Before purchasing, you'll also need to decide things like what style and color you want, as well as if you'll be hanging the fenders vertically or horizontally.įlat, round, cylindrical, transom-mounted fenders, and more. Large diameter fenders provide the best protection, as it's the fender width that separates the boat from the dock. A boat tied to an unprotected dock end with a tidal surge or choppy water needs more protection than one docked in a serene lake. These recommendation are not exact-they can't be, because fender size also depends on boat weight, conditions, and where you'll attach them. And the worst of the worst for dings and scratches-the dock corner-must be decked out in a dock wheel or at least a quality dock corner.įor cylindrical fenders, figure on roughly 1" of diameter for every four-to-five feet of boat length and 2" of diameter if you're going for spherical fenders. You can also vertically mount dock bumpers on the pilings, or simply use a use a post bumper. Make sure all the most likely points of impact are well covered with dock edging. To avoid being that boater with black streaks on their hull, get white dock cushions or bumpers. If you have a slip and don't want fenders perpetually hanging from your boat, using these alternatives is a good way to go. Instead of fenders, many boaters who have a slip of their own choose a more customized approach by using dock cushions, dock guards, and dock wheels placed at the corners. Happily, there are special fenders available for docking next to pilings and even for rafting. As for pilings, many folks would rather not dock next to one, as the pilings push the fenders aside, leaving little to no protection. Most boaters cushion their boats by setting their fenders just above the waterline when tying up to floating docks.īut when rafting together, fenders need to be placed at the widest point of where they are contacting the other boat. Most fenders are made from tough vinyls that can really take a beating, but some are made of fabric or PVC-covered foam. Fender materials resist the sun's ultraviolet rays, the effects of the saline environment, and many of the pollutants commonly found in and around harbors and marinas. Fenders that fit everything from personal watercraft to ocean-going yachts or ships are readily available.īoat fenders work by absorbing the shock of vessels bumping into docks, pilings, and other vessels, thus protecting the boat from damage. They are used to protect the hull of the vessel from damage. We'll try to demystify this process for you.īoat fenders, often referred to as boat bumpers, bumpers, or simply fenders, all have the same thing in common. With their wide array of styles, sizes, shapes, colors, and materials, choosing the right boat fenders could get a bit confusing. Everything You Need to Know About Boat Fenders
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