Do I need a big ball fender? If not do you want it?

[PEJ]

I have got a big ball fender complete with fender sock, it came with the boat. It is about 2ft diameter.

I cannot think of any circumstances in which I would need a 2ft ball fender (it's a 51ft boat) and it is sitting unused on the bathing platform because the lazerette is already pretty full.

Am I missing something? Is a fender like this going to come in useful someday? I already use two smaller ball fenders (about 15 inches I think).

If not then I'll give it away to anyone who wants it. I am in Ocean Village.

 

[burgundyben]

I'd like it.

You might need it for springing off the bow?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I have got a big ball fender complete with fender sock, it came with the boat. It is about 2ft diameter.

I cannot think of any circumstances in which I would need a 2ft ball fender (it's a 51ft boat) and it is sitting unused on the bathing platform because the lazerette is already pretty full.

Am I missing something? Is a fender like this going to come in useful someday? I already use two smaller ball fenders (about 15 inches I think).

If not then I'll give it away to anyone who wants it. I am in Ocean Village.

Useful if you were ever in a tight alongside berth with obstructions fore and aft and needed to manoeuvre sternwards out, pivoting on the ball fender. Otherwise, if you've got a conventional UK pontoon berth, might it be handy tied to the stern end of the berth in case you ever over-cook it on your way in?

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[Powersalt]

Useful if you were ever in a tight alongside berth with obstructions fore and aft and needed to manoeuvre sternwards out, pivoting on the ball fender. Otherwise, if you've got a conventional UK pontoon berth, might it be handy tied to the stern end of the berth in case you ever over-cook it on your way in?

Cheers
Jimmy

plus one to that

 

[burgundyben]

Useful if you were ever in a tight alongside berth with obstructions fore and aft and needed to manoeuvre sternwards out, pivoting on the ball fender. Otherwise, if you've got a conventional UK pontoon berth, might it be handy tied to the stern end of the berth in case you ever over-cook it on your way in?

Cheers
Jimmy

Exactly, handy thing to have on board, esp a bigish boat.

 

[Kawasaki]

Yep, handy as a 'roving' fender too

 

[PEJ]

OK. Thanks. You have convinced me to keep it!

Better clear a space in the Lazerette!

 

[Bertramdriver]

Have six and can't live without them. The only way you can fend off suicidal yotties desperate to grab a mooring, charging in and grabbing any part of your mobo that looks solid. A balloon forces them to stand off and rolls down the side, keeping them at bay. I also have one on each corner of the transom to avoid clipping my neighbours who've cosyed up to us and move inwards as we vacate space.
I have to envy bigger mobo's. The yotties avoid them like the plague to the extent that the crews only hang a couple out for show.

 

[Ripster]

Think of it like a condom, better to have one and not need it than to need one... etc., etc...

 

[Hurricane]

Is this the offending item - the actual one?

Just been talking to SWMBO - we dont remember a sock though
We think we managed to get it into the forward locker when away from harbour but we may be confusing that with the current boat.
Either way - don't get rid of it - it can be really useful

I think Deleted User said he puts his in the dinghy - out of the way.

 

[rubberduck]

I saw one used very effectively in St Kats lock recently, keep it.

 

[scubaman]

We often moor stern-to and I always put the big ones on the corners of the transom to provide extra protection when backing in between boats. Ball fenders are very handy for this.

 

[AndieMac]

Yep, handy as a 'roving' fender too

Exactly K, with the help of a quick thinking crew, usually the only thing that is tough enough to take the impact between the boat and a jetty in a hard "blow on" berthing situation, on those days when you just can't seem to get it right.