How Many Boat Fenders Do I Need

Extreme Max 30067204 Boattector Fender

This vessel bumper comes as a set and it already consist of 2 fender lines and 2 bumpers. This is made with a sturdy rubber needle valve that is meant for deflation and inflation purposes. In the same way, it is furnished with eyelets that boost the strength of the fender and extend its lifespan.

You can utilize this all summer long without any serious problems for you to deal with. It is significant to note that this has been proven to be reliable in terms of providing the required protection on wavy and windy days. Also, it can be instantly affixed and is capable of holding up quite well. And, since it comes with a slightly larger size, this wont be easily knocked against the dock regardless of the condition or elements in your surroundings.

Basically, these fenders execute an exceptional job they are well-designed and already contain top quality ropes once bought. The selling price is a little high, but considering its stunning and practical features, it is actually an economical cost in the long run.

• Not capable of holding air
• Comes with unpleasant color

Do Boat Fenders Float

Yes, boat fenders are designed to float. If you accidentally drop one overboard you shouldnt have any issues retrieving it as it wont sink.

Boat fenders arent good to use for keeping someone afloat in the water as they can be difficult to hold on to. For keeping someone in the water afloat a life preserver is the far better option.

The most common boat fender is the inflatable type. Some ship from the manufacture already inflated while others come uninflated and you have to inflate them yourself. Since they are filled with air they wont sink like your anchor will.

Taylor Made Products 31006 Low Freeboard Boat Fender

Made of heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl and boasting an L-shaped form, our next model from Taylor Made was specifically designed to meet the demands of small vessels such as bass boats, bay boats, and other low freeboard boats.

Due to its unconventional design, the Low Freeboard Boat Fender provides excellent protection for both the gunwales and rub rails. Also, because they conform to the boats body, they will stay securely in place and wont shift around, unlike traditional cylindrical bumpers.45

Where to buy:

• Its design protects both the gunwales and rub rails
• Stays in place

What we dont like:

• Nothing!

They can be tied over the cleats to position them higher on the boat and can be easily inflated through a rubber football needle valve.

Available in two sizes and four metallic colorsexcept for the white onethe Low Freeboard Boat Fender is both beautiful and robust while also offering excellent protection against the docks.

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How Boat Length Dictates Fender Size & Position

If you decide to choose cylindrical fenders, and these are very popular although not my preferred choice for a pontoon boat, then heres a rule of thumb guide.

Rule of Thumb: A cylindrical fender should have 1 inch of diameter for every 4 to 5 foot of boat length. If its a round fender, then that diameter should instead be 2 inches.

As a real-world example, a 20-foot pontoon boat would need a fender with at least 4 to 5 inches of girth.

If using cylindrical or round fenders on your pontoon here are some rough guidelines to bumper size based on how long your boat is.

Common sense should also be a factor here.

For example, lets say you have a really heavy pontoon or you are going to be docking in harsh conditions such as an open lake prone to high winds, then you should choose larger fenders.

How Many Fenders Should I Get

A boat can never have enough fenders. But you will need to consider the space for these accessories. Not to mention the boats overall aesthetic, since it cannot look like a massive chunk of fenders while on board.

The rule of thumb on the number of fenders is that for every 10-meter vessel, it should at least have two fenders on each side. For boats over 10 meters in length, having 3-4 fenders per side would be sufficient.

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What Fenders Should You Buy

Ive spoken a lot about cylindrical fenders in this sizing guide, but in reality, you should choose specialist pontoon fenders which have been made for the specifics that a pontoon design has.

The best option by far are the Taylor Made pontoon fenders, and you can read more about them in my larger guide to pontoon fenders.

If you want to go buy them now, then take a look on Amazon as they have them in stock right now and tend to have very good prices compared your local marine store.

They have grooves and loops for securing them top and bottom to your pontoon.

They then wedge very neatly between the deck and the log, and work great, rather than having cylindrical fenders hanging down off the boat which can look very ugly.

You then get a nice and tight fit which will protect your pontoon whilst in dock. The straps ensure that it stays on tight and wont kick back and forth along the side of the pontoon like other standard fenders might do.

Heres a great video that shows just how simple they are to install.

Vivohome Vinyl Ribbed Marine Boat Fender

Suitable for boats, yachts, sailboats, rowboats, and docks, this fender kit from VIVOHOME comes with four boat fendersavailable in the 6.5 x 24 in., and 8.5 x 27 in. sizesfour 5.2 ropes, four inflating needles, as well as a hand pump to inflate your bumpers.

This set of fenders boasts an oval design, a heavy-duty marine-grade UV-resistant PVC construction, reinforced eyelets on both endsso you can safely hang them either vertically or horizontallyas well as vertical ribs for added strength.

