What size fenders?

ian38_39

ian38_39

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Is there a formula for working out fender sizes?

our new to us Sealine F43 has a number of different size fenders around, storage for fenders is a bit restricted so I do not want to adopt a bigger is better policy but at the same time obviously want the fenders to protect.

Sitting in the office I have decided that new fenders, all the same size would be good but I didn't measure what we had on board, does anyone know the best size fenders for an F43?
 
13 or 14 inch car tyres tied to the hand railing are the size you would be looking for with a vessel of that size..
Obviously any bigger would be heavy and oversized.
 
ian38_39 said:
Is there a formula for working out fender sizes?

our new to us Sealine F43 has a number of different size fenders around, storage for fenders is a bit restricted so I do not want to adopt a bigger is better policy but at the same time obviously want the fenders to protect.

Sitting in the office I have decided that new fenders, all the same size would be good but I didn't measure what we had on board, does anyone know the best size fenders for an F43?
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One of the downside of the boat is fender storage. I have just 4 large fenders, (and take 2 more when teaching). An F43 needs only 2 fenders for coming alongside. What purpose is a 3rd fender when you have a flat sided boat along a straight pontoon? A 3rd is handy if you need to spring off. Sometimes one is handy on the stern.

Thay are quite large though, I think they are F6's. But 4 is enough.
 
Elessar said:
What purpose is a 3rd fender when you have a flat sided boat along a straight pontoon?
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2 reasons really. Maybe your crew hasn't been as diligent as they should have been about correctly adjusting the height of the fenders (have you tried arguing with your SWMBO over that?:eek:) and secondly, sometimes you get a fender or two riding up over the pontoon as you touch it. 4 or 5 fenders sounds about right to me for a 43 footer but maybe I'm being overcautious
 
We use four F5s and one A2 (on the rear corner) on each side of a SS Portofino 53 for mostly stern-to-mooring in a tight berth in SoF.

Polyform recommend F6 and A3 for this size of boat but this is overkill IMHO. The smaller sizes are fine if you're prepared to adjust the height when needed and are much easier to store. My advice - look at the Polyform or M2M websites and either go with their recommendation or move down by one size.

For berthing alongside a pontoon, maybe two or three fenders each side would be OK, but for med-style mooring more is better. It can be a bit like the dodgems at times and fenders are cheaper than repairing scuffs in the gel coat.
 
Deleted User said:
2 reasons really. Maybe your crew hasn't been as diligent as they should have been about correctly adjusting the height of the fenders (have you tried arguing with your SWMBO over that?:eek:) and secondly, sometimes you get a fender or two riding up over the pontoon as you touch it. 4 or 5 fenders sounds about right to me for a 43 footer but maybe I'm being overcautious
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Easier to get 2 adjusted than 5. I only ever use 2 against a pontoon or wall.
 
Hi Ian
Knowing your boating area fairly well, we were always happy to have a couple of large round fenders, great for when mooring up to uneven steel and wooden piling, saves getting the boards out, and for other boats to bounce of :) we still use them at our present moorings, as boat,s often get a clout when people try to enter our marina on the ebb .down side is storing them, we also have a couple of long fenders and they are very useful,
Congratulations on the new boat, and well done re the purchase being abroad .
Merlyn
 
I have a 49ft boat18 ton.

I carry 6 of F3 fenders9 in by 8.2 inch , 2 of A2 ball and one of A3 Ball balls for stern quarters and one forward where the bow cuts away fro the straight line.

I use fender socks, a new set every season as they get a hammering in the winter.

Is it just me, I am having all sorts of problems with the new forum system missing out many letters, spaces or punctuation I have definitely typed?
 
Thanks all,
Think I will have a measure of the holes in the anchor locker to make sure whatever I buy fits in there. F5 is what I had in my head. Can see the logic in the 2 fender call but tides and sides vary a lot on the Broads so high and low are often needed, will probably mena 4 a side.
I am also thinking 14mm mooring warps. Recommended is 16mm but this is too big for SWMBO hands and a bit big for the cleats.
 
Can't remember what size ours are Ian but they are quite large and I would recommend them on forty foot + boat. We carry six and always use three on the side we are mooring, sometimes four if things are a bit tricky. Wouldn't carry less and a couple more would be handy when cruising. Elsessar is right about a straight sided boat but I prefer a bit of extra protection when coming alongside and leaving a berth to cater for the unexpected.

On mooring lines my advice would be don't make a decision for the wrong reasons. Sure, the ability of crew to handle them is a factor but that being the case I would suggest a couple of lighter lines for getting you alongside with proper sized lines available to take their place.
 
Last edited:
ian38_39 said:
Thanks all,
Think I will have a measure of the holes in the anchor locker to make sure whatever I buy fits in there. F5 is what I had in my head. Can see the logic in the 2 fender call but tides and sides vary a lot on the Broads so high and low are often needed, will probably mena 4 a side.
I am also thinking 14mm mooring warps. Recommended is 16mm but this is too big for SWMBO hands and a bit big for the cleats.
Click to expand...

I would have a set of 16mm as well for use if conditions are not good and use 14mm any other time.
 
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