Folding Fender Board?

[stevd]

I am looking to create a fender board. Has anyone ever considered making a folding fender board in the past and using a heavy duty strap hinge such as the one shown here on amazon. It would make stowing it a lot easier I should imagine.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eliza-Tinsley-Bright-Plated-Medium/dp/B00P8VPYGQ/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1432723340&sr=8-22&keywords=eliza+tinsley+hinge+strap

I have used these hinges to make a bi-folding very heavy built gate, and they are holding the panels very well. So I thought I could use them to create a folding fender board, or is it just a daft idea?

 

[pcatterall]

My experience with fender boards is that they should be rigid along their length?
having them fold may defeat their purpose ( If side on to a post for example)
Perhaps I have missed something?
Those hinges look Ok but expensive for Zink plated assuming that you need 6 pairs!!

 

[ITH]

just seen a couple (Italian and Greek-flagged) of boats using these in the Aegean. Sorry we weren't close enough to offer useful comment, but one had them hanging folded from the guard rails, the other with ties to the guard rail and preparing to moor up. Only thought was that they would struggle to offer much fendering on low quays.

 

[nathanlee]

My experience with fender boards is that they should be rigid along their length?

If they could only fold one way (towards the boat) then it'd still do it's job as a fender board I should think.

 

[pcatterall]

If they could only fold one way (towards the boat) then it'd still do it's job as a fender board I should think.

I was thinking of a post or protrusion contacting the area near the hinge, if that area was between 2 fenders then I could see the board folding in ( and perhaps the outer ends folding out to clock something!!)??

 

[GrahamM376]

Not sure it's a good idea, they can take some punishment. I tie ours to stanchions and guard wires near the stern when not in use.

 

[knightvision]

I have a couple of these HULL HUGR Folding Boat Fender http://www.ebay.com/itm/390915817915. They work well for us and give us extra coverage when entering canal locks for example.

 

[doug748]

I thought a good wheeze would be to modify one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-Warri...327?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item487099514f

Maybe with 1/4in ply on both sides. Then you've got a passerelle and a fender board.

 

[gasdave]

How long are people's fender boards? I have made a 2m one (based on the usual length I've seen on boats around me), non-folding, easy to store on guard rails. Not sure of the need to have a folding one unless it was going to be particularly long - in which case, why?
I think from the perspective of what you want it to do, a folding one is maybe not a good idea.

 

[dylanwinter]

I know that fender boards are pretty rufty tufty hardcore

However, they are a pain to carry around just for the odd occasion

I use these

http://www.force4.co.uk/anchor-marine-step-fender.html?gclid=CM3a1_n44sUCFdLLtAoddQcAJw#.VWZBqkbwqXg

a pair does nicely

properly rigged they will not turn over and transfer grit to the side of the yacht

Dylan