Docksafe

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Adrianwool

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Hello all,
Considering fitting this to my marina berth, has anyone on this forum a view on how good it is?, the advertising blurb says (as you would expect) wonderful. Have just tried to access the website www.docksafe.com with no joy, I assume they are still in business!. All views gratefully received.
 
Can you expand a little on what the "dock safe" actually does? I am sure there are several companies that would do something the same or similar to what you need.
Peter
 
We have had good results from a fixed product by Majoni fenders (Dutch). No connection, just happened to be a random product from a local chandlery.

The inside edge of the fender, fixes (self tapers and large washers) to the outer horizontal and vertical edges of the timber whalers.
Some have been installed for up to 5 years, with no signs of UV damage.

In the depths of winter, there is a small amount of air loss, but not enough to cause any problems, and never had to re-inflate.
Certainly no need to drop additional onboard fenders, and can withstand substantial transverse impact caused by wind or tide.

Adrian, different products may suit certain applications. Is your marina subject to weather and tidal conditions which could create difficult berthing scenarios, or are you well sheltered and non tidal?
 
There was a recent discussion (In last two months) on here about Docksafe, but I can't even find it using the Search.

But, having looked at the Majoni Fender website, do you think it is a bit Chav to have a set of Lady Fenders?

It is a very poor website so I can only direct you to the fender I am talking about.

http://www.majoni.nl/ Click Special Fenders and hover over the second product - Lady Fender.

Someone call them and offer them a better web solution.
 
AFAIK Docksafe went out of business?? Hope I'm wrong on that, but it is what I was told.

We have it on our berth (inherited it from last berth holder) and it's very good. Two major points are no sleepless nights wondering if the fenders are doing their jobs and when single handed, easy to nudge the nose in and hold her in place while I jump ashore to secure.

There are plenty of alternatives that do exactly the same job.
 
Major Catastrophe said:
There was a recent discussion (In last two months) on here about Docksafe, but I can't even find it using the Search.

But, having looked at the Majoni Fender website, do you think it is a bit Chav to have a set of Lady Fenders?

It is a very poor website so I can only direct you to the fender I am talking about.

http://www.majoni.nl/ Click Special Fenders and hover over the second product - Lady Fender.

Someone call them and offer them a better web solution.
Click to expand...



LOL.....I didn't see the Lady Fenders before (I don't know what thats all about :o maybe for lonely sailors!)

The sort we use are the first two below called Dock Fender 1 and DF 2.
The two colours that I've seen have been white and blue. After going down to the marina for another look, the blue is slightly showing signs of fading, but still structurally sound, as is the white.

I am sure there are other good brands also, these are just what was available, and so far so good.
 
If you fit any kind of fendering to the pontoon/dock make sure you use normal fenders (i.e. hung from the boat) as well when you are moored for any time if there is likely to be movement of the boat.

Our mooring can be a bit lumpy and fixed fender didn't do the gelcoat a lot of good...
 
Greg2 said:
If you fit any kind of fendering to the pontoon/dock make sure you use normal fenders (i.e. hung from the boat) as well when you are moored for any time if there is likely to be movement of the boat.

Our mooring can be a bit lumpy and fixed fender didn't do the gelcoat a lot of good...
Click to expand...


Nothing touching gelcoat 24/7 is going to be good, just some are better than others.

If your boat is on a marina finger berth, do what you can (if possible) to locate the hull away from any fendering.
A workable set-up for a vessel berthed aft in, involves lines running from the midship and stern quarter aft and out from the side away from the finger, to a main walkway cleat. With lots of tension on these extra lines, they pull against the forward facing spring (finger side), suspending the boat away from the fenders.

You may have to release the stern quarter line if you board from that edge, and when you leave the marina (to go home) re-tension again.
 
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Hi folks,
Thanks for all your input, I think I shall continue with my current practise which is to berth stern to using two crossover springs for the stern and a fore and aft spring on the finger side. This tends to hold the boats finger side fenders about six inches off the pontoon, so they do not touch the boats side or the finger itself. It seems that the general opinion is I would be wasting my cash/not getting any benefit from Docksafe.
 
Adrianwool said:
Hi folks,
Thanks for all your input, I think I shall continue with my current practise which is to berth stern to using two crossover springs for the stern and a fore and aft spring on the finger side. This tends to hold the boats finger side fenders about six inches off the pontoon, so they do not touch the boats side or the finger itself. It seems that the general opinion is I would be wasting my cash/not getting any benefit from Docksafe.
Click to expand...

So no Lady Fenders then?
 
Major Catastrophe said:
So no Lady Fenders then?
Click to expand...

Well there is no sense in wasting money to no effect, but I see nothing wrong with examining all the possibilities and listening to the 'wise heads' on this forum to prevent expensive glass fibre repairs. Not sure I agree with the term 'lady fenders', its a bit like saying wearing a seat belt in a car is an 'unmanly' practise.
 
Adrianwool said:
Well there is no sense in wasting money to no effect, but I see nothing wrong with examining all the possibilities and listening to the 'wise heads' on this forum to prevent expensive glass fibre repairs. Not sure I agree with the term 'lady fenders', its a bit like saying wearing a seat belt in a car is an 'unmanly' practise.
Click to expand...

Oops. A flame because the original poster - ie. you - has not read his own thread.

I'll be over here licking my wounds.

Sob.
 
Major Catastrophe said:
Oops. A flame because the original poster - ie. you - has not read his own thread.

I'll be over here licking my wounds.

Sob.
Click to expand...

I have to say you are absolutely right!, I can't believe that people would call a product that. My humble apologies & I will perform three hail maries as a pennance, or have a few glasses of red.

Regards

Adrian
 
AndieMac said:
Nothing touching gelcoat 24/7 is going to be good, just some are better than others.

If your boat is on a marina finger berth, do what you can (if possible) to locate the hull away from any fendering.
A workable set-up for a vessel berthed aft in, involves lines running from the midship and stern quarter aft and out from the side away from the finger, to a main walkway cleat. With lots of tension on these extra lines, they pull against the forward facing spring (finger side), suspending the boat away from the fenders.

You may have to release the stern quarter line if you board from that edge, and when you leave the marina (to go home) re-tension again.
Click to expand...

I agree but with fenders hanging from the boat they move (roll sideways) and don't do as much harm to the gelcoat as a fixed fender that doesn't move. I have solved the problem by fitting a rubbing strake and using balloon fenders.
 
Major... I don't think Adrian went into the link you provided :-), I may have to get a couple for a laugh....

Greg....often the rolling sideways thing is a problem in itself. If the springs aren't tight the boat 'walks' up and down the berth, pops the fender up onto the finger berth during an 'on-berth wind event' and chaffs on the whalers or that poor super hard grey D rubber.

Just have to see what works best for you in your own berthing arrangement, there are too many variables to generalise.
 
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