To sock or not sock

Elza_Skip

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Polishing the navy blue hull on my boat at the weekend you can see evidence of fender rash

My surveyor had suggested fender socks, however on the Thames I have avoided them feeling the tendency of them to hold grit would be worse than leaving the leaving them naked.

What is the Forum opinion?
 
Fender socks are great until they get grit ridden, then you have to wash them out. I'd rather just keep dunking my fenders to keep them clean. Oh and avoid shiny navy blue hulls as well:)
 
Polishing the navy blue hull on my boat at the weekend you can see evidence of fender rash

My surveyor had suggested fender socks, however on the Thames I have avoided them feeling the tendency of them to hold grit would be worse than leaving the leaving them naked.

What is the Forum opinion?

Have gone back to naked fenders after trying fender socks. The socks picked up a large amount of grit and dirt from locks and bankside moorings. Caused more problems than they solved. However would try them again but not on a river.
 
I concur. Historic forum posts over the last eight years say 'No' to fender socks.

However, a sticky clear film behind the fenders would protect your foolishly chosen Hull colouring :encouragement: :p
 
Fender socks are good for keeping your fenders in nice condition.
Like other I have tried them and prefer bare fenders.
 
Thanks folks

I am tempted to have 4 with socks for the marina then use naked ones in the river- May seem OTT but hopefully the best of both worlds

Just another thing to store though

BTW the blue hull does look good!
 
No from me also.

The work of the devil. Specifically designed to pick grit up and scratch the gel coat.

Unfortunately with a blue hull you will always notice the fender marks more then on a white hull.
 
"I am tempted to have 4 with socks for the marina then use naked ones in the river- May seem OTT but hopefully the best of both worlds"

My view as well.
 
Hi I think the socks for the marina and non socks for the river would work. I use a piece of pvc tarpaulin along the side which i keep in place with bungies, works well.
 
Mine is on order, it's pathetically cheap, like £1.50 for a 20cmx100cm strip. I ordered 3M That'll be enough to last quite a long time, allowing for replacement each season!!
 
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