docking fenders instead of fenders

clyst

clyst

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You know the type I mean , the ones that screw over the pontoon. Anyone use solely these instead of shipbourn fenders when coming in alongside? can you use them instead of fenders when berthed ? Seems a lot less hassle than digging out fenders ,deploying then stowing away when going to sea especially if used inconjunction with a "fender blanket ". I'v never seen them used in this way . Am I missing something obvious??
 
I've thought about this too. Ignoring the fuss with ordinary fenders, the advantages seem to me to be that the dock fender remains in the perfect place - it can't pop out of the gap. Mind you, once moored I might be inclined to hang a couple of extras just for belt and braces! I must have a gander around at the pontoons that have them fitted and see what others do (presumably successfully).

Rob.
 
The fixed dock fenders tend to be rather rigid, whereas ordinary fenders are a bit squashy and have some "give" in them.
 
The Plastimo ones come in two versions, one hollow and therefore squidgy like an ordinary fender and the others filled with closed cell foam so more rigid. Many of the mid-river pontoons have a string of ordinary fenders strapped along them.

Rob.
 
I use traditional large sausage fenders, slung horizontally using shackles to each end and then back to the pontoon framework as well as ball fenders mounted to the dock. In our marina we are not allowed to attach anything to the pontoon woodwork but are permitted to attach to the steelwork beneath.

We also moor stern-to and use additional lines on the off side, a long line fron the boat's centre cleat to the dock and another stern line to dock on the offside. This means that the boat never goes near the fenders once it is moored, as the lines hold the boat off, floating away from the dock and the fenders are there ' just in case'.

I tried fender socks and fender blankets but they still scuffed my nice blue hull, so this has proved are really satisfactory way, the dock mounted fenders do their work when we are coming in or leaving and then are just there, permanently off the boat, ready to fend off if needed.

At a previous harbour we used those white screw on fenders but I was not very happy with them alone - seemed a bit hard and rigid and did mark the gell coat.
 
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Best setup I've seen recently was in Viviero. A bit OTT for me as I don't have a home berth. Nicely made though, side fenders were normal small ball type held in a 90 holder. They pushed into a ring on side and were held by a pin through the fender eye. Fenders at stern were upright with pin through the centre and could roll.

Can't imagine that these would scratch as fenders were made from usual soft "fender" plastic. You'd still need a set of fenders on board unless you never go anywhere.
 
?Both

I found the corner fender a real benefit to soften the occasional knock on the very sharp pontoons we have. I would also have one mounted dead centre where the bow might hit the pontoon cross walk. Apart from that you need a set of fenders anyway for when you are away from home so I don't see the point of going OTT on the dock version
 
I originally planned to use only pontoon fenders as you describe - when most of your sailing is short trips from and to the home berth, it saves a lot of faff. Then I read about the rolling vs paint-scraping action as described by lw395, and between us my dad and I decided to stick with normal fenders.

Had it been just me I might have been tempted to try it for a bit and see if there was a real problem.

Pete
 
I've often been tempted by lines on the dock and fenders in my home berth. I've been mostly put off as I want to keep up practicing docking in my home berth, so I'm as good as possible when docking elsewhere where I won't have any of those advantages.

Also I'm going to need all the fenders and warps on board anyway so don't save anything.

I tell myself that sooner or later the decades of docking experience will mean I should not need to practice any more but docking perhaps a dozen times a year isn't like years of driving and parking a car every day.
 
If you don't have fenders deployed on the boat and have to make a last minute change of berthing plans i.e. unable to get into own berth then you can be left in a tight situation with no fenders deployed - not good.
 
In the med one always leaves the docklines on the pontoon when you leave a paid up berth for a few days. Kinda like the way Germans leave their towels on the lounger when they go for lunch.
 
It kinda brings back the memory of bracing yourself to tell the interloper to get his lift-keeler off your deep water mooring now you're home for the night ;-)

The advantage I see with dock fenders is that you can berth either side to before deploying conventional fenders. On your home berth, I'd hope you'd already have custom, oversize mooring lines shackled onto the pontoon waiting for you. Do others see any advantage in putting the name of your boat on your mooring?

Rob.
 
Southampton? Up 'ere? When I had a swinging mooring in Southapton most visitors came in a motor boat armed with bolt croppers! Luckily at that time we had an old Albin engine - that scared them off once they'd removed the cover!

Rob.
 
In another life when I could afford a marina berth used docking fenders only and found it brilliant, anything to make going for a quick evening more possible.The marina my boat was in was quite protected so found no problems with rubbing etc. I still use docking fenders on the cradle I am in but have them covered in carpet and it works really well.

Obviously you are not prepared for other eventualities and I always felt vulnerable coming in with no fenders or warps, but you can always put these out if it is blowing a bit.

Personally I would say go for it if you can stomach the cost and the marina will allow it.

Happy sailing.
 
We use both simultaneously - "to be sure to be sure" :)

Seriously, to get into our berth, we have to go through the lock and that involves hanging fenders - hence we do not bother removing them, but in practice it is the dock fenders that do most of the work - the hanging fenders end up catching on them and riding up anyway.
 
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