Ropes and Fenders - What size?

[rich2925]

So my new boat arrives this week and I am unsure if the sale includes any ropes and fenders (I never thought to ask in the excitement)

Anyway assuming it does I will want to buy some smarter looking ones and particularly regarding ropes wonder how to choose what size (diameter) / length and how many I need, and the same applies to fenders.

The boat is a Fairline Targa 38

Is there a way to work this out or is it just what seems right, I can look at other similar boats to see what they have but wanted to try to sort before I get there.

Thanks

 

[petem]

Rich,

I have 5 old but serviceable original FL branded fenders (part #30429) with the original white tails with red stitching. The tails are actually really long (about 8 ft) but I don't mind about that.

I'm going to order another 4 to replace some non matching ones (plus original tails) giving me 9 matching ones in total. You can buy them here http://www.bateswharfparts.co.uk/product-category/fairline/fairline-fenders/. Other sizes are here http://www.bateswharfparts.co.uk/product-category/fairline/fairline-fenders/.

The tails are really thick and don't come undone even with a simple clove hitch.

Regarding lines, I have two original OEM black lines plus another newer / longer OEM one. I imagine that Bates can get these for you too.

I'll clean the old fenders in the spring and cover all the fenders with some of my Rollneck fender sock material.

Pete

 

[Groova]

We bought a Fairline Targa 37 in October and also want to update the ropes.

Whilst at the boat show last Friday I looked up on the web and found a table that suggested 14mm thick rope for a boat of our length (11.5m). So I bought two 14m x 14mm lines from TCS Chandlery as it was on offer. It was the Waveline pre spliced nylon with polyester outer cover.

I'll probably get some 10m lengths as well but again not sure on how many separate lines one should have? Anything to replace the old manky lines we've inherited.

Fenders - we will get ours cleaned up and then get some new covers. We have 8 in total.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tranona]

So my new boat arrives this week and I am unsure if the sale includes any ropes and fenders (I never thought to ask in the excitement)

Anyway assuming it does I will want to buy some smarter looking ones and particularly regarding ropes wonder how to choose what size (diameter) / length and how many I need, and the same applies to fenders.

The boat is a Fairline Targa 38

Is there a way to work this out or is it just what seems right, I can look at other similar boats to see what they have but wanted to try to sort before I get there.

Thanks

You need a minimum of 6 fenders(Majoni size 4 for example) but depending on where and how you moor extras could be useful.

For mooring warps, again depending on where you moor you need a set for your permanent mooring and some to take with you. I prefer to have my permanent ones left at the berth, but many use the same lines for their home mooring and when cruising. A good start would be two 1.5 times the length of the boat and two the same length. You can buy ready made dock lines with an eye at one end, typically either 10 or 15m length, minimum of 14mm diameter, but 16mm would be better. Also worth having a longer line of say 30m as well.

 

[petem]

My reason for 9 is to give 4 each side plus one on the stern. Two of the mongrel ones are OK so I might keep them too.

If starting from scratch, it may be worth getting couple of ball fenders instead of cylinders.

Regarding cylinders, I'm quite fussy and prefer single eye ones.

The larger ones are also good for wedging down the verticals of the guard rails so SWMBO doesn't need to bring them all back into the cockpit.

 

[Bandit]

Fenders
Its useful having spliced lines for fenders but an eye that can be threaded on to the fender and pulled through itself, I use fenders with an eye at each end. Fenders go sticky in the sunlight after a few years with eyes at both ends you can undo the fender line and use the other end doubling the life of the fender. I also prefer fender socks, but that's a personal preference.

Mooring warps
Personally I would go for 16 or 18mm lines on a boat that size and I prefer three strand polyester as it wears better than the braided lines with and outer sheath.

 

[rich2925]

Thank you, my shopping list currently looks like this then:

8 x Fenders + lines - think I prefer Blue ones or some blue socks
2 x Ball Fenders ( i need to think about storing all this too)
2 x 18m x 16mm Mooring warps
1 x 30m x 16mm Mooring warps
Dock Lines to leave on permanent mooring - with what I have above this can wait to decide what may be best

Hopefully looks OK

 

[[165042]]

Speak to these people - I've had custom fender covers made by them in the past - good quality and a good price:

https://www.m2mfenders.eu/

 

[jrudge]

I have had ropes chafe through several times and 2 fail without apparent chafing ( new lines that came with the Boat)

The chandlers make a recommendation based on something but they always seem to thin for me.

I would get the thickest lines you feel are manageable for you and whoever you Boat with.

I don’t know if you are in the med but here the lines are relatively short as all we are trying to do is connect to he dock and put on some cross lines.

In the U.K. I imagine you are going to need a bow a stern , 2 long springs and a few spares.

Do remember you have to store them all which also has a bearing on how many you have!

 

[stelican]

Thank you, my shopping list currently looks like this then:

8 x Fenders + lines - think I prefer Blue ones or some blue socks
2 x Ball Fenders ( i need to think about storing all this too)
2 x 18m x 16mm Mooring warps
1 x 30m x 16mm Mooring warps
Dock Lines to leave on permanent mooring - with what I have above this can wait to decide what may be best

Hopefully looks OK

30m is far too long for a bow line usually no longer than the boat so it doesn't land up in the props

 

[petem]

If it's of interest, your boat was supplied new with 2 x 30ft mooring warps. This is what I have plus one that it usually kept in a locker) that I believe is around 50ft. I'd say that the 30ft ones could do with being a little longer, 36ft (the length of the boat) would be perfect.

