Fender Step.

aquaplane

aquaplane

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Do fender steps do any fendering?

Our boat doesn't have too much of a freeboard problem but I'm thinking of getting a fender step to make it a bit easier to step off onto a pontoon/finger.

It crossed my mind that a fender step isn't going to reach low enough to do any fending, and if it did it wouldn't be needed as the small step down would mean it wasn't required.

I also looked at a fender ladder, they may be more use and may be good for getting in and out of the dingy too.

What have you got?
What do you like/dislike about it?
 
aquaplane said:
Do fender steps do any fendering?

Our boat doesn't have too much of a freeboard problem but I'm thinking of getting a fender step to make it a bit easier to step off onto a pontoon/finger.

It crossed my mind that a fender step isn't going to reach low enough to do any fending, and if it did it wouldn't be needed as the small step down would mean it wasn't required.

I also looked at a fender ladder, they may be more use and may be good for getting in and out of the dingy too.

What have you got?
What do you like/dislike about it?
Click to expand...

I have this one. I use it for getting in and out of the dinghy.



I have not used it as fender. I am sure it would make a reasonable one but I only have loop of rope on it so that it can be suspended from a winch

Various lengths are available this is the shortest one

It's a bit narrow. Not being rigid it takes little getting used to
 
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aquaplane said:
It crossed my mind that a fender step isn't going to reach low enough to do any fending, and if it did it wouldn't be needed as the small step down would mean it wasn't required.
Click to expand...

A good point - hadn't occurred to me till you mentioned it :)

Maybe it's best regarded as a fender or a ladder, but not both at the same time.

Unless there are some much longer ones out there?

Pete
 
Try before you buy!

I did and found that neither of the two that I tried would take my weight safely. Neither of the two let me get enough of my foot into it to have a secure grip. A friend, trying barefoot, stubbed her toe on the side of the boat because she could not get her foot in far enough, and then she fell off it.

I also wanted the ladder style, but the dinghy kept on flipping it in the air, so it was neither fender nor ladder.

Maybe the good ones are good.

Mike
 
I've had both types over the years, used solely as a step for getting on and off the (relatively) high topsides.

The ladder variety are not very strong and eventually break at the attachment points, even if you try to share the load using webbing. We've had 2 and both broke after a couple of seasons. Also, as mentioned by others, you can't get your feet into them very easily.

The true 'fender step' is better. Our current one has lasted three seasons without any sign of failing at the fixing points. It is also usable as a fender, particularly when entering locks where the walls or high pontoons mean it actually does do some fendering.

That said, unless you need a step because of high topsides, you would be better off either saving your money or getting a normal fender.
 
Got a fender step, it came with the boat. Great bit of kit as a step but not as a fender. Good point is that it is easily clipped on and off the toe rail with a couple of snap shackles and it wont damage the top sides when in use.
 
We, or more correctly, SWMBO uses a fender step, we have moderate freeboard. Since spending a few seasons trying to always get it tied on at the right height, I have now attached a spring clip off an old safety line, this just clips onto the shroud, same place same height every time.
 
We use a "Fendastep", like a normal fender with slightly offset holes at both ends. Normally used just as a step below the guardwire gate. I reckon that it could be used as either a fender or a step, but not both at the same time. Why not? To be used as a fender it must be positioned between two rigid surfaces; pontoon/hull or wall/hull. That's a position that I don't want for a foot.

I've found it very useful when making the step from deck to pontoon when mooring up. Freeboard near the shrouds is much more than near the cockpit, and a big step down onto a slippery pontoon can be nasty.
 
We have the Dan Fender Fender Step:
fenderstep.jpg

Attached just aft of the shrouds, it makes boarding the boat (Maxi 999, quite high freeboard) from a finger berth very much easier; SWMBO insists on me tying it on before she'll go ashore.

We've also used it as a bow fender when moored bow to a jetty with motorboats' wakes pushing the boat against the jetty; it served the purpose, but now we have a better fender designed just for that purpose.
 
We have the non ladder type. Topsides arent that high but SWMBO isnt up to jumping onto pontoons so we have a fender step that is mid way between deck and pontoon height. Work OK. Just flips up through 180 deg and ties to the guard rails when not in use.

This one.
 
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I had a triangular type. It would stretch so much when anyone stood on it that it became a bit pointless. Then I tried to inflate it and the valve got buugered. We now use a folding step on the pontoon. This has a lanyard and clips on anywhere - the previous one is at the bottom of Shotley marina thanks to someone kicking it off the pontoon (not me honest guv).
 
We used on of the ladder ones, OK as a fender till it tore, but it still functioned as a ladder. Easy to clip on to the toe rail with carabiners
 
Since we're all discussing how we climb aboard...

My side-deck is level with most pontoons, and with a big stride I can step straight from pontoon to cockpit seat if I want to :D

Pete
 
davidaprice said:
We have the Dan Fender Fender Step:
fenderstep.jpg

Attached just aft of the shrouds, it makes boarding the boat (Maxi 999, quite high freeboard) from a finger berth very much easier; SWMBO insists on me tying it on before she'll go ashore.

We've also used it as a bow fender when moored bow to a jetty with motorboats' wakes pushing the boat against the jetty; it served the purpose, but now we have a better fender designed just for that purpose.
Click to expand...

Use the same one, for similar reasons.... Had it 5 years now.
 
Fenda step

I imported this one from the UK while we were living aboard our Moody 40 in Portugal, great piece of kit, I think the design is to allow sufficient load bearing surface.
Stearman65
 
We have the FenderStep as per previous posts with pictures. It came with the boat and is fitted with quick release clamps that we can switch for either side of the boat. it's very useful for stepping on and off the boat and stops the crew from jumping onto the pontoon. Useful also for entering locks were high fenders are needed.
 
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