Any Views On Fender Makes ?

[GAJ52]

I have recently bought a boat and the Fenders are a bit tatty to say the least, so I would like to replace them ( x 10). As I am very new to boating can anyone suggest a good make of Fender, also which ones to stay away from.

Thank, Glen

 

[markhomer]

they say mexican are not as good as homegrown though still a good buy







sorry

 

[GAJ52]

Are we talking guitars or inflatable things ???

 

[Stork_III]

Polyform F series, or polyform F series, from Compass http://www.compassmarine.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?ActionID=67174912&PBCATID=1361642&PBCATName=Polyform F Series

 

[capetown]

+1
We think they are more robust than Anchor.

If Compass are at the SIBS, they often have show offers.

Polyform F series, or polyform F series, from Compass http://www.compassmarine.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?ActionID=67174912&PBCATID=1361642&PBCATName=Polyform F Series

 

[Ripster]

Polyform F series, or polyform F series, from Compass http://www.compassmarine.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?ActionID=67174912&PBCATID=1361642&PBCATName=Polyform F Series

+2 polyform seem fairly good and robust and they look nice too

 

[michael_w]

Another vote for Taylor's polyform. Blue ones don't get as grubby as white ones.

 

[MoodySabre]

Avoid Plastimo as they need a special adapter to pump them up and it costs as much as a fender.

 

[Georgio]

I vote with Polyform G and HTM series fenders, also bought from compass marine.

 

[GAJ52]

Many thanks for your comments, just the sort of info I needed.

Must admit I did cough a bit when I saw the price, my boat is 39 feet and I need 10 of them.

Thanks again, Glen

 

[Plevier]

I've no complaint with Majoni fenders, good prices here
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/UK-YACHT-R...b=6507500&_sid=76102910&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

No inflation adapter needed, just press airline over the hole.

 

[[3889]]

I've no complaint with Majoni fenders, good prices here
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/UK-YACHT-R...b=6507500&_sid=76102910&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

No inflation adapter needed, just press airline over the hole.

+1 for Majoni

 

[vyv_cox]

Make or buy some fender socks. They will cover even the tattiest fenders, are far better for the boat than naked ones and will cost a lot less than new fenders.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

Many thanks for your comments, just the sort of info I needed.

Must admit I did cough a bit when I saw the price, my boat is 39 feet and I need 10 of them.

Thanks again, Glen

That seems like a lot of fenders. We are 38' and we carry 5 fenders permanently inflated and a couple of deflatable fenders for those special days. Are you sure you need 10?

 

[SimonD]

I have recently bought a boat and the Fenders are a bit tatty to say the least, so I would like to replace them ( x 10). As I am very new to boating can anyone suggest a good make of Fender, also which ones to stay away from.

I think the key points here are you've recently bought a boat and you're new to boating. Without wishing to appear condescending, my advice would be to not buy anything unless you're sure you need it. Boats have a nasty habit of swallowing huge amounts of cash if you let them. Live with the boat for a while and start to draw up a list of what really needs replacing or updating and then prioritise it. If you're then faced with a long expensive list, the fenders might seem less of an issue!

 

[bitbaltic]

We've got majoni and to be quite honest I don't like them. The valve is quite unreliable- two of ours (18 months old and not hard lives) have bust valves and can't be properly inflated. The rest don't inflate that easily really even with the majoni adapter.

Agree that the OP is overestimating his fendering needs to protect his new pride and joy, we did exactly the same as we thought, better safe than sorry! These days we only ever rig 3 each side and have a big 'un ready to rove on a 30 footer. Increased boat length doesn't necessarily mean more fenders, but maybe bigger ones in the right places.

 

[[3889]]

I suppose how many fenders you need depends on duration. Coming alongside for 30 minutes then 3 to keep the topsides of the pontoon is fine. Leaving the boat for a month, though, I'd be inclined to use 6 minimum, both for redundancy and to spread loads. A few on the outside are also a good idea, especially with a neighbour like mine.
Not a problem on a swinging mooring though.

 

[GAJ52]

Once again your comments are really appreciated, thank you.

Regarding fender socks, the lady at my local Chandlery made a very good point, as I am based on the Thames and go through many locks, the lock walls are very 'dirty' and the socks build up grit which will scratch the GRP. As my current fenders have socks I can vouch for the fact they are very muddy after a trip and can see the possibility this could damage the GRP, so socks are definitely out - at least on my boat.

Maybe 5 fenders each side is an overkill, I am just replacing what was already on the boat when I bought it, but I won't be fitting less than 4 each side.

I think the current fenders are labelled 'Anchor' and 5 of the 10 are very low pressure, almost flat. As I don't know when these were last serviced its hard to say if they are faulty or not touched for many years, but with my Halfords foot pump I don't have an adaptor that will fit the valves.

To enhance the look of the boat I am willing to replace the very worn looking fenders but am not prepared to pay silly money just because its for a boat.

Glen

 

[john_morris_uk]

We take our fender socks of when we transit the locks in the Crinan canal. If we had a marina berth I wouldn't use fender socks either (or when on harbour walls as they pick up grit and grind the top sides...). For occasional use they are fine and look smart.

 

[PlankWalker]

Anchor fenders are good,

I would recommend getting a bottle of UPVC cleaner as used to clean UPVC windows, an adapter to pump up Anchor fenders , spend 5 minutes on each fender and in 50 minutes and for £5 jobs done.

Plank