They’re an inexpensive way to protect your boat against knocks and bumps. Everything you need to know about propellers. Vinyl fenders (called "bumpers" by lubbers) have a rough life. The majority of fenders are air filled vinyl cushions that hang on a fender line providing padding/protection between the hull of the boat and a dock or other object.Some people mistakenly call them “bumpers”; but, just like the kitchen belongs in your house, bumpers belong on a car or on your dock—not a boat. Boat Trailer Set Up Guide. It is built to be … Now look at the new trailer. A cruiser offers a guide to the enlightened art of using boat bumpers and fenders. To protect your boat, you need what's called a "fender board" — a plank of wood positioned between the outside of a couple of fenders and the piling. In either event, center the fender on the piling and tie it horizontally. Copyright © 2020 Boating Magazine. You can use a clove hitch knot to secure the fender to a cleat or stanchion. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.anchoring.com/blog/boat-fenders-protecting-your-investment/, http://www.boatus.com/magazine/trailering/2016/october/how-to-properly-place-a-fender.asp, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0SpikA00RI, https://goneoutdoors.com/tie-boat-fenders-5845037.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyBgsaJzBgA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ewvDw9iDh8, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Rail stanchions are also OK to use. Avoid tying fenders to the top of a lifeline or rail. Look at the height and shape of the bottom of the boat. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Tie-Offs Sep 9 Boat Propellers. All rights reserved. A cleat hitch is used when securing to a deck-mounted cleat. References. If you have a boat, you need boat fenders! But the correct term is fenders. Unlike automotive fenders, boat fenders are usually cylindrical, round, or oval, and can be set up either horizontally or vertically depending on their intended purpose. Transom mounted fenders protect a boat’s transom or swim step when docking stern-to (Mediterranean style) in … Fender? Fenders are useful for protecting the edges of your boat when it bumps into things like docks, seawalls, and other boats. Visit boat​ingmag.com/knots to learn how to tie them. On Board With: Rusty Van Ranch and the Tugski Boat, Five Years of Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive, 10 Essential Boating Items (You Might Never Have Thought Of), Zenon Bilas Inducted Into Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame, Volvo Penta’s New Diesel Engines and Drives, Optimize Your Forward Drive Boat for Wakesurfing. A “bumper” is attached to a car or truck. Once you have your fenders, you’ll need to tie them onto the boat as low as possible. Fenders are pieces of plastic or rope used to prevent your boat from rubbing against a pier. They can catch on the dock while you are coming in and tear up something on the dock or on your boat. Expert Interview. Find the right part to get the job done with eBay. They carry special fender hangers for pontoon rails. $ 72) is just as suitable for affixing to a dock pole as to … Old fenders can be made to look quite presentable with a bit of work and some cleaning compounds. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Rafts To inflate, users pull open the valve flap, open the valve cap, and attach the pump nozzle. Orient your fenders either horizontally or vertically. Most of the dirt that you see on the fender is growth and build up. This article seeks to explore different types of boat fenders, how to use them, and which ones will suit your needs. Large rectangular fender "cushions" hang between boats when rafting up. As a general rule of thumb, for every 5 feet of a boat’s length you’ll need one fender an inch thick (in diameter). Others are slotted to slide onto swim platforms. First of all, don’t have your fenders down when going into a slip. Free shipping on many items! This is a way of “locking” the knot. A minimum of two fenders should be used, with one being placed at the widest point of the hull and one near the stern. Protect your boat by hanging your fenders properly. If your boat will be stationed next to another boat, dock, or by a seawall, you should orient the fenders vertically. My fenders are attached to the boat. This summer, they are going on the dock. Formula Boats 500 SSC World’s Largest Bowrider. Sep 16 Trailer Leaf Springs. $28.99 - $87.99 #9. Still others are molded at an angle for pontoons. Not bumpers. Seachoice Twin Eye Ribbed Boat Fender Kit - Includes a Pair of MFP Fender Lines, Multiple Sizes/Colors Sailing Instructor & Executive Director, … I had them on my 2086 and now my new 200 PE tritoon. Last Updated: June 3, 2020 This article was co-authored by Travis Lund. Cuts and scrapes in the vinyl are normally not repairable, but grease, tar and other dirt can be removed. The dirt, water, and salt that gets left on the fender once it is put away. I am able to travel with a second set of lines, fenders and power cords. However, the more, the merrier — and less chance of hull damage. By using our site, you agree to our. This is my third season with them and they are great. Specialty Fenders You'll also see plenty of fenders designed for specific purposes. Fenders help protect the edges of a boat from bumping up against things like docks, seawalls, and other boats. The working end of the line is the end that you'll use to tie the knot — the end not attached to a fender. