Stopping Fenders Squeaking??

[Richard10002]

Stern to the berth, mediterranean style, the fenders between me and the adjacent boats are squeaking like mad on our hulls.

Is there a way of stopping/reducing the squeaking?

My fender sox have been ripped and destroyed by the constant rubbing, so I dont really want to throw money in this direction.

I'm thinking of a canvas sheet under the fenders, but dont want to spend the money until I know it works.

If this is the way to go, how do you stop the sheet riding up.

 

[Gunfleet]

washing up liquid

 

[michael_w]

Washing up liquid can help squeaky fender induced insomnia. Fender cloths don't ride up.

 

[Juggler7823]

Fender socks are the simple answer but are very expensive. We use large diameter round fender buoys for which fender socks are not available. After a of disturbed sleep, my wife went a charity shop in Falmouth and bought 2 childrens polo shirts for 50p. They fitted perfectly and were successful in reducing squeaking. Somebody took photos in Padstow and they were published on p158 of Novembers PBO

 

[Sans Bateau]

I'd like to know which brand you use, 'cos I've never been able to get that to work.

What I find is the biggest cause of the creaking noise one gets is from ropes more than fenders, The permanent stern warp on its cleat on our boat can be so annoying! Also check where a warp is in contact with the coamings. The warp rubbing on the gel coat or a rubbing strip can be a source of noise.

 

[Gunfleet]

I use whichever is on the boat. It stops the high pitched squeaky noise. If the creaking of warps bothers you I bet halyard slap drives you mad. Taking up golf might be the best solution, in those circumstances. Seriously, I find all those boat noises, apart from the high pitched squeaking of fenders very relaxing.

 

[ADLS]

Instead of expensive fender socks buy a roll of scrimm, its made as a tube so is ideal to use as a sock.

Washing up liquide is great to stop ropes and fender squeak, but also make sure your ropes aernt too tight and that each one hitched or tied off. With med moorings I always like to have a line at an angle to the stern pulling me off the next boat, stage or pole so that I'm bobbing about by myself.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Halyard slap, on other boats, will not keep me awake, but it still annoyes me for different reasons. I find any small noise will travel through the hull. Apart from water slapping on the hull, all other noises are fixable.

 

[geoffatstanpit]

Get round fenders. They roll rather than squeakily slide. I think the ones I have are really indended as net floats (grey) but they work just fine.

 

[Maree]

I found a big rubber snubber on the rope reduced creaking dramatically - the snubber stretches rather than the rope moving across the fairlead..

 

[captainslarty]

I must confess we went through the same hoops, now, after living aboard for over three years we dont notice the noises at all, only when they are absent !.
You can get used to it, but it does take time. One tip, if it is possible, is to tie on the downwind side of the pontoon, tis better to be blown off then on.

 

[Anonymous]

Richard, loads of good ideas there but maybe you could also address the root cause? Sounds as though you are a bit too tightly packed and/or are in an exposed position. We have spent two winters in Almerimar (Darcena 3) and this will be our third. We seldom have any fender noise and our Plastimo DIY fender socks last over 18 months. We are in a fairly sheltered spot and we are not unduly tightly packed.

 

[Adamastor]

Has anyone tried dashboard silicone for squee-eeeking mooring warps? I've used that as well as non-stick cooking spray to good effect, and also a proprietary mould-release liquid (no commercials). Teepol's my favourite dishwasher/deckwash/antisqueak- our green-coloured brand has citric acid in it, as well as yellow dye that can colour f/glass.