Fender or barge boards

[HankOnthewater]

Thinking of getting at least two boards on the boat, to be used as fender boards or barge boards.
Here are some links:
Rope fenders instead of fender boards?
https://www.boatingmag.com/how-to-build-fender-board

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLoJSJlgt8

I was wondering what kind of material people use. Timber? Maybe the most common one, and easy to get. But what about alumunium? Or are there suitable ones in plastics or composites?
Suggestions are welcome, also regarding best way of storing these.

[El Pinguino]

Lash them to your stanchions....

This isn't a fender board... its purpose in life is to assist in the securing of some of my fuel bidones ... but I'm sure you get the idea.

Mine are stowed below in the 'garden shed'.... can't remember when I last used them...

[Pete7]

Yes we have a pair and they are jolly useful particularly when mooring anywhere other than a posh marina, so harbour, lock, wall or the rusty drying out posts on the scrubbing grid etc. We always rig them on the outside of at least two fenders each.

Ours came from some pontoon decking that was being replaced with plastic. They are a hardwood but just not sure what type. About 5 foot long, 5 inches deep an 3/4 inch thick so they store in the cockpit locker.

Either scrap hardwood, like a scafolding plank cut longways or pressure treated fencing panels, sized for your boat. That is a big boat in that picture, at 5 tonnes we can get away with much smaller ones.

Pete

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Yes we have a pair and they are jolly useful particularly when mooring anywhere other than a posh marina, so harbour, lock, wall etc.

Ours came from some pontoon decking that was being replaced with plastic. Its a hardwood but just not sure what type. About 5 foot long and 5 inches deep so they store in the cockpit locker.

Pete

Yep, essential if you are alongside piles and the like...I just can't remember when I was last alongside piles and the like....

Oh yes I can.... 2009....

[hmeilman]

I carry a couple of 2x4s. Tie a clove hitch on either end going opposite directions so the board hangs pretty vertical. An essential piece of gear when tied alongside pilings.

[Paul L]

I use long inflatable fenders instead of fender boards

[Benz]

If you have room to store it, four feet long would be luxury. Tying up to big commercial docks or abandoned wharves is a lot harder without one. Any old piece of pressure-treated lumber wold be fine. Aluminum would make lots of noise against steel rip-rap, and could scratch your hull if it turned sideways or was deployed carelessly.

[Seabeau]

I use two pieces of white PVC boards 1"X6"X4ft, bolted together(recess fasteners). No rot, reasonably pliable and won't mar your topsides.

[Cherod]

Scaffold plank are easily available ,cheap and strong and can be cut to whatever length yo want , sanded off and coated can even look quite nice , can be used for other things as well , boarding plank etc , then lashed to the rails ,

[Suijin]

Mine are just pine 1"x6"s that I slapped some polyurethane on as a sealant. Drilled holes vertically through them at each end and ran 1/4" line through them. They get stowed on the cabin top lashed to handrails.

Since you deploy them by putting them outboard of two fenders, they need to be long enough to bridge those and contact the piling, and strong enough to withstand the tonnage of the boat against the piling. I've rarely used more than one at a time as it goes midships at the broadest beam. The only time I've used two is in tight quarters where I did not have a choice about lining up the boat with a specific piling.

[dfelsent]

My dad gave me his. Who knows where he got them. About 5’ long. 1 1/4 inch by 6 inch rough cut oak. Heavy solid and useful. Moonbeam would snap a two by four any any real cross breeze.
The worst part of fenderboards and likings is when in area with real tidal range and an on-wharf breeze you need to get your spring lines just right and check them during the night.

[jibstay]

I made some out of 4” PVC pipe. They’ve held up well over 3 years and Hurricane Irma.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by jibstay

I made some out of 4” PVC pipe. They’ve held up well over 3 years and Hurricane Irma.

Attachment 160915

I like the PVC pipe idea. Looks much neater than the ratty old board I have and I think much easier to store.

I know PVC is tough (ever tried to break a piece hitting it with a hammer) but how would it hold up to a 25,000 lb boat smashing it against a pilint?

[oleman]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I like the PVC pipe idea. Looks much neater than the ratty old board I have and I think much easier to store.

I know PVC is tough (ever tried to break a piece hitting it with a hammer) but how would it hold up to a 25,000 lb boat smashing it against a pilint?

At 25F degrees normal PVC will shatter like glass if impacted.
I use commercial fenders made from tire side walls, just like tug boats use except smaller. They are resilient, basically no-marring and will LAST!
CHEAP, use a saws all, a hole saw for center hole and some time, The old tires cost less than nothing!
OK they are not pretty but we run a work boat.
New neat solution, cut them round [large hole saw or band saw] and cover with fabric.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Paul L

I use long inflatable fenders instead of fender boards

Unless they are very cheap, I'd rather us fenders and 2X4 fender boards which are cheap and sacrificial. Locks tear things up. Someone said clove hitch. drilling a hole through the 4" width and putting a knot under it saves rope chaff.