Silly fender question.

[WestWittering]

I have decided to buy some new fenders but as soon as I am offered a choice I get confused, over research and end up buying the wrong thing.

There seems to be a wide range of prices on the market and I am currently looking at three websites for information - compass marine, force 4 and one on ebay.

I think I need F2 size which is 25" x 9" which are £22 each but on ebay there are some nice ones which are 24" x 8" at 6 for £80 (majoni star 3).

The boat size is 26' and compass recommend either the 25" or the 30" - what size would be best - bigger or smaller? And as Majoni are cheaper, are they still good, or should I just get the expensive ones from Compass and have done with it?

Di

 

[Seajet]

Hello West Wittering,

I'd say go for the best fenders you can, it's not the sort of thing one changes, so you're stuck with them.

I use 3 - 4 fenders each side usually, fat cylindical jobs towards bow & stern, slightly thinner ones amidships - all within say 6 ' amidships on a 22' boat, so they keep a flat contact with a pontoon etc relative to the curve of the side.

 

[A1Sailor]

Hello West Wittering,

I'd say go for the best fenders you can, it's not the sort of thing one changes, so you're stuck with them.

I use 3 - 4 fenders each side usually, fat cylindical jobs towards bow & stern, slightly thinner ones amidships - all within say 6 ' amidships on a 22' boat, so they keep a flat contact with a pontoon etc relative to the curve of the side.

Makes perfect sense - two of equal size plus two smaller ones to go amidships between the other two, plus perhaps another "roving" fender. I also have a pretty large inflatable AVON one, which I use mainly for occasional trips through canals.

 

[Ammonite]

The 24" x 8" fenders on ebay (UK Yacht Rigging...right?) are plenty big enough for a 26 footer. I've recently bought these for my 28 footer. The quality is pretty good for the price and the only problem is that they come uninflated. Don't even think of trying to pump them up with a foot pump - you need a proper airline or you'll lose the will to live. Fortunately my friendly repair shop across the road have one and it took less than 5 mins to do all 6, although I did spend an hour splicing the lines on rather than tying them ;-) Still I needed the practise

 

[Blue5]

I bought some extra fenders for our boat from Compass and in retrospect I wish I could have seen them first.

My existing ones were what I would describe as heavy duty, the new ones were a much lighter quality which probably explains the price.

 

[jac]

I have decided to buy some new fenders but as soon as I am offered a choice I get confused, over research and end up buying the wrong thing.

There seems to be a wide range of prices on the market and I am currently looking at three websites for information - compass marine, force 4 and one on ebay.

I think I need F2 size which is 25" x 9" which are £22 each but on ebay there are some nice ones which are 24" x 8" at 6 for £80 (majoni star 3).

The boat size is 26' and compass recommend either the 25" or the 30" - what size would be best - bigger or smaller? And as Majoni are cheaper, are they still good, or should I just get the expensive ones from Compass and have done with it?

Di

If in doubt (and if you can stow them) go for bigger.

If you're around a marina in a strong wind just have a look at the boats being pushed on to the pontoon. Many of the fenders will be squashed into 1/2 their normal thickness so your pride and joy will have maybe only 2 or 3 inches between it and the pontoon edge.

It's at times like that, that you'll be glad of the extra width ( and proper inflation)


(and apologies that this reference to wanting extra girth is not in the lounge!!!)

 

[Stork_III]

I have decided to buy some new fenders but as soon as I am offered a choice I get confused, over research and end up buying the wrong thing.

There seems to be a wide range of prices on the market and I am currently looking at three websites for information - compass marine, force 4 and one on ebay.

I think I need F2 size which is 25" x 9" which are £22 each but on ebay there are some nice ones which are 24" x 8" at 6 for £80 (majoni star 3).

The boat size is 26' and compass recommend either the 25" or the 30" - what size would be best - bigger or smaller? And as Majoni are cheaper, are they still good, or should I just get the expensive ones from Compass and have done with it?

Compass Marine will be at SIBS, and sell the fenders cheaper there.
Di

I can recommend the Polyform fenders from Compass Marine, (not Compass24). I have had them on my boat 10 years, very hard wearing and no UV degradation/stickness. Cheap fenders will degrade and go tacky.

25" sounds right, 6" for centre, 8" for ends. They come deflated, but with the correct adaptor to fit car foot pump, not difficult to inflate, with inner valve, unlike the ones from Compass24.

 

[jbweston]

I bought some extra fenders for our boat from Compass and in retrospect I wish I could have seen them first.

My existing ones were what I would describe as heavy duty, the new ones were a much lighter quality which probably explains the price.

Bear in mind there is more than one Compass. Compass (sometimes they are Compass 24) - www.compass24.com - are an international online chandlers, with HQ in Germany I think. Compass Marine in Dartmouth - www.compassmarine.co.uk - are fender specialists. They exhibit at shows as well as supplying online.

I have had several orders of fenders from Compass Marine (the Dartmouth lot) and thoroughly recommend them. They do lots of different types and grades of fenders and obviously some are tougher than others. I have no connection other than being a satisfied customer.

Mine are their F series and very tough in my opinion.

 

[WestWittering]

Hmmmm looks like it is Compass Marine then - their Polyform F series do seem the toughest and they are the best price for those by a country mile. But it does pay to shop around - there are some horrendous prices out there and they can vary by up to 50%. Also, their website has some good advice on there, so they were one of the 'favoured suppliers'.