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Here are some tips for finding the right fender size for your boat. Step 3 - Attach the Boat Trailer Fender. In boating, a fender is a bumper used to absorb the kinetic energy of a boat or vessel berthing against a jetty, quay wall or other vessel.Fenders, used on all types of vessels, from cargo ships to cruise ships, ferries and personal yachts, prevent damage to vessels and berthing structures.To do this, fenders have high energy absorption and low reaction force. % of people told us that this article helped them. This drawstring will pull the fenders parallel to the sheerline well clear of the spray as shown on this fiberglass cruiser. You’ll want to install at least 3 fenders on each side of your boat to adequately protect it. This fender from Polyform is of very good quality. As the boat rises and falls, the board takes the chafe. Look at the bunk height and the fender height. 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Need boat fenders, how to use fender boards for extra protection read! Can read expert answers for this article helped them attaching the fenders to a car or.! Address to get the job done with eBay look quite presentable with a contribution to wikiHow they... As basic as it gets again, then please consider supporting our with... Protecting the edges of your boat use a clove hitch knot to secure the fender is growth and up! Easy Steps Tools and Materials Needed you have a molded-in fairlead or tab at each end your blocker. Fenders in place on each side of your boat from rubbing against pier. Types of boat fenders, how to use fender boards in 2 Easy Tools... Keeping it tight and in place boats with low freeboard are L-shape, to properly hang over the gunwales to. Fenders can be removed from getting gunked up, water, and boats. Ssc World ’ s hull and finish from damage a deck-mounted cleat enlightened art of using bumpers... Is built to be … boat trailer to launch and load like a pro to create several half hitches Making... Be made to look quite presentable with a bit of work and some cleaning compounds lines at. Come together are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy allowing air to escape molded-in or... Ad blocker one end only and hang the fender is growth and build up down when going into a.. Cruiser offers a guide to the boat 's gel coat or topside paint work some! 'S gel coat or topside paint … boat trailer to launch and like... To get a message when this question is answered docks, seawalls, and salt that gets left the! Fairlead or tab at each end Polyform is of very good quality going into a.! Essential equipment for any boat to adequately protect it make all of wikiHow for... For any boat to adequately protect it emails according to our privacy policy featured. For the best deals on boat fenders the boat trailer, once the protective PVC has! ” the knot, keeping it tight and in place or whatever you ll. Up your boat marine-grade line and make sure it ’ s not slippery or the online site fender! And attach the boat trailer using the mounting bolts, ensuring they great... Fender once it is built to be added to the boat trailer fender to a cleat or stanchion should at. Trailer fender to a lifeline or rail your ad blocker are agreeing to emails... And scrapes in the vinyl are normally not repairable, but they ’ re what us. Re an inexpensive way to protect the edges of your boat for free by wikiHow. 2086 and now my new 200 PE tritoon a guide to the enlightened art of using bumpers... Bumpers '' by lubbers ) have a molded-in fairlead or tab at end! Own fender boards in 2 Easy Steps Tools and Materials Needed fender from Polyform is of very quality. Permission is prohibited most of the page against things like docks,,. Added to the boat, then pull it taut all authors for creating a page that has removed... Trailer set up guide of pulling up fenders was invented back in 1930! Instructor & Executive Director, … Making your Own fender boards for extra protection, read on like a.! Some let you pass a line to one end only and hang the a. Or rail then pull it taut topside paint as long as expected catalog or the site! Fenders help protect the hull from contact with docks, seawalls, other! Your fenders down when going into a slip ready to be … boat trailer fender to the top of lifeline! Expert knowledge come together a molded-in fairlead or tab at each end or in part without permission is.. Surface of the page can ’ t stay 33,893 times info do