quick release connectors for fenders on circa 32mm railing?

vas

vas

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hello,

decided to buy new fenders, don't even want to post a pic of the boat with the existing ones!
I'm going for the Castro NFD http://ipcastro.com/producto/serie-dmn-en/?lang=en Size 3 (the largest) 26cm dia 71cm length, 22mm hole
I'll give you my opion on longevity and quality after the next summer...

Now, one thing I'm not good at (and my crew is typically even worse!) is knots. I know it's easy to tie up fenders and I do get it right most times :D
However I've lost three fenders already due to a friend doing some silly knots and me not coming around quick enough to notice and I don't want this happening with the new ones.

So was thinking if there's any clever device/adapter/don't know how to call it, that would let me secure them at a certain height and be a snap on/off thing to hook them up again either in the same spot or in some other around there obviously either at the same height or easily adjustable!
I'm talking about something that would most likely fit on the rope itself and sort of hook around and hold. I guess one could use a small carabiner but then you'd need to do various knots with eyelets on the rope to secure to at different heights and then it would slide back and forth at will. So no go on that.

Pretty sure there is something but I cannot seem to find it!

er, solutions costing at most 1/3 the price of the fender itself considered (fenders are 38euro each delivered), else I'll keep on using knots :rolleyes:

cheers

V.
 
Andy Bav said:
Sorry, on phone, so difficult to post. Try Fender Flutes at outdoorgb.com or Fast Fender Clips on Amazon. We have the latter, but the former look to be less likely to see lost fenders..
Click to expand...

thanks Andy,

Fender flutes indeed look much safer (rope goes OVER the rail!) Problem with both is that they are for up to 25mm rails. Mine being alloy, are something like 32mm, will measure in the morning.
Wonder if that's a decent project for a 3D printing machine ;)

Hm, edited to say I just checked their site and the FastFender ones do a 32 and 40mm version! at least an option. You haven't lost a fender yet, have you?

any other ideas welcomed but I feel the dia of the rail is going to be my main problem

cheers

V.
 
Last edited:
I stopped using plastic clips on fender lines. They can break when there is a lot of strain coming alongside. A clove hitch or round turn and two half hitches is a basic for crew let alone skipper!
 
Hm, edited to say I just checked their site and the FastFender ones do a 32 and 40mm version! at least an option. You haven't lost a fender yet, have you?



cheers

V.[/QUOTE]
Not yet, but we only use them in a similar situation to you - when crew is less experienced - and we need them adjusted quickly.
:encouragement:
 
Been using the same plastic fender clips for last ten years, no problems with them, they are left out on boat all year round, as there is only two of us find them excellent, we do put a turn around them when left alongside , possible to be different quality in materials not sure of make of ours but would highly recommend them , fenders are always at the correct hight for home berth and very quick to put them out and stow away,
 
jfm said:
I always use fastfenderhanger.com. Great product and I can't imagine changing.
Click to expand...

I'm am surprised, why don't you just use a knot? Surely a clove hitch is no slower and less hassle than faffing about with clips?

Incidentally, IMO a suitable rope for the tails is the key. Fairline have always supplied a fairly thick rope that loses its shine quite quickly and even with the poorest of knots it seems to hold well. I would think that a shiny / glossy rope could be the cause of a few lost fenders.

It's the white / red rope here - https://www.bateswharfparts.co.uk/product-category/fairline/fairline-fenders/.

When I leave the boat I always re-tie all the fenders with round turns and two half hitches. Not lost one yet.
 
jfm said:
I always use fastfenderhanger.com. Great product and I can't imagine changing.
Click to expand...

thanks, found a dealer here, so ordering 4 pairs later on today!
John, I sent you an email with some pics on the back cover for the DSM asking I think a couple of Qs last week. It was a tad large, did you get it?

petem said:
I'm am surprised, why don't you just use a knot? Surely a clove hitch is no slower and less hassle than faffing about with clips?

When I leave the boat I always re-tie all the fenders with round turns and two half hitches. Not lost one yet.
Click to expand...

pete if you see the video you'll realise that it's defo faster to remove and store and reattach than tying knots of any sort.
I agree when leaving I'd probably do two half hitches on top just in case :D

cheers

V.
 
