Fender baskets on a yacht?

Bloater

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SWMBO has decided that our boat needs some new fenders and she had the bright idea that they would be mounted on the outside of the pushpit rails.

As I am the one who helms the boat whilst she risks life and limb putting on the ropes and fenders as we come into the locks then I can see that she has a point in trying to make it easier (and safer) to stow and deploy the fenders.

The thing is I can't recall seeing a sailing yacht that has fender baskets, is there a reason for this? Should I just give in and let her have her way? We have a large enough lazerette that we dont need them mounted topsides to save space.

Any opinions?
 

Tranona

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Very vulnerable on the outside of the rails. No reason why you should not put them on the inside.
 

sailorman

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SWMBO has decided that our boat needs some new fenders and she had the bright idea that they would be mounted on the outside of the pushpit rails.

As I am the one who helms the boat whilst she risks life and limb putting on the ropes and fenders as we come into the locks then I can see that she has a point in trying to make it easier (and safer) to stow and deploy the fenders.

The thing is I can't recall seeing a sailing yacht that has fender baskets, is there a reason for this? Should I just give in and let her have her way? We have a large enough lazerette that we dont need them mounted topsides to save space.

Any opinions?

it will add to windage & not so good in heavier weather.
i admit i tie mine to the stern rail (inboard) when single handing on a coastal day sail
 

Bloater

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Very vulnerable on the outside of the rails. No reason why you should not put them on the inside.

We were going to use stainless baskets so they shouldn't be vunerable to falling in, we had external ones on previous motor boats.

They would have to go on the outside if we do have them otherwise they will obstruct the lazerette locker lids.
 

Tranona

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Not the falling in bit, but sticking out of the side of the boat may be a problem when berthing.

Liks Sailorman, I tie mine inside the pushpit when day sailing, or hang over the sugar scoop.
 

Poignard

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The thing is I can't recall seeing a sailing yacht that has fender baskets, is there a reason for this? Should I just give in and let her have her way? We have a large enough lazerette that we dont need them mounted topsides to save space.

Any opinions?

Many yachts do have them but I wouldn't because I think they look horrible and it's something else to get knocked off in bad weather, probably taking the pushpit with it.
 
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Many yachts do have them but I wouldn't because I think they look horrible and it's something else to get knocked off in bad weather, probably taking the pushpit with it.

+1 When I bought the Rival she had 3 per side, on the quarters, in board. Not only were they ugly but they got in the way as well. Ruined her lines. The clips for fastening the baskets to the pushpit and guard wire, plus each other were okay but never really held the baskets secure.

However, the baskets are better than hanging them over the stern if one doesn't have room in the cockpit locker or elsewhere.
 

Billjratt

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We have a motor-sailer so maybe this is of no value to you. Anyway, I made extension dodgers which go round the quarters continuing from the normal ones and sewed pockets for two fenders each side (inboard) with smaller pockets for the ropes. The rest of the (many) fenders are distributed between lockers or tied over the bathing platform depending on normal frequency of use. The four in the pockets are easily and safely accessible.
Slovenly confession : sometimes some of the 'extras' are just lobbed into the rib on the davits and tied to the rail.
 

Poignard

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+1 When I bought the Rival she had 3 per side, on the quarters, in board. Not only were they ugly but they got in the way as well. Ruined her lines. The clips for fastening the baskets to the pushpit and guard wire, plus each other were okay but never really held the baskets secure.

However, the baskets are better than hanging them over the stern if one doesn't have room in the cockpit locker or elsewhere.

I can appreciate why people have to have them. I'm lucky that my Twister has big cockpit lockers so I can carry 11 fenders.

Talking of ruining lines: I would remove the guard rails if it were not for the Old Guvnor saying she would not sail with me if I did! :D
 

Evadne

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We have a traditional (i.e. old fashioned) shaped yacht. I made up a large string bag which is fixed on the inside of the pushpit, just aft of a dodger on the after deck. It holds four large fenders. Our cockpit lockers aren't big enough for the four big fenders, although the small ones live in there with the ropes, so they used to inhabit the forecabin which was messy and less than ideal.
 

Talulah

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+1 on getting in the way.
I hooked one once on another boat. Easy enough to straighten out.
I hate the things probably because of the above.
When rafting or squeazing inbetween other boats they can seriously get in the way.
Best left for Motor Boats I think.
 

RupertW

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We have pretty big cockpit lockers too but have too much stuff in them for the 10 fenders we currently need. Liferaft, hoses, oars, outboard tank, diesel cans, tools, paint, snorkel gear, spare solar garden lights and other paraphernalia all add up, and I want none of that inside the cabin

So we tried hanging ours over the pushpit last year and it worked ok apart from the hassle of getting them all untied from the pushpit before anchoring or docking.

Thought of fender baskets but too many needed, so will try out threading a rope through pre-tied loops on the fender rope so they can be rapidly tied or untied as needed.

Not pretty and if I ever finish my DIY I'll make some more room again. Unlikely though.
 

fireball

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Personally I'd just chuck them in the locker - that's what we do ... but then ours are only out when we're visiting...
Invariably I'm the one that gets the fenders out - although I do get some assistance in putting them on the side... :)

If you do mount them outside then what happens when you get a knockdown? Perhaps LiB could answer - but I guess he's not sailing the boat that hard! ;)
 

Seajet

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Yes, they are naff. Might as well just leave them rigged :eek:

+ 1, I'm afraid I'm with Nigelmercier on this one, anyone attempting to do that on my boat would find themselves the subject of a MOB practice, and my recovery skills might be even worse then usual !

I'm lucky in having a large cockpit locker, after 34 years it's a routine move to get the fenders out or stow them.

I suspect a lot of the appeal of such ghastly things as baskets or stowing on the sugar scoop is due to aft cabins taking up the space where a cockpit locker should be ?!
 

Seajet

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No! Workshop takes the place of the cockpit locker, still plenty of space for aft cabin and heads :p

Well whatever the 6 year old Chinese workers are building in your workshop, tell them to stop it, use the forepeak as traditional for such things and let you stow your fenders with a degree of modesty & decorum !

I'm sure there's an Admiralty Instruction manual covering this sort of thing...:)
 
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