Fenders. The bigger the better when you're at the dock. But underway, they're a big pain in the backside. Where you stow yours while underway?
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Fender storage
On my last boat, a C-30, I stored fenders in the large port cockpit lazarette. On my new C-36 I plan on stowing them in one of the deep, but smaller aft lazarettes. However, during my planned cruise down the ICW this fall, storage space will be at a premium. I'll be interested in hearing other captains solutions.
On my last boat, a C-30, I stored fenders in the large port cockpit lazarette. On my new C-36 I plan on stowing them in one of the deep, but smaller aft lazarettes. However, during my planned cruise down the ICW this fall, storage space will be at a premium. I'll be interested in hearing other captains solutions.
Leave 'em
Mine are tied to my lifeline at the dock but I take 'em off & leave 'em when I go out. I have two smaller ones that are on board if I decide to dock somewhere. Luckily I'm in an extremely small moorage where I have no fears of losing my fenders to theft. I suppose if you're heading off for a weeklong cruise & space is limited, you could deflate them & pump them back up again when needed with a small bike pump. You could also create some of those nifty fender boards those DIY columns show. They'd be very compact, taking up practically no space & would do the job. NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your fenders hanging when you head out. There's nothing that says "boat nerd" more than that!
LaDonna
Mine are tied to my lifeline at the dock but I take 'em off & leave 'em when I go out. I have two smaller ones that are on board if I decide to dock somewhere. Luckily I'm in an extremely small moorage where I have no fears of losing my fenders to theft. I suppose if you're heading off for a weeklong cruise & space is limited, you could deflate them & pump them back up again when needed with a small bike pump. You could also create some of those nifty fender boards those DIY columns show. They'd be very compact, taking up practically no space & would do the job. NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your fenders hanging when you head out. There's nothing that says "boat nerd" more than that!
LaDonnafender stowing
Fender storage varies for me. On an active day on San Francisco Bay I normally raise them on deck (horizonally) keep them attached and leave them there, which seems to work fine. To improve that method, I could attach the untied end with an "S" hook and never have to worry. The down side to this location is with 35 MPH winds we sometimes tack quickly and it does leave something for the lines to fowl on. My other and more favorable place is to tie them to the stern rail and hang them low and to the side of the transom. The down side was they were not as quick to deploy as being on deck. My 36 that I just sold was a 1986 with a closed transom, my new 380 has an open transom. I am sure that I'll still be using BOTH of these storing methods...For me, leaving them at the dock would not be wise. It would eliminate rafting up, docking etc...Good luck
Fender storage varies for me. On an active day on San Francisco Bay I normally raise them on deck (horizonally) keep them attached and leave them there, which seems to work fine. To improve that method, I could attach the untied end with an "S" hook and never have to worry. The down side to this location is with 35 MPH winds we sometimes tack quickly and it does leave something for the lines to fowl on. My other and more favorable place is to tie them to the stern rail and hang them low and to the side of the transom. The down side was they were not as quick to deploy as being on deck. My 36 that I just sold was a 1986 with a closed transom, my new 380 has an open transom. I am sure that I'll still be using BOTH of these storing methods...For me, leaving them at the dock would not be wise. It would eliminate rafting up, docking etc...Good luck
MAN OVERBOARD !!!
If your on the bow...how far back is the horseshoe. Or if your in a race and someone gets too close where is the fender...Stow fenders on deck!
If your on the bow...how far back is the horseshoe. Or if your in a race and someone gets too close where is the fender...Stow fenders on deck!
Where to Stow Fenders??
I have a Catalina 34, we are frequent over night cruisers, not racers, and carry 4 large fenders for visitng other Puget Sound ports of call. To accomdate carrying four large fenders and not using up storage space, I have installed a collapsable fender carrier {as used on motor cruisers, persish the thought!} on the outboard sides of both the port and starboard sides of the stern rail. Each carrier accomodates two fenders. The fenders are immediately available, it saves space, and looks sharp
I have a Catalina 34, we are frequent over night cruisers, not racers, and carry 4 large fenders for visitng other Puget Sound ports of call. To accomdate carrying four large fenders and not using up storage space, I have installed a collapsable fender carrier {as used on motor cruisers, persish the thought!} on the outboard sides of both the port and starboard sides of the stern rail. Each carrier accomodates two fenders. The fenders are immediately available, it saves space, and looks sharp
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 4/24/00: Where do you stow fenders while underway? 65% Locker (114) 22% Side decks (39) 5% Other (10) 7% Off stern rail (7)
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 4/24/00: Where do you stow fenders while underway? 65% Locker (114) 22% Side decks (39) 5% Other (10) 7% Off stern rail (7)
Fender Storage
I store the fenders in the Port Locker under the cockpit seat which has had a system of rails and boxes on sliders installed to maximize the space.
I store the fenders in the Port Locker under the cockpit seat which has had a system of rails and boxes on sliders installed to maximize the space.
Stowing Fenders
My favorite answer applies here: It depends. It depends on who's with me. If I'm single handing or with a buddy, the fenders get tossed below in the Galley. If my wife or kids are with me, they get stowed neatly in the port lazarette.
My favorite answer applies here: It depends. It depends on who's with me. If I'm single handing or with a buddy, the fenders get tossed below in the Galley. If my wife or kids are with me, they get stowed neatly in the port lazarette.
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