For marinas with sharp low docks (like Galveston) I am trying foam noodles on long long rope, from front tow hook 2 ft from water to rear corners. SEE PICS. I tried a few rope paths (see pics) including real low, to see what is possible given hull curves and where rope would stay, and went with medium height. A 2nd even higher could be added. Bigger noodles would be better. Can pull this up when sailing. I wish someone sold cushiony rope. I used 6 46 inch noodles, rope is over 20 ft. Overall it seems to work and is better since it sorta replaces 5 vertical bumpers with a single classy 1. D
H260 long foam noodle bumper/fender, fm front to back, anyone else tried
- Thread starter Davenport
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,589
Interesting idea. Please share what it is you are protecting against.
Most hulls are widest at their deck level. If you have boats entering the slip next to you then it would likely be more protective of your topside to hang several fenders (4-5) long vertical with larger diameter to the bow and stern and 2-3, equally spaced near to the middle of your boats widest point, that are slightly smaller diameter. That way you protect the whole side of your boat with a cushion of 5-7 inches. Also hanging them within 5 inches of the water provides coverage even for the low slung speed boats.
Pool noodles really do not handle UV exposure well.
Most hulls are widest at their deck level. If you have boats entering the slip next to you then it would likely be more protective of your topside to hang several fenders (4-5) long vertical with larger diameter to the bow and stern and 2-3, equally spaced near to the middle of your boats widest point, that are slightly smaller diameter. That way you protect the whole side of your boat with a cushion of 5-7 inches. Also hanging them within 5 inches of the water provides coverage even for the low slung speed boats.
Pool noodles really do not handle UV exposure well.
Yeah! Great idea. Sort of modern take on fender boards.
I'm imagining the noodle won't hold up very long in a storm with constant chafe. Maybe you could get some old fire hose material and stitch it to the outside of the noodle.
There is a similar comercial product but it is $pendy
I'm imagining the noodle won't hold up very long in a storm with constant chafe. Maybe you could get some old fire hose material and stitch it to the outside of the noodle.
There is a similar comercial product but it is $pendy
A gust of wind can push boat into cement nonfloating dock, can't reduce all risk. It's why even good drivers use seatbelts. For the maybe quarter of people with nonfloating docks at high water levels a bumper hanging 1.5 feet off the edge doesn't cover the bottom 1.5 foot, this quarter at very high tides have nothing there and it's scary coming in at high water. Experiments are helpful. And now know it's possible given the ok rope curve GIANT foam noodles could be found for sale somewhere in the big world. Cheap rope and $1/ft foam noodle means 20 ft is $20, so seems cheaper than $500 20x3 giant inflatable, 25x cheaper. I used the thickest rope possible, so rope adds to cushion. What is the thickest spongiest rope for sale in world? Hmmmm, could even loosen rope and drop rope into water to float, which might help even when darn cement dock is submerged an inch. Floating docks are awesome, but not all have em. Happy summer!
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Never put fenders horizontally. They can roll up the sides and pop out. I imagine the same goes for a horizontal noodle
I once had a 19' boat in a 30' slip. I tied a line from one side to the forward center and same for the other side. In otherwords, it formed a V. What this allowed me to do is motor in, leave the motor in gear and have the lines keep it there. It also helped when I came in hot once or twice. I had ablative bottom paint and the line did smear it a bit. A pool noodle over that line wouldve helped
I once had a 19' boat in a 30' slip. I tied a line from one side to the forward center and same for the other side. In otherwords, it formed a V. What this allowed me to do is motor in, leave the motor in gear and have the lines keep it there. It also helped when I came in hot once or twice. I had ablative bottom paint and the line did smear it a bit. A pool noodle over that line wouldve helped
eyeballing it, and wow the h260 sides are fairly perpendicular so bumpers can be low and still be nicely far from centerline. for other boats a low bumper would be less helpful
I use my bumpers the 1 minute I come into the dock slip and the wind is pushing the boat all around, after this 1 minute I have my ropes tight and boat is safe. so I don't need the bumper to be tough. I also use the bumpers when my old old motor dies halfway out the marina and I am gonna scrape a bit as I curse and try to manage.
