Boat fenders
- Thread starter pcator
- Start date
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.
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.
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
:wink
pcator, here's what we use: Polyform G4
:wink
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fred and Pat Messerly-Red Lion, Pa.
flapbreaker
New member
Wayne McCown
New member
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.
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
New member
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
http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,1391.htm
Chris Bulovsky
Washburn Wi
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
cheers - Dave
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... :teeth
"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... :teeth
Many of the docks I tie up to are anchored to the bottom with pilings. Avoiding rubbing the piling becomes a problem as the long fenders when tied at one end and hung vertically just slide off the piling. It seems an Orb style would roll away with the first motion of the boat. I usually secure the standard fender to the piling by passing the line through both ends of the fender and around the piling. This keeps the fender in a horizontal position right between the piling and the boat. Anyone got a better way or product to handle tieing alongside pilings?
Mike "Levity"
Mike "Levity"
Chris Bulovsky
New member
Bill .......your kind of funny!
Chris
Chris
What's needed here is a rub rail that expands with air pressure all along the boat from bow to stern, making it kinda like a rigid inflatable boat (RIB).
Probably have to be about six inches wide to provide the elastic expansion necessary to protect the boat.
Probably could be powered by an electric driven air compressor, which would also be useful for inflatables, swim toys, and blowing away glowing orbs in the middle of the night!
******************************************************
You're right, Bill-
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing orb."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing bumper."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing fender."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing Scotchman."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing Hippity Hop."
Keep yer' orbs warmed up, it's Friday Night, ya' know!
Joe.
Probably have to be about six inches wide to provide the elastic expansion necessary to protect the boat.
Probably could be powered by an electric driven air compressor, which would also be useful for inflatables, swim toys, and blowing away glowing orbs in the middle of the night!
******************************************************
You're right, Bill-
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing orb."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing bumper."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing fender."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing Scotchman."
"Honey, I think your late first husband doesn't like us sleeping together in his bed and in his house where you spent so much time together. I know he's haunting the house in the form of a evil glowing Hippity Hop."
Keep yer' orbs warmed up, it's Friday Night, ya' know!
Joe.
Wayne McCown
New member
Dear C-Brats:
I just posted some new photos in my subalbum, Various Ideas. At the end of this subalbum, you will find a project involving three ideas: (1) Adding an 8" cleat (on each side) midships, allowing four fenders per side; (2) Storing five (!) 8" x 20" fenders in the transom; (3) adding two jam cleats on each side and using small (1/4") second lines that allow the fenders to be pulled up (and dropped) from the cockpit and helm.
Wayne McCown
I just posted some new photos in my subalbum, Various Ideas. At the end of this subalbum, you will find a project involving three ideas: (1) Adding an 8" cleat (on each side) midships, allowing four fenders per side; (2) Storing five (!) 8" x 20" fenders in the transom; (3) adding two jam cleats on each side and using small (1/4") second lines that allow the fenders to be pulled up (and dropped) from the cockpit and helm.
Wayne McCown