Fenders out underway...

I think people who wear LJs in benign conditions look silly but I don't condemn them, just am concerned about their ability to make any sort of sensible assessment of risk.

How do we know that these people can swim or are not confident swimmers..? Or maybe setting example to younger children on-board.
The beauty about boating is that people can make their own decisions. So whilst fenders out underway and LJs in July are legal options, I say let people crack on.:cool:
 
How do we know that these people can swim or are not confident swimmers..? Or maybe setting example to younger children on-board.
The beauty about boating is that people can make their own decisions. So whilst fenders out underway and LJs in July are legal options, I say let people crack on.:cool:

I think that's fair but people will always have opinions - just as long as there is no compulsion like the silly laws in Ireland and Australia then I'm fine with it.
 
I think people who wear LJs in benign conditions look silly but I don't condemn them, just am concerned about their ability to make any sort of sensible assessment of risk.

I'd say exactly the same of people who don't where LJ's when conditions are bad.
 
The only time I've ever actually fallen overboard was in a marina. And it was while stepping on to a pontoon while crewing. I didn't have a LJ on but as it was autumn had on heavy clothes and jacket. At first the jacket was trapped with air and I bobbed like a cork, then it filled with water and was extremely difficult to move/swim in. I dont wear a LJ at anchor, but if the boat is moving or I am moving around the boat exterior, LJ always. It's the stupidist of things that will catch you out. Not risk assessment on the fly.
 
While it’s most important that our forumites look the part while out on the water. What annoys me is when boaters pull in their fenders as soon as they start moving. To me the fenders are necessary until you reach open water.

I can honestly say that unless there is good reason ( there rarely is - could be very very windy for example) the fenders have served their purpose the moment we are off the berth and are flipped on the side deck immediately ( med mooring - they are always the same and i like them down at anchor so putting them in the fender racks achieves little). I cant see why you would leave them out as then the boat will have a chance of rolling about etc as opposed to being flat in a marina.

If someone wants to leave them out then fine - my sole concern would be practical - losing one and the damage it might do.

I have done it by accident a few times and it is usually obvious by the ploom of water out the side of the boat!
 
I can honestly say that unless there is good reason ( there rarely is - could be very very windy for example) the fenders have served their purpose the moment we are off the berth and are flipped on the side deck immediately ( med mooring - they are always the same and i like them down at anchor so putting them in the fender racks achieves little). I cant see why you would leave them out as then the boat will have a chance of rolling about etc as opposed to being flat in a marina.

If someone wants to leave them out then fine - my sole concern would be practical - losing one and the damage it might do.

I have done it by accident a few times and it is usually obvious by the ploom of water out the side of the boat!
No matter how benign the conditions or how skilled the captain is, there’s always a chance that someone can bump into you in the close confines of a marina
 
Mea culpa?

But, the things is, when underway we have a plan. Mrs BB holds onto BB Junior and keeps him out of trouble, I deal with the boat. I can cast off the bow line and secure the bitter end to the canopy frame, cast off the stern line, take onboard with me and secure it out of harms way.

So, we're now trundling out of the harbour, warps are secure, but fenders are still out. Passage from Yarmouth harbour entrance to Lymington entrance is 2.3 miles. Passage speed is 15 knots. It'll be less than 10 mins until we are back into a 6 knots limited area.

To bring the fenders inboard, I have to find a bit of open water with enough room, leave the helm, venture onto the side deck, make 4 return trips to the cockpit, then, ten mins later do the reverse process.

To my mind, its not worth the risk.

So yesterday we crossed to Lymington with the fenders out.

Tsk, tsk..... Next you'll be leaving your top button undone, and then telling us you took your tie off altogether.
 
The life jacket thing is funny, as said ,in mallorca hardly anyone wears them, but on the odd occasion you do see someone with them on it's a near certainty that they will be flying the red ensign.
 
Wasn't this thread about Fenders............... It seems to of morphed into one about Life Jackets.......... Why not throw in a bit about flying the Union Flag from your boat as well to fully add confusion to the mix
 
Yes it was and yes it did morph, like many threads do, usually 'cos someone posts something a bit daft or off topic, but you're a bit late with the flag etiquette. See post #31 :)
 
Blimey dont any of you have a highly trained SWMBO to pull your fenders in for you? Very useful item to have on board. I recommend having one to every boater. Useful for other tasks too
 
@Deleted User I pass the helm to my crew while I go fwd on deck (in a LJ, 'cos of UK waters temp and tides) to manage the fenders rather than command her to do it.

This is why, lol
 

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@Deleted User I pass the helm to my crew while I go fwd on deck (in a LJ, 'cos of UK waters temp and tides) to manage the fenders rather than command her to do it.

This is why, lol

Yeah right. I only marry them if they're useful as well as ornamental;)
 
Blimey dont any of you have a highly trained SWMBO to pull your fenders in for you? Very useful item to have on board. I recommend having one to every boater. Useful for other tasks too
I kinda remember you going through a few of said "Asset" Mike lol ;) :D
 
Hi Mike, it's getting late, we're departing from the thread into a bit of banter now but hey ho :) Maybe you missed my point(s) - my crew can helm!

BTW, she's also a coastal skipper, she's not my wife, and I found her on Crewbay.
 
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