Storing Fenders on Board ?

[SvenG]

Not sure which sub-forum to post this in ... but this one seems as good as any.

Fenders are by design big and bulky. Our Senta II is by IOR design not too wide at the hips or behind. So where should we stow the fenders when we are out on the water ?

The port lazarette is huge but the current 4 large fenders make it just about unusable for anything else once they are in there. The aft lazarette under the helm seat is too small. Stowage down below is already spoken for and not a very desirable place to stow big wet blobs.

- Get inflatable ones that actually deflate effectively ?

- Stow in some container on the cabin top ?

- Stow in fender holders like on powerboats (wave action vulnerability !) ?

We'll figure something out but suggestions and bright ideas would certainly be welcome.



-Sven

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by SvenG

Not sure which sub-forum to post this in ... but this one seems as good as any.

Fenders are by design big and bulky. Our Senta II is by IOR design not too wide at the hips or behind. So where should we stow the fenders when we are out on the water ?

The port lazarette is huge but the current 4 large fenders make it just about unusable for anything else once they are in there. The aft lazarette under the helm seat is too small. Stowage down below is already spoken for and not a very desirable place to stow big wet blobs.

- Get inflatable ones that actually deflate effectively ?

- Stow in some container on the cabin top ?

- Stow in fender holders like on powerboats (wave action vulnerability !) ?

We'll figure something out but suggestions and bright ideas would certainly be welcome.



-Sven

Sven--

We have a pair of standard fenders in fabrice covers that we stow in our chain lockers when at sea. When on a cruise, however, we also carry several extra 60" inflatable fenders in our aft lazarette locker. Our fenders are from Easystow Fenders . These units have proven very robust. (We also use them when we are preparing the yacht for storm conditions as an extra measure of protection.)

FWIW...

[JiffyLube]

When we're out for a day sail we usually leave them tied to the stanchion base, and just flip them over the life lines to the deck side.

[Sabbatical II]

Just be like the charter boats you see on the first day out that leave them hanging over the side. Maybe they do know what they're doing.

Greg

[Paul Lefebvre]

If you don't have room in a lazarette, keep it simple and just tie them to the stern pushpit like most boats end up doing.

Paul

[S/V Alchemy]

This of course depends entirely on your cruising needs.

Daily: Flip them onto the deck. Who cares as long as they don't foul the sheets?

Multi-day cruise ending in nightly anchoring. Stow them on the stern. Deploy at each quarter at night in case of boats drifting down.

Passagemaking over three days at sea: Fully deflate except for two (in case you have to come alongside or board another boat. Bring a bicycle pump, one of those "emergency power packs" with an inverter and pump that drivers carry (a good idea for distance sailors, in my view), or a battery powered air pump of the type used to inflate camp beds, with the appropriate fender nipple thingie.

I will be getting those teardrop shaped 18 inch orange fenders, because they are great for seawalls and rafting. But I doubt I'll keep them inflated offshore! Maybe two, as I mentioned.

[SabreKai]

Tied to the pushpit top rail, hanging outboard and tied at the bottom with light line. I too have storage problems with them. I use 8 fenders, 4 per side when I'm trying to dock the USS Nimitz. (Sabre Dance feels huge, Espie I had down pat)

Sabre

[Kettlewell]

If you don't have room in a lazarette, keep it simple and just tie them to the stern pushpit like most boats end up doing.

That's the answer. Ready to go at a moment's notice if someone is dragging anchor down on you, or when you come in from a long offshore trip and you're tired and you need to head into the customs dock--that is not the time you want to be digging around for your pump to inflate your fenders. I store them on the pushpit and never find them in the way when offshore, plus they provide a handy source for a possible float for the parachute sea anchor if I should need to use it.

[knotnow]

I vote for tied to the pushpit top and bottom. In anything less than a masive breaking, following sea there should be no problem.

[Auspicious]

Certainly depends on what storage space is available. I carry six cylindrical fenders (8 x 24 or so) that are stored in the anchor locker and two 24" round fenders hanging outboard of the pushpit.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by SvenG

- Get inflatable ones that actually deflate effectively ?

- Stow in some container on the cabin top ?

- Stow in fender holders like on powerboats (wave action vulnerability !) ?

Most are inflatable in any case. The newer inflatables from e.g. Avon very pricey and I have seen them explode.

We stored ours on the cabin top and never had any issue with waves or otherwise, but we did get issue with UV so probably cover yours or store them with socks on.

b.

[LakeSuperior]

We are very very pleased with our inflatable fenders. A little pricey but brilliant in terms of storage. They are also very light weight. We found them easy to inflate and deflate. Not as much hassle as I orginally thought they would be.

[Unicorn Dreams]

As we have a CC, our boat has a nice size lazarette, I built 8 small compartments that I glassed onto the underside of the deck to hold them. Our lazarette is about 7'W by 4'D x 4'H.

That being sail, the inflatable one svHyLyte mentioned look real tempting, think I'll get about 3 of them...

[btrayfors]

I've got BIG fenders.

Put them to use.

I tie one on each side atop the cockpit combing near the stern. They're GREAT to sit on when underway.

Sometimes I stick them under the dodger on the cabin top. They're happy there, and ready for use.

Sometimes I tie a couple of them on the deck, near the mast, or stand them up alongside the mast and tie to cleats on the mast.

Rarely, and only on long ocean passages, do I store them belowdecks, either in lockers or in the cabin somewhere.

Bill

[Slainte40]

I have used these for a few years now and like that they are out of the way yet quick to get at if needed