piling guards

[steven]

At my berth, I have to get my 10' beam between two pilings that are 11.5 feet apart. Piece of cake on a flat day with no current. A bit tougher if sailing solo and gusty cross wind with opposing current at night.

So, I would like to put a good fender system somewhat permanently on the pilings. The pilings are 10" diameter.

I thought it would be easy to find a product that would do this. Vinyl plastic dock wheels or similar. But looking in the usual places I'm not seeing anything that is out of the box for use on pilings . Of course it is always possible to adapt something or other (motorcycle tires ? ).

Anyone come upon something that does or might work ?

thanks

--Steve

 

[Kenneth K]

I see you're in Annapolis, so I'm assuming you have changing tide levels to contend with. Here in the Puget Sound, the tide range is about 16 feet. Maybe a length of something like this, mounted vertically to the pilings?

DOCK BUMPER

Available in multiple bumper profiles up to 50' in length to fit your exact needs. Male/Female connection ends available with volume orders. Will not deteriorate in the sun or mar your boat. Polyester textile and closed-cell foam inner cushion, NOT vinyl, PVC or rubber. Cleans easily with liquid...

shop.hamiltonmarine.com

Of course, it's going to fill up with water every time the tide submerges it, so maybe add some drain holes to the bottom.

 

[eknebel]

My slip is similar, and find a nice plush pile carpet about 3 feet high provides sufficient slippage to pivot without marking the rub rail. It doesn't get much growth, as it mostly stays out of the water. so far, this is the seventh season for these,