Where to buy:

• Solid construction-PVC is more durable than vinyl
• Easy to inflate

What we dont like:

• Couldnt find anything!

They also feature a great buffer effect, which will protect your vessel from damage caused by heavy collisions between hard surfaces.

As previously mentioned, this kit comes with everything you need to easily inflate and install them. And even after a couple of weeks, there have been no issues with deflation whatsoever. Theyre also very compact for convenient storage.

The VIVOHOME Vinyl Ribbed Marine Boat Fenders are available in four colorsblue, white, red, and blackand they fit boats from 19 to 29ft.

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Extreme Max 30067225 Boattector

If you want a fender that can work quite well on the river, then this can be the perfect partner for you. It is comparatively narrow that makes it considerably effortless to board and get off the vessel than the conventional 10 inch boat fenders. Theres not just sufficient impact absorption for heavier and bigger boats. Indeed, it is not difficult to store as compared to other versions.

This is also utilized against a floating dock. You can easily tie it off to cleats on the vessels cleats and from there it can start executing a nice job of keeping the vessel from banging up against the berth. It is possible to fold and bend on the gunnel as compared to rubber fenders and most importantly, this is reliable for trailering boats as well.

• Sturdy and resistant to corrosion

• Theres possibility for the wind to get under them and blow the fenders back into the vessel
• Quite lightweight

Taylor Made Products Low Freeboard Boat Fender

If you would like to buy a boat fender that is quite excellent at safeguarding the sides and top of your vessel, then this could satisfy your needs and preferences. The walls are thick and the bumper could actually be squeezed hard and youll be surprised that it could still hold up quite properly. Its unique curved design is not merely for aesthetic purposes since this is meant to save the vessel from gouges and scratches that emerge if the water is choppy.

Withal, this product is constructed to safeguard the top of the edges of the vessel and is known to be adept at staying in place. It cannot be denied that this is highly practical for the types of vessels that sit low in the water.

• Molded to better shield the rub rail and gunwales
• Built with low freeboard fender that holds it in excellent position and thwarts it from rolling out of place
• Can be instantly tied over the cleat to place it higher on the vessel that offers protection wherever required
• Constructed with uniquely formulated solid marine grade vinyl
• Capable of providing maximum shield than conventional bumpers against high docks

• Not straightforward to set up
• Does not ship globally

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Which Boat Fender For Which Boat The Various Types Of Fenders

As previously described, the issue of limited storage space on one hand, and the high need for protection on the other hand, creates a tough compromise regarding your choice of fenders. This issue can however, be mitigated through the proper selection of fenders. The standard types of fenders are the typical ball and long fenders. You should pay close attention to the fact that you should buy fenders, which are the same size and design because you need to distribute pressure equally amongst your fenders, as mixing sizes can place unequal pressure on your equipment. The size of the fenders should be based primarily on the length and weight of the boat, as well as the height of the hull above water. The greater the size of the boat, the more affect wind and waves will have against its hull, meaning more protection will need to be given to the hull. A high freeboard can call for a much larger fender than a boat of similar weight and length, but with a low freeboard.

The Long Fender

The Ball Fender

We recommend the quality long and ball fenders from Seatec. Seatec fenders are manufactured here in Europe and are subjected to very high quality controls, while still being offered at excellent prices. We are even able to offer these products in a wide range of colors and sizes as well.

Why Painting Is Not A Good Idea

Boat fenders are usually made out of a certain type of rubber. There are other plastic fenders, but they are not nearly as popular in the recreational world. Probably because they are hard on the boats gel coat or paint!

Being that they are made out of rubber and placed between the boat. They are constantly being pressed against, making them expand and contract.

Painting the fenders may look good when it is first done, but it wont take long to wear that paint off! The constant stress of the boat will make the paint chip and fall off.

No matter how well you cleaned and scuffed the fender before painting it! There is just not a good paint that will be able to stick to the fender and withstand the movement that the fender will go through.

Another reason why it is not a good idea to paint them is the hull of your boat! The paint can be pressed against the gel coat or paint on the boats hull. Leaving all kinds of marks and possibly even paint color!

We all know how bad a fender can look after it gets that dirty mold look to it. And no one would mind changing the color of the fender to make it match the boat.

The best way that most people change the color of their fenders is to buy fender covers.

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How Many Fenders Should I Have On Board

You can never have enough fenders on board. But as space is limited on any boat, the question becomes more critical – do I have the right number of fenders on board? For boats up to 10 meters in length, a general rule of thumb is to have two fenders for each side, with one or two replacement fenders at your disposal. On boats over 10 meters, you will be best served by having 3-4 fenders per side, with one or two replacement fenders as well. The side fenders should be in place for docking, but you may find yourself needing the spare fenders to help offset a rolling swell or strong breeze pinning you to the dock or sea wall. Here too, having more than one shape or type of fender will come in handy during many situations.

