Fender Tender vs. Fixed Bumpers

[Christian Williams]

...

Why would anybody need a $6 plastic gizmo to attach a fender to a boat?

I will say why: Because one of the jobs of guests is removing and later reattaching the fenders in the slip. It's a simple thing, but with a couple of challenges. One is the knot or the cleat. The other is the height above water, which in my case is pretty precisely 6"--if more, the fender pops out when squeezed by the finger pier, if less, it sits wet and grows barnacles.

When assigned the fender task, guests, family, kids, leave a variety of homespun knots, some quite creative; and they are extremely cavalier in matters of height, if aware of fender height at all. A lengthy briefing on the topic-- "Nice to meet you for the first time, Maximillian, now when you place the fender, as you have agreed to, observe the distance above water, making sure it is precisely the height I have mentioned --measure with your eye, Max, make it 6 inches, not 8 or 10 or 16 or 2, otherwise I'll have to go back after you have gallantly departed and redo your work, and although you'll never know it, confide to myself that, 'Jeez Louise, I coulda done that faster myself" But no, no, that sort of lecture won't do. Eyebrows would rise. Control freak.

So, enter the Fender Tender, at $12 for two. The length of the fender line is pre-set. It clips to the lifeline, guaranteeing the height above water, and there is no need for a knot of any kind, or a creative cleating technique. Just clip the plastic on! Anybody can do it!

Yes, they look sort of stupid and unnecessary, but given all the above, maybe not.

 

[Tin Kicker]

Nice idea.
Think I'll make some out of some spare black plastic (UV stable) pipe.
Thanks!

 

[G Kiba]

Have been using these for several years now. Best thing is you can stow your fenders in the lazzerette with a taught line secured across the length of the underside of the lid. With the lazzerette open, clip the fenders to the line and close the lazzerette! Keeps them handy not rolling around below and out of the way.

 

[bigd14]

I may have been misinformed, but many years ago I read or had someone tell me that I shouldn't hang fenders from the lifelines. I don't recall what the reasoning was, but it stuck with me. Ever since then I have temporarily hung the fenders from the lifelines when arriving back at dock because its easy to get them into position that way, but then re-tied them to stanchions or the toe rail cleat or the rail itself where it crosses the scupper opening when leaving the boat. I side tie the boat and the bumpers are nearly constantly under pressure. But why not use the lifelines? Any drawbacks? It would be so much easier.

Grant's idea is a great one too. I once found a fender line draped across the front of the PSS shaft seal. A few inches further forward and it could have been caught up in the coupler and turned into a bad situation. I now tie them all off in the lazarette.

 

[Christian Williams]

I leave the fenders on the dock, they never get stowed on board. Function of there being no place to go around here where you might need fenders.

Even so, 10 percent of all sailboats on Sunday afternoon in Marina del Rey are sailing with fenders dangling, sometimes three or four on each side, while the oblivious skipper stands proudly behind the wheel of his Beneteau. I will never get used to seeing it. And how gaily and proudly they wave greetings to all!

 

[Frank Langer]

I may have been misinformed, but many years ago I read or had someone tell me that I shouldn't hang fenders from the lifelines. I don't recall what the reasoning was, but it stuck with me. Ever since then I have temporarily hung the fenders from the lifelines when arriving back at dock because its easy to get them into position that way, but then re-tied them to stanchions or the toe rail cleat or the rail itself where it crosses the scupper opening when leaving the boat. I side tie the boat and the bumpers are nearly constantly under pressure. But why not use the lifelines? Any drawbacks? It would be so much easier.

Grant's idea is a great one too. I once found a fender line draped across the front of the PSS shaft seal. A few inches further forward and it could have been caught up in the coupler and turned into a bad situation. I now tie them all off in the lazarette.

Doug,
I have also heard this, and think it's out of concern that the fenders hanging from the lifelines could put lots of stress on them, and therefore on the stanchions, potentially increasing the likelihood of leaks there. It's not only the weight of the fenders, but also if they get stuck between the boat and the dock in a wind, and waves bounce the boat, it could put quite a strain on the fenders/lifelines.
Frank

 

[Loren Beach]

It's not only the weight of the fenders, but also if they get stuck between the boat and the dock in a wind, and waves bounce the boat, it could put quite a strain on the fenders/lifelines.

Our rigger has also said that. And I have watched boats roll when pushed hard against a dock and thus trap a fender and put a lot of strain on the fender line.
Several years ago, after having to put a fender back into place after it had been rolled or pushed up and onto the finger dock, I added permanent "dock bumpers". We love 'em.
https://www.wholesalemarine.com/hul...MI6_X63JPw_QIVMQGtBh2KjgRBEAQYECABEgI9yPD_BwE

For all other times we have ss snaps on each fender line that are sized to align well for most dock edges, and there are several extra feet of line for tying them higher or lower. We clip 'em to the bases of stanchions. There are extra fenders onboard with longer lines and they go where needed.

If you gotta use a lifeline, do use the center one so there's a bit less strain on the post.

Oh well.... the Cessna aircraft guys n gals always have to tie them down to big rings on the tarmac. It's always something! (per Rosanna Rosanna Danna)

 

[Alan Gomes]

I leave the fenders on the dock, they never get stowed on board. Function of there being no place to go around here where you might need fenders.

Even so, 10 percent of all sailboats on Sunday afternoon in Marina del Rey are sailing with fenders dangling, sometimes three or four on each side, while the oblivious skipper stands proudly behind the wheel of his Beneteau. I will never get used to seeing it. And how gaily and proudly they wave greetings to all!