 

[JerryC]

You need at least one large ball fender when maneouvering the boat to the right angle to a pontoon before you leave in astern. As other have already said, 6 cylinders. Check what size lines your crew can comfortably and confidently handle when lassooing bollards/cleats. When you go ashore to do the springs you can change the throwing lines for more sturdy warps.

 

[JerryC]

30m is far too long for a bow line usually no longer than the boat so it doesn't land up in the props

I'm sure I read on here about a dropped bow line being sucked through the bow thruster! Stern lines worry me more regards prop entanglement, because I can't see what the crew are doing in the cockpit when I'm at the flybridge helm.

 

[Danvilletim]

Speaking of fenders. My mate and I sold our tech company last fall and are starting a Docking Solutions company called Nautic9. We're starting with inflatable yacht fenders. http://www.nautic9fenders.com. Inflatable fenders are very popular on bigger yachts because they store away so efficiently. But we are selling a lot of smaller boats use them as well. Because you can get bigger fenders and more of them into a much smaller storage space. You an see a video of storing 18" x 42" fenders into a small locker on my 33' Hydrasport.

I'd love to get some input on fender usage.. I'm happy to share the survey results on this thread.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nautic9

If anyone is interested in a discount code, just shout!

 

[Step1]

Congratulations on the new boat. Great choice! On our T38 we have 7 fenders. They came when we bought her. We have 4 down the pontoon side and throw three out on the adjacent boat (non pontoon) side. The only thing I would say with having more is storing them quickly and easily. I squeeze five in the anchor locker on the bow, and I mean squeeze. Just have to be wary when bringing the anchor up when the fenders are stowed that the chain doesn't become too slack and fall off the windlass. Had that a couple of times with the anchor halfway up. Great fun unpicking it! Then we store the two aft fenders in the locker meant for the life raft just forward of the transom door. There are two other fender lockers on the T38, one in under the aft cockpit seat but you have to remove the seat cushion and the GRP lid, so bit of a faff. The other is on the bathing platform but if you have a tender on there, as we do, then you can't access it.

Hope you have many happy hours in your new boat and just shout if you have any other T38 questions.

 

[rich2925]

Congratulations on the new boat. Great choice! On our T38 we have 7 fenders. They came when we bought her. We have 4 down the pontoon side and throw three out on the adjacent boat (non pontoon) side. The only thing I would say with having more is storing them quickly and easily. I squeeze five in the anchor locker on the bow, and I mean squeeze. Just have to be wary when bringing the anchor up when the fenders are stowed that the chain doesn't become too slack and fall off the windlass. Had that a couple of times with the anchor halfway up. Great fun unpicking it! Then we store the two aft fenders in the locker meant for the life raft just forward of the transom door. There are two other fender lockers on the T38, one in under the aft cockpit seat but you have to remove the seat cushion and the GRP lid, so bit of a faff. The other is on the bathing platform but if you have a tender on there, as we do, then you can't access it.

Hope you have many happy hours in your new boat and just shout if you have any other T38 questions.

Thank you and its great to hear from another T38 owner.

 

[rafiki_]

Rich, I have 14 mm warps on Rafiki, and have done for the 5 years I have owned her. I have 2 lengths, 10m and 15m, and she is 11.9m long, and about 12 tonnes. These have worked well during our ownership. You are planning on a bigger diameter on a lighter boat. While this might give you a safety margin, you might want to consider the bulk to store, and the weight of the warps when you/crew are deploying them. I use 5 fenders per side, 8" diameter. You will be ok with 7" fenders.

 

[jcwads]

Great advice on this thread as I am doing the same for my T40. Anyone have any preferences on the fender make, Majoni, Anchor, Polyform etc?

 

[rafiki_]

Great advice on this thread as I am doing the same for my T40. Anyone have any preferences on the fender make, Majoni, Anchor, Polyform etc?

I buy on line from Tom Smith Bouys. Good value and service.

 

[bluetooth]

Speak to these people - I've had custom fender covers made by them in the past - good quality and a good price:

https://www.m2mfenders.eu/

+1. Dud at M2M made me some great personalised fender socks and previously custom printed ball fenders (though he cant do this now).
I have 6 cylinder and 2 ball fenders on my T40. Balls on stern quarter and 3 cylinders per side, as PeteM does, wedged inside guards rails when cruising (and balls tide to transom). Did have 8 but 2 got stolen in winter but didnt make any difference.

I use the recommended width of lines for mid and stern cleats (cant recall but its written on the lines when you buy them) about 3-4 metres and then a 12m thinner one for the bow on the basis its easier and lighter to carry around and to throw as needed (if thruster is struggling). When moored back at marina I double wrap the bow lines to cleats in the belief that this then achieves the strength! I have longer spares if needed but this works for me to avoid having masses of lines to manage on departure and arrival.