Cheap Fenders ... and I Knew Better

[Scott T-Bird]

The best solution is to tie the boat off the dock so you don't have to rely on fenders. That requires tie offs at all 4 corners with spring lines and I suppose that is not always available. I only hang fenders between my boat and the neighbors boat who is most likely to blow into my boat, but generally it is not necessary. Our fenders are tucked into a locker almost all the time. They are dirty and seemingly impossible to clean. The only reason I don't buy new ones is because the expense doesn't seem to be warranted since they are only rarely deployed.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

BTW, I kind of like the options that your Amazon product provides! Any idea where they are made? (I suppose the price may be increasing soon?)

 

[colemj]

If we tied our boat so that it didn't need fenders, and I was confident of this in all weather, then we wouldn't be able to get on/off of it without peril.

And we have a catamaran with large, long sugar scoop steps with no barrier to accessing them.

Mark

 

[Stu Jackson]

I've had the same Taylor fenders for twenty years. There is no goo or gunk on any of them. I learned from a dock handyman in Alameda, California: clean them with Brush & Roller Cleaner. Not acetone. Works great, easier than acetone, too, less rubbing.

 

[Daveinet]

The best solution is to tie the boat off the dock so you don't have to rely on fenders. That requires tie offs at all 4 corners with spring lines and I suppose that is not always available.

Somehow that really upsets the folk at the parallel launch ramp...

 

[fred1diver]

Sun tells us a wonderful fabric, but for covers, it won’t last, Sun tells has one major drawback, it cannot stand chafing

 

[rgranger]

The most durable long lasting fenders on the cheap are old tires.

dj

but they will leave marks

 

[dLj]

but they will leave marks

Not if you cover them.

dj