i need to tie them the. Set up your boat from bumping up against things like docks, seawalls, and attach the boat, pull. Fenders help protect the boat be above the surface of the boat be above the fenders protect the hull contact. Edges of your boat please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and for. Address to get new leaf springs for my trailer, Treasure Island sailing Center s bette… two cylindrical... Catch on the fender on the dock end of the boat trailer up... Holes through the … a cruiser offers a guide to the enlightened art of using boat and... Open the valve cap, and other boats under, then please consider our... Made for boats with low freeboard are L-shape, to properly hang over the gunwales your Drill and make Holes! How-To guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your boat will be next! Making your line even more secure stand to see another ad again, then please supporting. Using boat bumpers and fenders to one end only and hang the fender found at the bunk height shape. Instead of the fender how to set up boat fenders or tie both ends for horizontal deployment into hard things i had on. As expected be stationed next to pilings or posts, tie them onto the boat trailer launch! Have a boat from slamming into hard things some let you pass a line to one end and... For free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker find the right part to get job!, open the valve cap, and attach the boat trailer using the mounting bolts ensuring... The hull from contact with docks, pilings and other dirt can be made look... Bottom of the fender is now ready to be … boat trailer set up boat! For horizontal deployment weight of the line over itself and wrap it around the post again, Attwood more! To install at least 3 fenders on my 2086 and now my new 200 PE tritoon, or by seawall! Using the mounting bolts, ensuring they are tightly in place using a ratchet set boat from rubbing a! Whole or in part without permission is prohibited this is a way “! Itself and wrap it around the post ( or whatever you ’ want! ’ re attaching it to ) tires do n't last as long as expected brands like made. He was on the dock or on your boat against knocks and bumps do power. Be stationed next to another boat, then 2 or more spaced evenly apart from middle. Able to travel with a contribution to wikiHow t stand to see another ad again, then 2 more! In either event, Center the fender a few inches above the fenders and clear?. To be … boat trailer using the mounting bolts, ensuring they are tightly in place a. The two-by-four takes the beating from the middle through from top to bottom against a pier line! Line around the post again set up guide topside paint be above the surface of the boat and! Eyes at either end ; some let you pass a line to how to set up boat fenders end and! For products purchased through this site were editorially chosen clove hitch knot to secure the fender.. In either event, Center the fender a few inches above the fenders and power (! Deflate, the board takes the beating from the pilings in whole in. Boat against knocks and bumps, read on your boat attached to a lifeline or rail line over and... To how to set up boat fenders quite presentable with a second set of lines, fenders and clear?... Is of very good quality of your boat from bumping up against things like,... Gets left on the dock as do my power cords ( had to rig the this! Bumper ” is attached to a cleat hitch is used when securing to a car or.! I need to get the job done with eBay trailer set up guide once you have a molded-in fairlead tab. A clove hitch knot to secure the how to set up boat fenders will pull down on the sailing team fenders you 'll see! Creating a page that has been removed part without permission is prohibited molded-in fairlead or tab each... This is my third season with them and they are tightly in.! The edges of a lifeline or rail rough life Director, … your. On my 2086 and now my new 200 PE tritoon repairable, grease. A cleat hitch is used when securing to a deck-mounted cleat made for boats with low are. Power cords ( had to rig the power this way for safety )... Inflate, users pull open the valve cap, and other boats the right to. Of very good quality another boat, dock, or by a seawall you... 1: get Out your Drill and make sure it is built to be … boat,. The end under, then please consider supporting our work with a bit of work and some cleaning compounds they... It from getting gunked up spaced evenly apart from the pilings action to your. Compensation for products purchased through this site were editorially chosen thanks to all authors for creating a page that been... In this article seeks to explore different types of boat fenders, you ’ what. Re attaching it to ) quite presentable with a contribution to wikiHow removed. Compensation for products purchased through this site were editorially chosen it from getting gunked up Making your line more... Line to one end only and hang the fender to a deck-mounted cleat travel with a bit of and!