Boat fenders - inflatable or non-inflatable

[AngusMcDoon]

Actually I bought them from the local chandler (but they were probably made in China)

Then take them back, they are still useless krap and not fit for purpose. There's nothing wrong with inflatable fenders in general, just the ones you have. If you can get Majoni fenders in Oz they always seem reliable. Dutch company but I don't know where they are manufactured. They smell nice when new.

 

[ean_p]

NO! NO! NO! I haven't been buying eBay Krap!

Actually I bought them from the local chandler (but they were probably made in China)
I think you better settle down and relax!

The valves in them are just cheap ball valves as in a kids football.....stick a bit of washing up liquid in the valve inlet and have another go at inflating them........ if they fail again so quickly take them back! Cushions are OK but don't have the depth ( distance between you and the wall) that fenders do so if its rocking and rolling your in the mire......

 

[coopec]

Then take them back, they are still useless krap and not fit for purpose. There's nothing wrong with inflatable fenders in general, just the ones you have. If you can get Majoni fenders in Oz they always seem reliable. Dutch company but I don't know where they are manufactured. They smell nice when new.

Thank you for your advice. (I'm sure their smell is important......)

 

[coopec]

The valves in them are just cheap ball valves as in a kids football.....stick a bit of washing up liquid in the valve inlet and have another go at inflating them........ if they fail again so quickly take them back! Cushions are OK but don't have the depth ( distance between you and the wall) that fenders do so if its rocking and rolling your in the mire......

Absolutely!
I'm told the valves can be replaced so I'll buy some more on eBay.

I wondered about the depth of cushions. Thanks for that.

 

[dunedin]

I did a bit odf googling and apparently deflation of fenders is a common problem. I'd be worried that the yacht would be damaged as a result of a deflation so I'll probably switch to fender cushions .

Google + a little bit of knowledge = very dangerous thing.

Perhaps instead try googling photographs of yachts in marinas. The are millions, perhaps billions, of air filled fenders protecting almost every boat moored in every marina. They are by far the best solution.
As noted, we have one fender which has lost perhaps 25% of width after 10 years (the rest are fine). But that fender has protected the boat well through many severe storms where the pressure on the fender was enormous.

You will probably see a few boats, often small race boats and multihulls, using foam pads instead - presumably for storage reasons.
But they are not as effective as air filled fenders if you have the space.

Go more sailing and less Googling (it’s a bike people who Google their symptoms and decide the have every illness in the world)

 

[coopec]

Google + a little bit of knowledge = very dangerous thing.

Go more sailing and less Googling (it’s a bike people who Google their symptoms and decide the have every illness in the world)

"Google + a little bit of knowledge = very dangerous thing."

Uhmm... that's why I started the thread!

Go more sailing and less Googling (it’s a bike people who Google their symptoms and decide the have every illness in the world)
How can I go sailing when my yacht is not in the water!

AND for your information I ride my bicycle 3km every day! (Don't be so bloody patronizing!)

 

[Refueler]

"Google + a little bit of knowledge = very dangerous thing."

Uhmm... that's why I started the thread!

Go more sailing and less Googling (it’s a bike people who Google their symptoms and decide the have every illness in the world)
How can I go sailing when my yacht is not in the water!

AND for your information I ride my bicycle 3km every day! (Don't be so bloody paternalistic!)

Welcome to YBW Forums !!

You start to develop a thick skin after a while ... they don't change ..

 

[srm]

I am still using two inflatable fenders that came with a boat I bought in 1981, they are a bit heavier than current versions the same size. Sadly, last year, I had to bin the last of my two 1974 vintage large round fenders, it was getting sticky from UV degredation and had started to deflate a bit.

 

[ashtead]

I have always found fenders bought from the fender man/wife at SBS reliable made in us by poly form have lasted well with no leaking really. Normal issue is fenders becoming sticky but I guess that depends on location/usage. Inflatable fender steps seem designed to fail after a few years so almost a disposable item. As we don’t carry a compressor on board never really thought of having blow up and then deflate one’s but good on your larger yacht/long passage vessels say of 20m plus perhaps.