TBH I didn't think about fatter at the ends and thinner in the middle, so that is a great tip. I have a massive used bouy collection in the garden, courtesy of beach combing after a storm, but sadly no nice navy blue fenders in size F2!!
(Although I have got a couple of nice rafting type fenders )

Thanks for your help all.

Di

 

[maby]

Make 'em as fat as you can, consistent with being able to store them. I think you want at least three down the side that is next to the pontoon or other thing you are mooring to and, at least, one roving fender. If you are on a finger berth and reverse in, I would like to have another fat one to dangle over the stern to cushion the impact if you get the braking wrong. I guess you could use the roving fender for that, but I really don't want to have to go moving fenders around just as I'm coming in to tie up.

I have to say that we acquired most of our fenders by bin diving - remarkable what Sunseeker owners throw away!

 

[WestWittering]

I would like to have another fat one to dangle over the stern to cushion the impact if you get the braking wrong. I guess you could use the roving fender for that, but I really don't want to have to go moving fenders around just as I'm coming in to tie up.

I have to say that we acquired most of our fenders by bin diving - remarkable what Sunseeker owners throw away!

Got a lovely couple of fenders for pontoon padding at the boat jumble the other week - fabulous bargains. Just using some beachcomber rope to lash them to the pontoon. Also, Premier think we are the sailers most likely to fall in as we also share our berth with some metal ladders (or anchor traps as we call them)..

Di

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Got a lovely couple of fenders for pontoon padding at the boat jumble the other week - fabulous bargains. Just using some beachcomber rope to lash them to the pontoon. Also, Premier think we are the sailers most likely to fall in as we also share our berth with some metal ladders (or anchor traps as we call them)..

Di

Strictly speaking, minimum Brit scale of fendering;
3/4 fenders along sides, one ball(buoy) fender each side at bows, chin fender/guard if you've got a long overhang(boing, you've landed) plus two spares(cos they vanish in Cowes overnight)!

If French charter yacht in July/August, one fender(on deck) and wave boathook

 

[Sybarite]

Hello West Wittering,

I'd say go for the best fenders you can, it's not the sort of thing one changes, so you're stuck with them.

I use 3 - 4 fenders each side usually, fat cylindical jobs towards bow & stern, slightly thinner ones amidships - all within say 6 ' amidships on a 22' boat, so they keep a flat contact with a pontoon etc relative to the curve of the side.

I do the opposite. I have the thick ones in the middle as they are the ones that take the weight; the others serve when the boat yaws a bit but there isn't much weight on these.

However I certainly wouldn't say that my way is right compared to yours.

 

[Boreades]

I'm happy with the ones we bought from Compass Marine, and it was no trouble inflating them with a bicycle pump.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

I do the opposite. I have the thick ones in the middle as they are the ones that take the weight; the others serve when the boat yaws a bit but there isn't much weight on these.

However I certainly wouldn't say that my way is right compared to yours.

+1 on that- if you dry out alongside the Wooton or Ashlett Creek pontoons, and lean inwards, you are glad of the 'extra girth' at the middle keeping you orf!

 

[boaterbaz]

A couple of those 40 inch diam orange fishing boat bouys work well at the pointy ends. Not to yachty but cheap and effective. Top tip for rafting. Two car tyres ala working boat style hung outside of a canvas hull saver, you hardly ever get anyone wanting to raft up!

 

[Tidewaiter2]

A couple of those 40 inch diam orange fishing boat bouys work well at the pointy ends. Not to yachty but cheap and effective. Top tip for rafting. Two car tyres ala working boat style hung outside of a canvas hull saver, you hardly ever get anyone wanting to raft up!

Nuffin Personal, Guv, but I've never turned anyone away from rafting on us, unless it wasn't like to like in length, size, weight, scantlings, which causes issues. Smaller always welcome!
Worse thing inna World is Marina Queens/French who wont put out shore lines- if they have any that will reach?

Seriously Big Cheers for the big green trawler yacht on Falmouth HC p'toons, us coming back from Scilly with a wrecked forestay, who not only welcomed us(one of our better landings), but dropped their midships guardrails to make it easier to cross.
Thank You So Much, esp. as it was a F10 next day

 

[nigelmercier]

I can recommend the Polyform fenders ...

+1

 

[SailingNewYorkCity]

If in doubt (and if you can stow them) go for bigger.

If you're around a marina in a strong wind just have a look at the boats being pushed on to the pontoon. Many of the fenders will be squashed into 1/2 their normal thickness so your pride and joy will have maybe only 2 or 3 inches between it and the pontoon edge.

It's at times like that, that you'll be glad of the extra width ( and proper inflation)


(and apologies that this reference to wanting extra girth is not in the lounge!!!)

Excellent suggestions. I also suggest you determine if you are subject to rough waves. Here in Lincoln Harbour across the river from New York, it is VERY rough. It is common for people to have finders crushed to the point of destruction and a dock line or two snapped each year. This is due to there being no sea wall on the south side. The ferry, barge, etc. traffic creates large wakes and with nothing to stop them, there is damage. I get Taylor Made fenders, and the bigger ones, since they have a lifetime warranty and the larger size protects the boat. Depending upon how rough your marina is, it may be worth the extra money. Remember, buy quality, cry once. Buy cheap, cry often. Good luck.

 

[wotayottie]

Our two most useful fenders by a long way are the two big round ones.