Back in the 70's, for reasons I do not exactly recall, we used to call those dangling fenders "Marina Del Rey racing stripes." Maybe it was a Marina Del Rey thing even then? (Not that one never sees it here.) I dunno. Regardless, to us it seemed akin to walking around with your fly unzipped.

 

[Alan Gomes]

For all other times we have ss snaps on each fender line that are sized to align well for most dock edges, and there are several extra feet of line for tying them higher or lower. We clip 'em to the bases of stanchions. There are extra fenders onboard with longer lines and they go where needed.

I just use something like this snaphook, easily sourced from Home Depot. But I never have to adjust them, once I get the proper length dialed in. To deploy, I simply loop the line once around the stanchion base (not the lifeline itself) and attach the snaphook to the standing part of the line.

 

[bigd14]

Alan and Loren I like snaphook ideas.

Around here it's the overloaded powerboat and party pontoon boat rentals that zoom by too close with the fenders left on and swinging and bouncing wildly all over the place. This would be entertaining except that it is usually an indicator of a clueless and/or drunk captain who is unlikely to understand or care about nautical right of way. Best to take early avoidance measures.

 

[G Kiba]

I am thinking there is some truth about load on the stanchions as i am planning on re-bedding 4 of them as my next boat chore. Hmm...

 

[Loren Beach]

O34 - Permanent Dockside Fenders

Here are some recent pix of the "HullHugR" dock cushioning pieces. I also have some sacrificial toweling over them. New LPU paint is expensive, so we are guarding against scratches as best as reasonably possible. The usual tubular fenders are...

ericsonyachts.org

Additional note: many years ago I reinforced all.... of our stanchion bases and pulpit bases from underneath with wide G10 pieces set in thickened epoxy. At that time I had SS braces fabricated for all of the mid ship stanchions. No bending since and no leaks.

 

[Christian Williams]

There's another benefit to fixed fenders. If you have to sail into a slip in cramped quarters, which requires keeping steerageway up, they provide a target to ram with a broad area of hull.

Even a big boat can bump a finger pier at one or two knots with no damage of any kind. Hull contact is made intentionally forward of midships, against the fixed fender. The boat stops immediately and the stem is protected from striking. Sailing into a slip with momentum is good practice, since a misjudgment that leaves the boat stalled before entry, with sails up in a crowded slipway, results in a situation to be avoided.

 

[Christian Williams]

My fenders are old, and their high-class "Thelonious" covers are about worn out. Also, the fixed fenders seen in the previous post are dirty and more than 10 years old.

I listened to myself say that I don't carry fenders when sailing, and asked myself-- then why do I need them at all, given the bother?

So I ordered what Loren has. I'll keep the hanging fenders in the dock box.

 

[bsangs]

My fenders are old, and their high-class "Thelonious" covers are about worn out. Also, the fixed fenders seen in the previous post are dirty and more than 10 years old.

I listened to myself say that I don't carry fenders when sailing, and asked myself-- then why do I need them at all, given the bother?

So I ordered what Loren has. I'll keep the hanging fenders in the dock box.

View attachment 46392

Just an FYI, the 60" versions are available directly from Yamaha for $74.99 each. The site that was linked wants $106.99 for the 60" ones.

 

[Rosco]

I am in the camp of those who dislike fenders, the look, the hassle and the use of space. I have a 60" fixed amidships and am a starboard tie. Fortunately, I have a cleat to port along the walkway which allows the boat to sit free of the fixed fender. I like the look when I approach her. In Vancouver we have many powerboaters who allow their full ensemble of various sized fenders dangle in the breeze. I see them from my home and even bought high powered binoculars to enhance my frustration. I decided a while ago to only look at interesting ships and yachts which had the effect of lowering my blood pressure and I keep a copy of Marcus Aurelius' meditations on the coffee table to remind myself that it's my issue now.

 

[G Kiba]

Memento Mori to that!

 

[Christian Williams]

Bsangs locates the bargain.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

yamaha

yamaha-motor.com

Reminds me to shop around more aggressively. And faster-- the 48" version is sold out.

 

[Rosco]

Memento Mori to that!

Amor Fati brother

 

[Tin Kicker]

Love my marina but am not allowed to attach anything to the docks and I do keep fenders aboard because of the inadequate ones at local docks for restaurants and fuel.

Before I bought the Ericson, loose lines and piling rub in a brief thunderstorm did this much rub rail damage to both sides of the boat. I've always been apprehensive of the damage a piling can do since dealing with this.

For the ODay I made some rigid rub rails which are 7.5 ft long each by gluing Azek (plastic) furring strips inside of 1.5" fire hose and they fold in half to stow. I made one to go near each piling. When stowed and because they hinge at the middle, they are each a bit under 4 ft long and maybe 4-5" thick so the three take minimal room in a locker.

The have been GREAT for fuel docks. Plus, my slip is very tight/narrow so when single handing with any wind and instead of trying to back the delicate fiberglass stern past the wood poles, these allow me to pull up abeam to the piling, throw a line over it, and pivot the boat back into the slip without riding on the actual rub rails.

As shown below, each attaches by sliding in/out three pieces of plastic through the toe rail holes.

I know Ericsons don't have a this type of toe rail, but it'd be easy to instead use a loop & monkey-fist hanging from the stanchion bases for quick attachment.