Preventing fender scuffing

[extravert]

I want to avoid fenders scuffing of my shiny gelcoat. Some people use socks on their fenders, others use a sheet of fabric hanging down from the toerail. Is either of these methods better than the other? Do fender socks get dirty and then scrape grit up and down? I guess they can be washed. What fabric are the hanging sheets made from, natural or synthetic?

<hr width=100% size=1>Adventures of the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.xrayted.fsnet.co.uk>Teddy Bear Boat</A>

 

[Iota]

Fender skirts tend to be better because the socks unless washed regularly get grit in them and can do more damage than they save. A canvas or sailmaker will make one up very cheaply for you.

Iota

<hr width=100% size=1>Courtesy is an iota but makes the world go round

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

I prefer fender socks as they are virtually fit and forget. I have not noticed any grit problem but I will qualify this, my boat is kept on a mooring and I use the fenders when I visit a marina. So it may depend on your use / situation.

Trevor



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Gunfleet]

I bought four of those blue rectangular fenders on the basis I could keep them with a clean side and a dirty side and they couldn't roll. Cost just over £100 but then the paint job cost a lot over £100

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Eudorajab]

Use a swinging mooring <S>

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[vyv_cox]

We have used fender socks for years, with no evidence of abrasive wear of gelcoat. From time to time, perhaps a couple of times per season, we tow the whole lot behind us, mainly to remove weed and grunge from lock walls but this treatment presumably cleans off grit and sand also. Bare fenders seem to cause far more damage.

<hr width=100% size=1>