Fender Marks on Hull

[windlipper]

I've moved pontoon berths and now are more often blown on rather than off, result more fender marks! I considered fender socks but can see 2 disadvantages - firstly cost and secondly - almost all I see with these, the socks are torn and shredded. A fender blanket is an option but I'm not sure what material would be best and kinder to a GRP hull.

Experiences, successful or otherwise would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[William_H]

Fender marks

I would be inclined to leave fender as is and be prepared to clean the hull with Acetone occasionally to get rid of the marks.... olewill

 

[sailorman]

I've moved pontoon berths and now are more often blown on rather than off, result more fender marks! I considered fender socks but can see 2 disadvantages - firstly cost and secondly - almost all I see with these, the socks are torn and shredded. A fender blanket is an option but I'm not sure what material would be best and kinder to a GRP hull.

Experiences, successful or otherwise would be appreciated.

Thanks

socks are good for many yrs
light acrylic canvas for the latter

 

[tidclacy]

I used a cotton fender blanket for years and worked a treat, never any marks. If you get grit into fender socks they can badly scratch your topsides.

 

[VADROUILLE]

socks are good for many yrs
light acrylic canvas for the latter

dont know where you get your fenda socks, they must be made out of that superman stuff. kryptonyte or whatever it is.

in reality my boat has been moored alongside in a locked in marina surronded by buildings (so not much wind or tide to move the boat)

8 months ago i fitted fenda socks, got them off ebay but they still cost a lot, im getting holes in mine allready, admitadly a couple of mine are the double skin versions (more expensive) and they have faired a great deal better. but if it were me, and im sure it will be when these socks have completly gone. i would get a blanket, no idea what material so i shall be watching this post for some advice on the blanket material.

have fun!

 

[johnalison]

I think that a good fender mat is the ideal solution, though I don't have one myself. With a mat it doesn't matter if the fenders are a bit grimy. A significant problem can be abrasion, whether using sox, bare fenders, or a mat. The best way of minimising this is to spring the boat effectively in order to avoid movement fore & aft which will grind dirt into the hull.

 

[alan17]

Springs

Clearly you set your springs much tighter than I would ever consider!

 

[johnphilip]

Springing off

Springs to keep the boat away fromthe finger would be fine if the finger extended to somewhere near the stern.
We have had a fender cloth for years, it came with a previous boat and must be 20years old. Heavy PVC with eyelets to hang it from the toerail, it has kept the topsides scuff free. I reckon the material must be almost as heavy as the curtain sides on big lorries.

 

[eddie2000]

I've moved pontoon berths and now are more often blown on rather than off, result more fender marks! I considered fender socks but can see 2 disadvantages - firstly cost and secondly - almost all I see with these, the socks are torn and shredded. A fender blanket is an option but I'm not sure what material would be best and kinder to a GRP hull.

Experiences, successful or otherwise would be appreciated.

Thanks

Why not move to a berth where the prevailing wind blows you off the finger?
Or does the marina charge more for these!!!

Eddie

 

[Scillypete]

Now this is the worst case of fender rub I have seen . . . . . .

 

[vyv_cox]

Our marina berth in Holland was similar, we were blown onto the finger in any breeze and for most of our seven years there we remained afloat all year. We fixed fenders to the berth to avoid them riding over the pontoon and allowing the boat to contact the timber. The fenders were 'socked' with towelling, a simple DIY job. We occasionally hosed them down but there was no evidence of an abrasion by grit. After seven years there was still some life in the socks.

Interesting seeing Scilly Pete's photo. Next to us in Holland was a small Etap with unsocked fenders. It wasn't as bad as his example but was severely rubbed by the naked fenders.