Boat fenders

[pcator]

My new CD25 is being built. What style, size fenders should I use?

Thanks

Patrick

[Da Nag]

I seem to be in the minority, but I swear by "Orbs".

Two 12" fit perfectly in the motor well of a 22 (single + kicker), so I'm assuming they would fit in a 25 as well.

They'll take tons of abuse, and two will easily keep your boat off the dock. They are particularly handy when you've got to come in a little hot, i.e. docking into a stiff wind...they provide much more cushion than "normal" fenders.

At most docks, simply drop them to the water line, and tie them off so they are just floating. On a 22, the 12" fits through the cabin windows - I tie one off on the fore cleat, and hang one from the rear rail.

[pcator]

thanks, Bill

[Jazzmanic]

Bill, those Orbs are nice, but they don't come in C-Dory Green (that's what we call our boat color). And as you can see from our pics, they just gotta be C-Dory Green.

pcator, here's what we use: Polyform G4

[Sea Wolf]

c-danacer-

If you want an ORB-shaped fender, see if you can find the Emerald Green in a Hippity-Hop bounce toy with the hold-on handle. They make them or similar jobbies in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, even for adults!!!

We've sailed a few small lakes where they used them for racing marks instead of more traditional marks like the large inflatable orange tetrahedrons.

They look very durable, and are probably a little less $ than the Orbs.

AND AFTER MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN BOUNCE AROUND THE DOCKS FOR FUN!



HIPPIDY-HOP LINK

OTHER SIZES AND COLORS AVAILABLE FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS.

Joe.

[B~C]

I'll bet a person could use an inflatable....oh......never mind...I shouldn't say it

[thataway]

Actually there are some inflatable fenders (Like inflatable boats)--which would do well for C Dory types such as Darby Marine--at $300 for 16" x 48" or Avon Hypalon starting at 35 x12 inches at a little over $100 a crack!
I would always worry that a rusty piece of steel rebar would ruin that wonderful cushion. They would be great for rafting--but not along side a rough wall.

We have two 8 x 20 Taylor "Big B"--the ones with the hole in the middle--with a line run thru, and use figure of 8 knots on the line--so you can adjust the length of line from each end of the fender if necessary. We also carry two 2 "hull guard" fenders which are 5.5 x 20 inches--with the "ears" for the line on each end. These are adequate for the Tom Cat 255. If we know we are going to be rafting, we have a 12 x 34 inch Big B, left over from our larger boat days. The large fender is great--but difficult to stow. The round fenders were used a lot when we were cruising larger boats, but for the C Dories we find the long skinny ones fit our style.

Also consider making a "fender board" For the C Dory I would make it out of 2 x 6 and 3 feet long. The fender board will be put against rough walls or pilings when necessary, putting the fenders between the hull and fender board. Drill 1/2" holes thru the width and thread line, so you can adjust the fender board independly from the fenders. For the larger boats we used 4 x 4 and even a 4x6 because of the loads--but even a 2 x 4 would would for a C Dory 22.

[Sneaks]

I spotted a couple of fenders doing double duty as a dinghy.

Check this out.



Don

[Papillon]

Don,
There is no mention as to what hp outboard this contraption is rated. Can you check into that for us. And while your at it, is the user advised to wear a "CUP' while operating this dingy?

Mike

[teflonmom]

Just had to get my two cents in. We have used HTM fenders for many years. On the 22 we use two 8X20. With HTM fenders they can be rigged useing only one line either verticle or horazontal. They will roll up a lock wall and not tangle the line. I use black - shows less dirt.

Fred and Pat Messerly-Red Lion, Pa.

[flapbreaker]

[Wayne McCown]

Check out photo (in my album) of a fender board I made for use on the Erie Canal.

Three comments: (1) I tried one at 6'. That is too long, as it pulls away from the curvature of the hull. The one pictured is about 4' and can fit crosswise in the cockpit. (2) I had purchased "flat fenders," but found they did not provide sufficient protection. But I was able to use them on the backside of the fender board. I simply stapled them--around the edges--to the board. (3) The biggest challenge I had was that the fender board would easily "roll over" when running fast, and thus expose the board to the hull. This problem was solved by stapling a length of water pipe insulation along the top the flat fenders, to serve as a "bumper" along the top backside of the board.

[Chris Bulovsky]

I too like the round ones. They seem to work well and I think they look cool. Even if some liken them to kids toys they work well and provide a greater distance between the dock and the boat.....Complements the salty look of a C-Dory quite nicely.


http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,1391.htm


Chris Bulovsky
Washburn Wi

[sailor-d]

The round orange fenders are always called "scotchmen" by commercial boat operators and fishermen in British Columbia. Also used as net floats, crab and prawn trap floats, and marine markers. It seems power boaters often call fenders "bumpers" and "proper" sailors call them "fenders" (or scotchmen).

cheers - Dave

[Da Nag]

I'm sticking with "orbs". Strictly for the sophmoric humor value...if you substitute "fenders" in the comments below, they wouldn't be anywhere near as funny.

"Have you seen Bill's orbs?"

"I'm just more comfortable at the dock with my big orbs dangling over the side."

"Hey Honey...need some help washing those orbs?"

Hee hee...