Fender Sizes

[RichardTaylor]

Might be a silly question....

...........but we up sizing boat and wondering what size fenders would people recommend for a 33ft sailing boat, and also thinking probably 4 good size one and perhaps 2/4 smaller ones?

Thoughts?

 

[VicS]

more large ones if you have the space to stow them, less small ones I would think.

You will never have the right combination for all situations.

 

[haydude]

Might be a silly question....

...........but we up sizing boat and wondering what size fenders would people recommend for a 33ft sailing boat, and also thinking probably 4 good size one and perhaps 2/4 smaller ones?

Thoughts?

Go with Polyform F2 22x64 cm. They are the ideal size for storage too. I would not recommend bigger fenders because then you will have problems of weight and storage.

BTW, I moved to a 42ft from a 36ft and before I had a 30ft and I realized I still prefer the F2 size. Moving on with boat size confidence and expertise in berthing also improved which means one do not really need bigger fenders.

 

[IanH]

Sorry to hijack but the same topic...

how about for a 21ft boat? Woudl smaller than 22x4 do the trick?

Ta

 

[ctva]

Always worth having a big round buoy fender if you have the space.

As to not needing bigger fenders as your own skill and confidence improves, bigger boat = more weight, = more pressure and you often have to use them to 'defend' against others with less skill than yourself, funny shaped walls or just plain simple old accidents as no-one is perfect all the time.

 

[Ripster]

On our 33ftr we use 5 biggish ones each side when in a marina - with two being big ball ones either side of the bow. They are a pain if you dont need them admittedly, but when rafted, we have been glad we had plenty.

 

[vyv_cox]

We carry something like 16 fenders in all, 34 ft boat. 2 x big balls, 5 each side around 25 cm diameter, various lengths some short, some longer. several smaller ones used for dinghy, boarding ladder, etc. There have been several occasions on which we had every one out.

 

[PetiteFleur]

On our 33' boat we have 7 x 6" x 24" approx. and 2 x 8" x 30" approx. I would have thought a minimum of 4 would be required - 6 would be better. I also have a selection in my shed for when I lose any!

 

[prv]

We carry something like 16 fenders in all

That would probably fill my entire cabin!

Agree though that if you have the room, more is better.

Implies you visit more interesting places than identikit marinas

Pete

 

[davidaprice]

In our 33 foot Maxi 999 we have 8 normal fenders (Polyform F-2, I think): 3 per side and two extra for adding when needed. Also a big ball fender for springing off, etc., and a "Fender Step" for boarding from fingers which doubles as a bow protector when moored bow-to a jetty.

 

[Modulation]

In our 33 foot Maxi 999 we have 8 normal fenders (Polyform F-2, I think): 3 per side and two extra for adding when needed. Also a big ball fender for springing off, etc., and a "Fender Step" for boarding from fingers which doubles as a bow protector when moored bow-to a jetty.

+1. You really need 8 good sized ones to cover all contingencies. Small ones too often just get forced out of position - often when you are not on the boat. I store mine in the stern scoop so they are v easy to get at.

 

[RichardTaylor]

Many thanks for the replies, just out of interest what is so special about Polyform fenders (I am assuming Polyform is a fender manuacturer rather than a generic name)?

Thanks Again Richard

 

[Poignard]

When alongside a pontoon or lock wall I use large diameter ones at bow and stern and smaller ones amidships.

 

[ctva]

Many thanks for the replies, just out of interest what is so special about Polyform fenders (I am assuming Polyform is a fender manuacturer rather than a generic name)?

Thanks Again Richard

No Idea? They all look the same to me, white with blue ends. I got mine from Jimmy Green Marine and then found the rest floating around the Clyde and west coast.

 

[vyv_cox]

That would probably fill my entire cabin!

Agree though that if you have the room, more is better.

Implies you visit more interesting places than identikit marinas

Pete

We get all the sausage ones into the cockpit locker provided the tender is not in there. It's a deep locker that extends well up into the coamings, so a certain amount of ingenuity is required. The balls hang off the pushpit unfortunately, not something I like but no option.

Very few marinas in Greece and I have only visited three of them in four years or so. An awful lot of very rough concrete walls, and many inexperienced stern-to berthers!

 

[davidaprice]

Many thanks for the replies, just out of interest what is so special about Polyform fenders (I am assuming Polyform is a fender manuacturer rather than a generic name)?

They're a Norwegian fender manufacturer (http://www.polyform.no/), quite ubiquitous here in Finland, with useful standard sizes which are also used by e.g. fender sock manufacturers.

 

[Stuart 1965]

What size fenders ?

Hi Richard

After getting tired of gelcoat repairs to my bow I decided prevention was better than cure and bought a rigid sprung bow protector off ebay for about £30 (the cost of a gelcoat repair kit). It actually looks bettter than the bow as it is a highly polished upvc material with dense foam backing to cushion the hull. It sits off the hull until you actually have a collision which is rather clever. It only weighs 500g but is bullet proof. I bet you couldn't hammer a nail into it but a normal fender you can. It doesnt take up any storage space either.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...prung+bow+protector&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Good luck with the new boat.
Regards
Stuart