Experience with fender mats

[matt1]

These used to be quite in fashion years ago. Anyone used them? Do they prevent any fender marks? Or do they just act as a big piece of sandpaper on the hull?

Thx

 

[greeny]

Work for me in a marina situation. Generally stops fender rub marks and I've seen boats with grooves worn in the gelcoat where dirty fenders have been left to swing along the topsides. Not obvious until you come to polish the boat and then you can see the grooves. Only downside is that in strong wind they can be "flicked" up and the fender drops round the back of them so tie the fenders well in from the ends of the Fender pad.

 

[matt1]

thx

 

[lw395]

They work for us, but we only ever use them short term. Long term, we're on a swinging mooring.
They are good when your fenders are rolling on a grubby wall, pontoon or fishing vessel etc.

 

[richardbrennan]

I've used one for many years on a dark blue hull and they certainly do help prevent fender marks. The point about the wind blowing them up is well made, mine, which was custom made, has weights sewn into the bottom.

 

[westhinder]

I've used one for many years on a dark blue hull and they certainly do help prevent fender marks. The point about the wind blowing them up is well made, mine, which was custom made, has weights sewn into the bottom.

+1

 

[shan]

Could I ask what the construction of the mat is because I'm thinking of sewing some up. My initial thoughts were: canvas outer -thin wadding in the middle - canvas outer.

 

[greeny]

Could I ask what the construction of the mat is because I'm thinking of sewing some up. My initial thoughts were: canvas outer -thin wadding in the middle - canvas outer.

Had mine for years and they've come with me on 6 or 7 different boats now. They're made from a plastic inpregnated canvas material and are basically sewn up as a long flat cushion with approx 8mm foam inside. 6 plastic eyelets along the top to tie them on by. Each cushion is sewn in 4 sections with the foam inside each section making convenient folding points for storage. Try and make the outer waterproof and easy to clean because if you just use canvas, the filler will get wet and the outer will collect dirt and scratch your topsides. Waterproof makes them easily washable with soap, water and deck brush on the pontoon.

 

[lw395]

Could I ask what the construction of the mat is because I'm thinking of sewing some up. My initial thoughts were: canvas outer -thin wadding in the middle - canvas outer.

10mm or so 'camping mat'.
Heavy PVC cover fabric as used for 'curtain-side' trucks outside.
Soft, non-waterproof polyester 'hull side'.
webbing loops on outside for attachment. You don't want webbing rubbing on yer paint.
Our also get used for sleeping on deck etc.
They are not a whole camping mat, they wouldn't have gone in the locker easily if they were. They don't exactly roll tightly.

 

[shan]

Thank you both. You've given me something to think about.

 

[doug748]

Thank you both. You've given me something to think about.

.....I used a single layer of coated acrylic canvas, which does the job ok. It dries easily, or rather does not get very wet, and folds or rolls quite small. It has relatively poor abrasion resistance but this has not proved a problem.

One refinement is that I lined them with non slip mat which prevents any movement against the hull. Webbing or fabric loops avoid the need for metal grommets.

 

[richardbrennan]

Mine is also a single layer with no padding, it folds/rolls very easily. The padding is surely in the fenders, the mat just stops scuffing against the hull.

 

[lw395]

Mine is also a single layer with no padding, it folds/rolls very easily. The padding is surely in the fenders, the mat just stops scuffing against the hull.

I think that's a valid choice, but the foam absorbs the odd knock from the tender or whatever, and the secondary use as a deck cushion makes me think I'd go for foam again. It doesn't cost or weigh much.