Fenders at anchor ....

[Baggywrinkle]

Sitting in an anchorage with 20-30 other boats, real mix of fender deployment .... is it normal to have fenders out when anchoring?

 

[Resolution]

Yes both sides if in a crowded anchorage, but none if we are , as we prefer, pretty much on our own.
All theoretical anyway, as we cannot get to our boat this year. Fingers crossed for a vaccine soon.

 

[johnalison]

I can't imagine anchoring in a place where fenders would be necessary. It sounds like my idea of hell.

 

[greeny]

Sitting in an anchorage with 20-30 other boats, real mix of fender deployment .... is it normal to have fenders out when anchoring?

Does it really matter? Are you bored?

 

[laika]

If someone anchors too close and I reckon there's a chance of contact given the wrong set of circumstances I'll deploy fenders where I think such contact might occur, e.g. on the quarter. Certainly not something I do as a matter of course.

 

[Yngmar]

Ours always hang on the top of the rail now, hoisted up on both ends so they don't drag in the water when sailing. That way they're easy to deploy and don't have to be hauled around the deck when we go in somewhere, and can be very quickly dropped into use by releasing the short bit of string that holds the bottom. This is useful when some boat starts to drag onto you and you have little time to react.

We normally try to avoid anchorages where it's so crowded you need fenders down. And we try to talk to people who have poor spatial awareness. Sometimes they're quite happy if you point out a better spot for them!

 

[Zing]

Never done it, but it can only help I suppose. It can be a stressful affair.

I’ve been hit twice by dragging boats, both times straight on the bow. One time they bashed up the bow rail, the second time my chain smashed up their rotating prop and spun them away.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Does it really matter? Are you bored?

Yes, I was sitting in my cockpit pondering the reasons behind peoples choices. ?

 

[michael_w]

IMHO the Quebecois are the worst offenders for 'snuggling up'.

 

[oldgit]

........if you think I am going to haul up 14 fenders more than once a year !

 

[pyrojames]

Only if i have a tender lying alongside.

 

[EugeneR]

If someone anchors too close and I reckon there's a chance of contact given the wrong set of circumstances I'll deploy fenders where I think such contact might occur, e.g. on the quarter. Certainly not something I do as a matter of course.

+1

 

[GHA]

Fenders never see the light of day apart from a very occasional trip to get fuel. Anchor upwind, it's usually easier

 

[Stemar]

I can't imagine anchoring in a place where fenders would be necessary. It sounds like my idea of hell.

This.

I pay for my <1 m draft in windward performance, but the huge advantage is I can get away from the mob and find a shallow, secluded corner.

 

[ctva]

Never even thought about it. On the very odd occasion someone has looked like anchoring inappropriately close, a well timed and helpful comment has always worked. Mind yo, unless you are in Puilldobhrain space is never a problem up here.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Some other answer: No, what a weird idea.

 

[JumbleDuck]

........if you think I am going to haul up 14 fenders more than once a year !

Motorboat owner, by any chance?

 

[SimonFa]

I'd never given it a thought. On reflection, I wouldn't and would be concerned about someone sliding past, fenders getting tangled and ripping out stanchions

I suppose you pays you're money and takes your chance.

 

[RichardS]

Having actually been rammed in the middle of the night by a dragging boat and had my bow crumpled, the definitive answer is (B), fenders at the bow, as that's where you will be hit. However, the zero response indicates that actually attaching a fender at the bow and making it stay there when the wind and waves get up, is a near impossibility.

Dedicated bow protectors are the only viable answer, but this was not an option in the poll.

Richard

 

[RupertW]

I can't imagine anchoring in a place where fenders would be necessary. It sounds like my idea of hell.

Each to their own. Utterly clear turquoise water at 28 degrees, a hot blue sky, a smell of rosemary and olive trees baking in the sun and a bunch of tavernas and twisty old streets just a tender ride away makes up a lot for boats close by (I.e on,y 10 times the distance in a marina).

So fenders remains out from one end of the season to the other and you relax with a beer and let people do their thing. People do move if they nudge you and that very rarely actually happens.