taylor fenders are warranted for life and WM will take it back. So, I brought it in the next week and I picked up a replacement for free ! I suspect this policy still exists and at all WMs but rcmd ask to confirm.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2010 : 13:00:52

Dave I might wait for a sale at Defender or W-M to pick up the round ball fenders for next year. What's the best size for our boats? 18" or 24"?

Meanwhile, I wonder whether some silicone spray or wax might make the cylindrical ones a bit more forgiving?

Larry, I've seen folks return Taylor-Made fenders to my local W-M store in the past.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2010 : 15:15:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 Dave I might wait for a sale at Defender or W-M to pick up the round ball fenders for next year. What's the best size for our boats? 18" or 24"?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">One could say bigger is better, but 2' is pretty big! How far do you want the boat to stand off from the dock? Where will you keep them when under way (or will you leave them attached to the dock)? If on-board, what will fit reasonably, including through a hatch? I suspect you'll know the right size when you see it.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/05/2010 15:17:30

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2010 : 20:32:59

Our three ball fenders are 12" diameter. If I replaced them I would go 15". 18" or 24" is a huge round fender and not needed for our size boats.

We use Starbrite Hull Polish and never have had an issue with marring from the fenders. Here is a photo of the setup.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 10/05/2010 20:39:30

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2010 : 21:03:00

The 15" ball fenders are $49.99 at West Marine and $39.95 at Bass Pro Shops.

Edited by - GaryB on 10/05/2010 21:03:34

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 14:02:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 DO you guys use the nomal round fendoers or the rectangular pads? How do you attach them to the dock?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Do not use rectangular fenders attached to the dock. I got into a slip this summer that had these kinds of fenders left by a former tenant. It was like being up against sand paper. The fenders left huge white marks all over my topsides. (who knows, maybe the former slip tenant sank from fender abrasion

)
I think what needs to happen to minimize fender abrasion is to have fenders that roll with the movement of the hull. So perhaps having fenders oriented in a horizontal position will abrade the hull less than having them in a vertical position.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 14:10:47

I will ask Santa for two 18"s and a 15". I'll put the 15 in the middle.

hijack deleted

Edited by - Voyager on 10/06/2010 14:11:38

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