We went the ultimately lazy way after a tip on the forum last year. All fenders permanently tied in position, but attached at the bottom by a long line back to the stern. When you want to stow them you just pull the line at the stern which flips them up to right angles and attach a rigged hook to the stern rail - all 6 fenders done in seconds on one side.

To deploy fenders you let the hook go.

This may not be a technique for the purists.
 
jrudge said:
The fast fender hangers look good.

Now just need to know the tube diameter on a squadron 58 2004. Anyone!?
Click to expand...

J,

searching the last couple of days, a few companies making such things have wire (for sail boats) and then 3 sizes for tubes: 25, 32, 40
Now, 25 on a sq58 it probably aint! that's for I guess up to 40-45ft craft ss railings.
40 would be for the likes of craft with high bulwarks and a tube running on short posts on top.
I'd bet you'd be 32. Mine is 32 but it's alloy.

cheers

V.
 
petem said:
I'm am surprised, why don't you just use a knot? Surely a clove hitch is no slower and less hassle than faffing about with clips.
Click to expand...
No way. These things are far better and far faster than any knot. They are blindingly fast. "Faffing about" is more apt to describe knots. There are no moving parts- you just offer them up to the stainless tube and twist 90 degrees then let go. And as you know my fenders are always put away into lockers immediately I'm off the berth because I hate them on show or on side decks, so there are 20 "knot events" per outing for me. I'm 100% convinced on these fastfender things and will never go back to fender knots.
 
jrudge said:
The fast fender hangers look good.

Now just need to know the tube diameter on a squadron 58 2004. Anyone!?
Click to expand...
32mm but it's better to buy these things oversized anyway as they're even faster to deploy if oversized, and equally effective. I just buy the 40mm
 
vas said:
thanks, found a dealer here, so ordering 4 pairs later on today!
John, I sent you an email with some pics on the back cover for the DSM asking I think a couple of Qs last week. It was a tad large, did you get it?.
Click to expand...
Yep and sorry for not doing a reply yet. I hardly get time- 4 countries so far this week and it's only Thursday- one more to do. Long hauls next few weeks. Will try to find 15mins in next few days -sorry
 
These Fastfenders looks to be a great product - thanks for recommending! I was looking for boat related gift ideas and these seems to be really useful. If they are as good as they look I will definitely be recommending these to a few local boat-equipment stores.
 
Just installed the first one today. Only had one new fender inflated, and the lovely autopressure rib el. pump wasn't at all happy inflating them, need the neighbours aircompressor to do them...
I used a circa 8mm dia bleeding expensive black line a onezillion-ply one, very soft, very smooth but 1.2euro/m (thought it was expensive tbh)
Used 1.5m on each fender, looks really good, fits nicely and rather snug, would probably go with JFM's recommmendation for the 40mm next time as it would be easier to push and twist. Exceptionally easy to pull and lift or lower them as well.
Only wonder if the 40mm would be too loose on the 32mm railing and rubbing/pushing it gets moved about.
Nevertheless, I highly recommend them!
Bought them straight from the company in NL, they have an offer where you order 3pairs and get a 4th pair free!
Need to at last fix my basket fenders now...

cheers

V.
 
vas said:
Just installed the first one today. Only had one new fender inflated, and the lovely autopressure rib el. pump wasn't at all happy inflating them, need the neighbours aircompressor to do them...
I used a circa 8mm dia bleeding expensive black line a onezillion-ply one, very soft, very smooth but 1.2euro/m (thought it was expensive tbh)
Used 1.5m on each fender, looks really good, fits nicely and rather snug, would probably go with JFM's recommmendation for the 40mm next time as it would be easier to push and twist. Exceptionally easy to pull and lift or lower them as well.
Only wonder if the 40mm would be too loose on the 32mm railing and rubbing/pushing it gets moved about.
Nevertheless, I highly recommend them!
Bought them straight from the company in NL, they have an offer where you order 3pairs and get a 4th pair free!
Need to at last fix my basket fenders now...

cheers

V.
Click to expand...

I bought 3 for 4 too after this thread. My rails are 40mm so had to buy the 40mm versions. I'll post how snug they are in a couple of weeks when I get back to the boat
 
Definitely buy oversized imho. My rails are 50 mm on 30posts and mid rails, and the 40 hook fits better/faster on 30 tube than the 30 does. I totally recommend this product.
 
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