How To Set Up A Fender Board

A fender board over two fenders is the best way to prevent them from slipping between the pilings and allowing your topsides to rub against the dock. A pair of cylindrical fenders placed vertically behind a two-by-four is as basic as it gets. The fenders protect the hull and the two-by-four takes the beating from the pilings.

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What Is A Boat Fender And When Is It Used

A boat fender is an inflatable protective body that prevents scratches and other damage to the hull of a boat while manoeuvring through the marina and when moored to the sheet piling or during boat to boat contact. Fenders are available in different sizes and shapes depending on the size of the boat.

Choosing The Best Yacht Fender For The Job

When selecting fenders for a superyacht, you must first consider the type, size, draft, weight and displacement of the yacht, as well as the available space and fixtures for hanging and storing fenders aboard.

You may also need to consider the crews ability in safely moving and deploying fenders on board, and more about the typical currents, tidal action and docking facilities where the boat is usually berthed. The outcome of these factors combined will ultimately affect the type of fender or fenders selected to protect the boat.

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Where Can I Purchase Boat Fenders

There are a number of places where you can buy boat fenders from, but a few options stand out. These are West Marine, a US-based boating supply company with over 300 retail outlets in North America, Canada, and Puerto Rico alone, and Overtons, watersports, marine electronics, and boating accessories superstore in the US.

Online, brand name boat fenders can be bought straight off of , eBay, and even Walmart, so you can purchase from anywhere in the world and get it shipped to you.

Remember, you can never have too many boat fenders. Bigger fenders are generally better at keeping your hull intact, but its good to have a mix of big and small as well as round and cylindrical fenders to cover multiple purposes and situations.

The Size Of The Boat And The Fender:

The rule of thumb for the boat fenders is that its diameter has to be at least 1 inch for every 5 feet of the boat. For the bigger boats, you will require bigger fenders. Like, for a 20 feet longboat, you will need to buy four fenders in total.

As the fenders specifications vary, you will have to be careful before buying one. For example, the rule thumb of a one-inch diameter of the fender is suitable mostly for the cylindrical fenders. If you go for the spherical or others or round fenders or transom fenders, you will have to have a two-inch diameter for the boats same specification.

Another crucial factor affecting the fenders size is the boats specification, design, boat length, functioning, etc. It also depends on the condition of the boat, boat weight, docking area, etc.

The boat fenders with a larger diameter provide better width in length and extra security to keep your boat safe and secured from any unintentional dents, scratches, etc.

Size of Fenders Based on Various Types and Boat Size

Video Credit West Marine

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What Style Do You Prefer

Round fenders are popular for larger powerboats with concave bows and larger commercial vessels . Orange round fenders are also used as low-tech mooring buoys.

Two eye cylindrical fenders have a molded-in fairlead or tab at each end. Tie a line to one end only and hang the fender vertically or tie both ends for horizontal deployment.

Transom mounted fenders protect a boats transom or swim step when docking stern-to in a marina.

Rafting Cushions are designed for rafting boats together, and can be tied to pilings using the two rows of center holes. Large surface area, six independent molded tubes, versatile mounting options, and they wont roll or ride up.

Low freeboard fenders sit high on the hull and hang inward over the gunwale. The smaller size protects boats that sit low in the water, like bass, fishing and ski boats. The larger size prevents bigger boats from riding up under high docks when the tide rises.

Tuff End fenders: rugged large diameter heavy-duty fender with good protection for flared, deep-V hulls. Theyre popular for large boats and commercial applications. Trivalve can be inflated easily with any kind of pump.

V-shaped Freedom Fenders with a self-centering shape will stay on a piling regardless of boat movement. Theyre sized for everything from small boats to mega yachts.

Attach our fender rack to a stanchion.

What Size Fender Do I Need For My Boat And Other Fender Facts

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A fender is a padded or inflatable cushion, which stops a boat from bumping into another boat, or a mooring or a dock, or anything else.

They work by absorbing shock on impact, which prevents the hull from being damaged. Heres what else you should know.

There are different kinds of fenders

There are many different kinds of fenders, so weve listed some of the more popular ones:

• Cylindrical fender these tend to have an eye on both ends . It hangs down vertically, with a rope, which is secured by a bowline knot through one of the eyes .
• Round fender a soft vinyl fender often used on larger boats that have flared bows, and where the dock is a great distance away. Fishing boats and other commercial vessels often use them.
• Centre rope cylindrical fender this fender can hang down vertically or it can be positioned horizontally. It has a hole in the centre, which is threaded through with a rope.
• Flat fenders are foam buffers typically used on smaller vessels. Simply secure the flat fender to the gunwales, and it will protect your boat from impact.

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