Marking fenders indelibly

[sarabande]

With the boat out of the water at last (thank you Bilbo) my attention turns to the minutiae of maintenance.

Is it a good idea to mark fenders with the boat's name and MMSI number, or will a lost item get the CG in a twizzle ?

I have various "permanent" felt tip pens, but my experience is that permanency does not last a summer.


What markers can the panel recommend to write "F/T (Fender To - geddit ?) Saucy Sue, MMSI 12345" and which will not dissolve the fender, rub off on newly polished gel coat, or fade, please ?

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

How about writing the boat name and your phone number with something metal, pointy and hot enough to melt the surface of the plastic?
Special dinghy paint lasts much longer than felt-tip.
I wouldn't bother with MMSI/callsigns, they won't assist good samaritans to return your fenders if they go adrift, and the CG don't check random fenders bobbing about.. why not just melt or paint your mobile number, so you will get your fenders back if they blow away.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have tried various methods and find hot iron branding the only way.

If you use felt tip pen an littles running with wet and dry will remove the marking if the finder is not intent on returning.

 

[johnalison]

A permanent marker pen can be removed with white spirit but has its uses. We haven't lost a fender for quite a few years now, since we learned to tie knots, but I see them as an exercise in alms-giving, not having got around to marking them.

 

[[163233]]

The blue hulled boat next door seems to be permanently marking ours.

 

[[70521]]

With the boat out of the water at last (thank you Bilbo) my attention turns to the minutiae of maintenance.

Is it a good idea to mark fenders with the boat's name and MMSI number, or will a lost item get the CG in a twizzle ?

I have various "permanent" felt tip pens, but my experience is that permanency does not last a summer.

Perhaps contacting Princess Yachts to see how they do it. All of their new boats have very nicely marked fenders.

 

[lw395]

Perhaps contacting Princess Yachts to see how they do it. All of their new boats have very nicely marked fenders.

I think that's moulded in?

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

In idle moments I have thought of making a metal branding stamp, with the boat's name on in a pleasing typeface.
It would be heated red hot on the cooker, and used to mark fenders, broomsticks, whatever. ( Even crew members )

 

[rogerthebodger]

In idle moments I have thought of making a metal branding stamp, with the boat's name on in a pleasing typeface.
It would be heated red hot on the cooker, and used to mark fenders, broomsticks, whatever. ( Even crew members )

How do you propose making a small enough metal branding stamp.

I am thinking of having a stamp made by laser cutting the head in 6mm thick stainless then attaching it to a steel handle.

What size were you thinking of.

 

[Wandering Star]

Have you considered renaming your boat “Anchor” or “Mojomi” and treating her to a new set of appropriately manufactured fenders?

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

How do you propose making a small enough metal branding stamp.

I am thinking of having a stamp made by laser cutting the head in 6mm thick stainless then attaching it to a steel handle.

What size were you thinking of.

I have been looking for individual letter punches in a large enough size, say 1" high letters, but can't seem to find any.
I know they used to be made, I have seen entire ship's engine rooms with hand-punched brass plates identifying all the valves, hundreds of them, but only little ones seem to be available today.
The individual ones could be mounted in a handle as you say.
Laser cutting is something to be explored as well.

 

[Muddy32]

Marking fenders will come off, even with permanent pens, and your neighbours will scrub you off their Christmas list.
Write on the top or bottom that does not come in contact with your or others gel shield/paint.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I think 1 " may be too big fo me as my boat name is 12 letters long and I only want to make then fore identification

I have some 6 mm letter and number stamps and wii either to brand one letter at a time of buy more sets.

I could design a name where the letters are connected to make branding a single action operation.

 

[Mike k]

you can get fender socks printed with name etc and they are kinder on the hull

 

[rogerthebodger]

you can get fender socks printed with name etc and they are kinder on the hull

Until the sock fabric get impregnated with grit and sand.

 

[awol]

Have you considered tying them on to the boat with more secure knots? That way you won't need to mark them.
If you remove and stow the things as soon as you leave your berth how can you lose them?

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

Have you considered tying them on to the boat with more secure knots? That way you won't need to mark them.
If you remove and stow the things as soon as you leave your berth how can you lose them?

I always leave an old fender dangling, it's used to infuriate the blue-blazered ancients gesticulating from the club bar.
I'm on the waiting list for a mooring, but the old buoy-blockers seem to live for ever.
Each explosion of apoplexy resulting in a terminal heart event gets me closer to that plum spot..

 

[rogerthebodger]

Have you considered tying them on to the boat with more secure knots? That way you won't need to mark them.
If you remove and stow the things as soon as you leave your berth how can you lose them?

A secure not does not help when the fender line breaks.

 

[awol]

A secure not does not help when the fender line breaks.

Thicker string?

 

[dunedin]

Have you considered tying them on to the boat with more secure knots? That way you won't need to mark them.
If you remove and stow the things as soon as you leave your berth how can you lose them?

:encouragement: