Pumping up your fenders

[curlysue]

Anybody know what is best kit for this simple ( but frustrating ) job. I've bought two packs of various valves and none seem to work.

 

[ancientsailor]

We've always found a fender pump works fine - it comes with a variety of adaptors ... had to experiment to find one that fits

http://www.compass24.com/web/catalog/shop/technics_chandlery_fender_accessories/4858546

 

[Blue5]

Use a tyre inflater on a compressor, you dont need a special valve just hold it directly over the valve in the fender, works a treat

 

[RobinBirch]

Curlysue

A lot of us have difficulty in inflating fenders.....sometimes the valves stick together and need a helping hand. I poked around with a rounded screwdriver, gently. Something like a largish knitting needle would do nicely. As always, a bit of lube helps..........

 

[Matt341]

After a very bad storm back in October all the fenders on the pontoon side were completely flat and we thought they had burst. We put the other fenders out and were about to throw these flat fenders but my son suggested using a football pump, its very small and has a thin needle on it. It did the job just perfect, it did take about 15 mins but the fenders were completely flat. 6 months later and they are still fine.

Ian

 

[MoodySabre]

Plastimo fenders need a special adapter.

I tried to pump another make up this week with a football type adapter and now it has no functioning valve at all

 

[Ruffles]

Don't overinflate them 'cos when you chuck them into the cockpit they tend to bounce over the rail

 

[curlysue]

some interesting comments and ideas here. Keep them coming. I,m back at the boat on Tues and will put them into action. Hopefully with success !!

 

[Coaster]

We recently inflated 8 new fenders with needle type valves and have learnt the following:

1. The needles are quite fragile. The long thin part can separate from the base too easily (happened to us twice). We bought an extra-strong needle.

2. A simple bicycle pump is adequate but do use the flexible tube to connect the pump to the needle. If you simply attach the needle direct to the pump you'll increase the likelihood of breaking the needle.

3. If there's any resistance to insertion of the needle, use washing up liquid or some other lubricant, to avoid damaging the valve within the fender.

Good luck.

 

[Martin_J]

Lesson to be learnt when buying fenders....

I recently visited a local marine superstore and bought some fenders.. great price for the size they were... mistake... make sure what you're buying is the manufacturers' specified size. When deflated to the size specified on the size (imprinted on them) they were quite small..

It is so easy to inflate a fender to well over the specified maximum size... then what size really is the fender?


Easy to inflate - a collection of adapters will fit - just if there is a non-return valve it might require a certain amount of pressure before it will 'non-return'.

 

[William_H]

Fenders

I reinflated some fenders receently. Now they may have been some Australian brand but they did not have valves at all. They just had a plug. The plug was very deep in the fender and when looked at closely looked like a filler hole. I eventually forced a self tapping screw into the hole until it locked tight. (or was it a wood screw?) A pair of pliers onto the screw andf pulled. A brass plug came out.
Using a compressor it was no trouble to inflate them. A loose coupling by pressing onto the hole did it. Then finger over the hole and quick finger away and plug in. A little pressure lost but no probs. Except one had a big hole in it. It is just possible your fender is of this style. olewill