Association Forum - Fender size

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Fender size

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/10/2007 : 11:27:40

Since we had such agreement on the dock line size question

I figured I might as well ask what is the right size fender to use. We let all of our fenders go with the C22 we are selling. Now I need fenders for the 250. What thickness do you all recommend? Any particular model?

By the way, we use the big round bouys, three of them, in our slip so we don't actually use fenders at all there. But, when we go cruising we'll need fenders. For a permanent slip the bouys cannot be beat, not putting up and putting down fenders is a real treat.

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 02/10/2007 11:28:08

Bubba
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2007 : 17:45:10

I've been using Taylor Made HullGard fenders for several years - size 6" x 23". They have eyes on both ends so they can be hung vertically or horizontally. They have a lifetime warranty.

I also have some round fenders for rafting up - they seem to roll with the boats better. I think they're 12".

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2007 : 12:20:32

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/123732/10001/-5/0/0

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2007 : 12:25:40

A fender board also comes in handy. One of the companies which makes soft spreader tip boots used to sell fenderboard kits consisting of two well designed 'rubber' end pads and plans. The buyer would then add their own 2x4 or 2x6 lumber and 3/8" rope to fit their specific needs. I've had mine in continuous use going on 20 years. The pads, which have outlived my original lumber and lines, are still in great condition. I haven't seen these offered lately, but would like to know if they're still available somewhere.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2007 : 19:31:28

Something like [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/24520/10001/99/11207/5"]THIS [/url] Leon?

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2007 : 23:11:10

The 6 X 23 fenders work for docking and rafting but I like to have and use 2 for each side. I put three foot 3/8 lines on each fender so they can be ready. When cruising I keep the two attached on the port side but lifted up and wedged on the deck for quick use coming to an unfamiliar dock. The 2 others I tie on the open side incase someone comes along. At a real busy dock I bring out the round fender which is a bright color. Sailing with fenders hanging over the side I am told is like having your fly open.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 08:12:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sweetcraft
 Sailing with fenders hanging over the side I am told is like having your fly open.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
But if you think about it, laying them on the side decks where they're under foot going forward is like having your shoe laces untied.

Anyway, that's where my fenders stayed...

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 08:37:59

My fenders stay with the dock. I have a second set that I use away from the slip.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 11:07:40

I keep fender clips on mine, correctly set for length, and store them in the tray in the port "warehouse".

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 13:33:38

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 14:27:07

I have one fender tied to the dock that comes into play only when my boat is pulled against the dock for the proverbial cocktails onboard events. It is a 3 foot by 16" diameter fender. Yes it is huge! Other than that The lines keep me off the dock and no fender is required.

We have a set of the 10 diameter by 26 or 30 inchers that we use for travel and they stay with the boat. At last count there were 5 of these.

A few fender notes -

You can't have too many - especially if you frequent places where rafting off or rafting up is popular.

They don't have to look pretty - they perform a function that keeps your boat clean and scratch free. There are some guys that will 409 their fenders instead of going sailing - to me that is crazy talk.

Tie them off to the hand rail, the winches and the cleats wherever possible. Clipping them to the lifeline is convenient but can really torque the stanchions if you get the right wave or wind and the fender gets hooked on or under the dock etc.

If you live in a climate where it gets cold or the temp fluctuates ...(and no Florida folks, 55 is a heatwave it isn't cold - heck lately 30 isn't even cold) try and get the fenders with the air valves.

They are not bumpers except for Bristle who is now a stinkboater.(just kidding dave)

Edited by - Champipple on 02/13/2007 14:30:20

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 15:29:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Duane Wolff
 There are some guys that will 409 their fenders instead of going sailing - to me that is crazy talk.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You actually know guys who choose to clean fenders instead of sailing?...Most people I know don't give a hoot what their fenders look like.

Personally, I clean and wax my fenders prior to launching in the spring.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 16:03:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 ...Most people I know don't give a hoot what their fenders look like...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I pulled up to my friends' C-34 in my little runabout with black rubrails... they put out some "fenders" (I'm not that far gone, Duane) and I tied up alongside. When I left, the woman exclaimed she'd have to scrub the black marks off the fenders or their C-42 friends wouldn't let them raft up! There's anal for ya!

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2007 : 20:51:51

Isn't it great having our little boats with no care fenders and can put them anywhere. Actually it's my sister that always calls me on the VHF to tell me my fenders are hanging out. Dave, you can raft up to us anytime you want and don't stop telling us what we need to hear and sometimes the other Side too.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2007 : 09:51:34

I can understand someone not wanting a questionable looking fender rubbing up against a mirror shined hull, especially if the boat costs over $100,000, because a cruddy fender can be abrasive.

I wish I had a picture of one of my dock neighbors fenders. It was a rather large white fender that had been damaged in a fire (it looked like a huge burnt roasted marshmellow).

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2007 : 12:11:32

OK gang. In the name of mighty Neptune, King of the Seas, I beseech you not to let your fenders hang over the rails while you sail. It brings shame and dishonor to all of us C25/250 sailors.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.