Flat fenders?

rwoofer

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I'm tempted by flat fenders in order to keep the hull of my new boat in good condition. The thinking being that flat fenders can always have an inside and an outside, so that the inside doesn't get dirt on it.

The alternative is normal fenders with fender socks, but I always thought fender socks can actually collect and harbour dirt.

So why don't more boats have flat fenders? Is there a downside that I'm not aware of?
 

Marsupial

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they're flat, they dont compress as fenders they are pointless, proper fenders on a fender board is a better solution.
 

Drascomber

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Down side - Expensive and require more storage space for a given thickness.

BTW, there is better use for these. A big one can live on the floor in a kitchen or workshop where some one who is vertically challenged needs something to stand on to gain a little extra hieght. Being soft means others don't stub their toes on it and being light it is dificult for you to trip over it (it just flips away).
 

MikeBz

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2 guesses:

1) They will wear out very quickly?
2) They will abrade your hull more because they can't roll with small fore-and-aft movements of the hull?

Mike
 

rwoofer

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When I've observed my boat in a gale in the marina, must of the rubbing seems to be in the vertical plane rather than horizontal. Isn't it the rolling that actually transfers the dirt?

Didn't think about wear, but they do look tough.
 

Dipper

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I've got some Hull Hugrs which are packs of 6 flat fenders which roll up into a single block like a cushion.
hhseries.jpg


I haven't used them yet but they could be useful if a small boat or dinghy comes alongside. I don't know how durable they would be but the RNLI used to use them - not sure what for though! Traditional inflatable fenders would be better for protection against heavy impacts.

I don't think there is a UK distributor for these. I imported mine direct from the manufacturer in the USA.
 

Gunfleet

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I have some which I bought when my hull was painted. When they work they are great. As others have said, though, they are not easy to stow and they have a tendency to blow out of place in a gale.
 

William_H

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Obviously flat fenders would not work if they are inflated with air like round ones becuase they wouldn't have any reason to not colapse in the thinnest direction.
You can make solid fenders by using layers of indoor outdoor carpet in a bag (sock) or you can make a fender out of old rope in the macrame' style.

Simply described. 2 ropes paralell to one another can be knotted together in a reef knot which is repeated again and again down the ropes to make a long knotted bundle. If you use more paralell ropes forming a reef knot first with a rope on one side then with a rope on the other you can make a curtain of knotted rope which has great resiliance becuae of the thickness of the ropes and knots. Or you can get a book on macrame where string is used to make complex hangings. good luck olewill
 
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