inflatable fenders....

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all this talk of fenders has me wondering if the Avon inflatable fenders are any good? Can they stand life as a fender? Do they pop? Does anybody have experience of using them? Are they worth the (not inconsiderable) cost?

rob

 

[stiknstring]

I bought two large ones while I got to grips with close quarters handling of my boat when it was new. They were fantastic and saved my gel coat a few times. I still use them occasionally when rafting up, tying them length-wise along the boat. They are big enough to absorb abrupt landings of rafting boats.

However, my conviction is that they would not last long if used as a primary/only fender especially when the wind gets up in the winter (or now as it happens!). Fenders will pop eventually if subjected to enough force (I lose one or two white fenders every year as I am on the end of a tidal marina pontoon) - I think the Avons would go quicker and the cost of replacement would be considerably more than bog standard fenders IMO.

Hope that helps

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I have two aswell and would agree with the comment above.

Having said that, they are a very good supplement to traditional fenders. you can get really big ones and store them in a small space deflated. They also are very easy to repair if the get punctured, unlike a normal fender that you have to bin if the split.

I have seen many super yachts using them. I guess they have big budgets, bu clearly they do the job.

 

[tudorsailor]

I bought two from eBay. I use them as a supplement to my normal fenders. I have an electric pump for the dinghy so inflating them takes only a moment. However I would not leave the yacht with only the inflatables if for a long time. Superyacht inflatables are even heavier duty and incredibly costly

TS

 

[sailorman]

all this talk of fenders has me wondering if the Avon inflatable fenders are any good? Can they stand life as a fender? Do they pop? Does anybody have experience of using them? Are they worth the (not inconsiderable) cost?

rob

we have owned one for 30 yrs used a few times to date.
there is an Oyster 82 near us owned by a former Oyster owner () she has 5 or 6 Avons deployed on her Port side for the past 4 months

 

[Stuart 1965]

Hi Rob
Inflatable fenders can be good in some places around the boat but I recently bought the rigid sprung bow protector off ebay for the price of a gelcoat repair kit. It is made of upvc which is virtually bullet proof but a dense foam inner that would touch the hull. I say "would" touch the hull because it is sprung away from the stem until it is actually needed. Have a look and you wont need to buy gelcoat repair kits again !