Fender Covers

C

chicagodave

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Jun 3, 2004
37
Beneteau 423 Chicago
After scrubbing my fenders for three hours yesterday, I decided to look into covers for the fenders. I noticed that there were numerous choices:
fleece, nylon, etc. Does anyone know the pros and cons and have a recommendation?

Also, not to be too anal, which is the top? (the valve or not)
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,055
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
I leave the valve on the bottom, catches less / no dirt.

Three hours? How many fenders do you have? :)

Paint brush & roller cleaner is the easiest to use. I used to use commercial products (a rip off) and acetone (more work, lots of scrubbing). Paint brush cleaner liberally applied on an old towel works easily and quickly. I did six 6x23 fenders last week in under an hour without hurrying.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
I buy my fenders black.
 
Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,281
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Stu Jackson said:
Paint brush & roller cleaner is the easiest to use.
Click to expand
Hi Stu,

How long have you been using Paint brush & roller cleaner on your fenders and have you noticed any degradation due to the chemicals ? ? ?

Any particular brand of brush and roller cleaner as they're probabaly all different ?
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Sailrite has a kit that comes with very durable fabric and they can easily be sewn together even with basic sewing skills. The material is a little tougher than fleece but after more than 4 years of near constant year round use they have not scratched our gel coat.

http://www.sailrite.com/Boat-Blanket-Fender-Protection-Kit



image-3670619761.jpg
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,055
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
paint brush & roller cleaner

Ralph Johnstone said:
Hi Stu,

How long have you been using Paint brush & roller cleaner on your fenders and have you noticed any degradation due to the chemicals ? ? ?

Any particular brand of brush and roller cleaner as they're probabaly all different ?
Click to expand
About four years now, used to use acetone.

NO degradation at all, in fact, they stay shinier longer.

ACE stopped making their own brand, I figure all "paint brush & roller cleaner" cans at a hardware store are all the same. Not thinner, not anything else, just that phrase.

I learned the trick from a dockmate of ours when I saw how easily it was working for him. He was so happy with it, he was doing his neighbor's old ratty fenders so he wouldn't have to look at 'em! :)
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,462
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
how do you spell no-brainier"?

Fleece comes in a variety of colors and patterns not available in nylon. Instead of rubbing, fleece polishes. Never need cleaning. Also, depending on size, they make comfortable pillows on deck.
 
I

Indianabob

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May 8, 2013
27
Hunter 240 Indianapolis
I've never tried paint and roller cleaner but have used MEK successfully for years. I've taken really black fenders that people have discarded because they looked terrible and in a about 10 minutes, they looked like new. I've only tried this on Taylor fenders. I'm not sure if other brands would respond similarly.
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
I use Cape Hatteras. The covers are nice, not expensive, they embroider your boat name if desired, and the fender covers cover both ends optionally. Also the staff are really helpful. The covers are made of a marine carpet-like fabric. Check their website for details.

Truth is, I didn't get the covers because I'm a perfectionist, I got them because I'm lazy. Never have to clean those obnoxious things again.
I have them on 2 large fenders (pic). Under those seemingly stunning fenders are the most hideous dogs ever.
 

Attachments

Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Skipper said:
I use Cape Hatteras. The covers are nice, not expensive, they embroider your boat name if desired, and the fender covers cover both ends optionally. Also the staff are really helpful. The covers are made of a marine carpet-like fabric. Check their website for details. Truth is, I didn't get the covers because I'm a perfectionist, I got them because I'm lazy. Never have to clean those obnoxious things again. I have them on 2 large fenders (pic). Under those seemingly stunning fenders are the most hideous dogs ever.
Click to expand
Yup. Same material Sailrite sells in their kits. You can dress them up a bit like I did and add Sunbrella edging.
 

Attachments

Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
Ron20324 said:
Skipper, that must be your new marina on the west coast- I notice the boat's pointing in the opposite direction:D
Click to expand
Haha.
Nope that's still Annapolis. I apparently can't update the photo on sbo using my iPhone, and all of my recent pics are on the phone. I have to get a picture to my PC tablet then update. Back burner right now, still recovering from the move.
 
Doug4bass

Doug4bass

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Jun 9, 2004
615
Catalina 385 Marquette. Mi
Second the Cape Hatteras fender covers. They are exceptional!!

Although they wont answer repeated emails to me regarding a future purchase. :( They may be out of business.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Skipper said:
I use Cape Hatteras. The covers are nice, not expensive, they embroider your boat name if desired, and the fender covers cover both ends optionally. Also the staff are really helpful. The covers are made of a marine carpet-like fabric. Check their website for details.

Truth is, I didn't get the covers because I'm a perfectionist, I got them because I'm lazy. Never have to clean those obnoxious things again.
I have them on 2 large fenders (pic). Under those seemingly stunning fenders are the most hideous dogs ever.
Click to expand

Skipper you have that boat looking mighty good
 
stephen Penny

stephen Penny

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Nov 8, 2009
537
Hunter 386LE San Fancisco
I also purchased my covers from Cape Hatteras Marine in Costa Mesa, Ca. They are very durable, low cost, quick delivery and you can personalize them with your boat's name. I would orient the fender with the valve on the bottom and purchase a removable fender cap.

http://capehatterasmarine.com
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
If you want a cheap (free) solution to your problem, take old t-shirts ready for the trash heap and use them for fender covers. I started using them last year and they work great. No more plastic goo rubbing off on the boat and the fenders stay clean under the shirts. If the t-shirts get too rotten from the elements you can replace them for about the same cost. They come in all different colors to match your fenders or boat or whatever. If your boat is in Jamaica you can use tie-dyed t-shirts for a local flair.
 
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