Flat Fenders?

[dgadee]

Last winter I was on a pontoon which, in my view, was not particularly well designed. The boats lie in mud at low water and it's possible for fenders to be caught under the deck and punctured by the steelwork. I lost 5 over the winter with large slits which were not repairable.

If I go onto the pontoon next winter, I don't want the added expense of new fenders. I was wondering therefore about flat fenders such as:

Flat Fender

Anyone used them? Non inflated and for steel boats so should be tougher. Would keep the inflatable ones for everyday use.

 

[KeelsonGraham]

We have couple. They’re OK, but in windy conditions they tend to slap and flap against the hull. In really windy conditions they fly up and stow themselves on the deck.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Round fenders will roll against the hull and dock as the boat moves forward and aft.

I would like to find a way of filling hollow fender with a non rigid foam as mine keep being punchered.

I an also looking on fitting rubber tired wheels to my dock to allow better guiding and protection of my boat

 

[The Q]

Just do with out the plastic outer.
Flat Fender Eva + Pe 490 MM (33.504.01) 8033137035739 | eBay

 

[dgadee]

Just do with out the plastic outer.
Flat Fender Eva + Pe 490 MM (33.504.01) 8033137035739 | eBay

How robust are these?

 

[Minerva]

Sounds like a rubbish pontoon deign. Would it be possible to rig some sort of fender board to protect the fenders?

 

[dgadee]

Sounds like a rubbish pontoon deign. Would it be possible to rig some sort of fender board to protect the fenders?

It is. And two (maybe three) of the same design have just been installed. I wonder about that - putting a length of timber on the boat with fenders between the timber and boat.

 

[The Q]

How robust are these?

There are several club members who've had them for some years, I've not seen any fail or deteriorate. The club member who had them in the most exposed position to errant motorboats was happy and didn't replace them with any thing else despite several hits.
I'd be buying them except the motorboat came with an excess of conventional fenders and I've picked up enough conventional small fenders floating around for the small sailing boat

 

[penfold]

For overwintering I'd want to attach fenders to the pontoon rather than the boat, perhaps the simplest would be to lash ordinary fenders around a scaffold plank and then the plank to the pontoon.

 

[The Q]

Attaching fenders to the pontoon means they rub more against your hull than they do against the pontoon.
You want fenders to move with the boat..

 

[penfold]

Not if it means they get punctured. The corollary of that would be to fit a board to the pontoon, if possible, to prevent fenders being trapped underneath, but without knowing how deep it would need to be I'm floundering somewhat.

 

[Iliade]

I use the PVA flat fenders with a fender board where my boat leans against the pier when the tide is out. They last about 18 months before they have compressed too much to be useful. They will blow all over the place if you don't remove them when sailing or if they escape from behind the fender board when moored.

I might try some of the op's quoted ones instead...

 

[dgadee]

Not if it means they get punctured. The corollary of that would be to fit a board to the pontoon, if possible, to prevent fenders being trapped underneath, but without knowing how deep it would need to be I'm floundering somewhat.

Someone attached boards to the new pontoons. Just with bits of rope at each end. Doesn't look as though that attempted solution will make much difference. You would really need something on the side of the pontoon beneath deck level to bolt the plank to.

There were complaints, I hear, that the pontoon wasn't fully occupied last winter (not making money) and I can understand why.

 

[thinwater]

It is. And two (maybe three) of the same design have just been installed. I wonder about that - putting a length of timber on the boat with fenders between the timber and boat.

... That is a fender board.

We use them at every bulkhead we stop at. Some of the commercial docks have lethal steel pointing out.

The foam fenders wear OK on smaller boats, but they don't absorb any impact because they are firm and thin. Good for potential rubbing spots, but not for the main load.

 

[dgadee]

... That is a fender board.

We use them at every bulkhead we stop at. Some of the commercial docks have lethal steel pointing out.

The foam fenders wear OK on smaller boats, but they don't absorb any impact because they are firm and thin. Good for potential rubbing spots, but not for the main load.

Yes, have one which was used where piers were rough and just temporarily. Never had to use one on a new(ish) pontoon and all winter.

 

[William_H]

I made a very crude fender by cutting up and rolling indoor outdoor carpet to a suitabl;e size and shape. I then made a bag of old sail cloth or similar. Loops sewn on top and bottom are used to tie the fender in place. ol'will