Fenders - Tear drop V's Cylinder shape

[Dave_S]

Hi

Any preference between the two types.

I'm still learning to dock in the marina without landing pretty hard and I haven't had to dock in strong wind yet.

I'm tempted to get the tear drop shape for front and back because they will give more and provide more surface area to the boat when squashed. They are also cheaper for the equivalent diameter cylindrical ones. I did wonder why they are not more popular and thought they may be more likely to squeeze out of the way rather than squash.

Experiences between the two ?

Thanks
Dave

[Jim Cate]

IME, cylindrical ones are better for lying against low floating pontoons, but what yu are calling teardrop shapes pop up over the pontoon rather easily. When lying against a wall of some sort, or against another vessel, the latter give greater standoff distance and are preferable in my view. So, ya kinda need a couple of each!

Jim

[CaptTom]

You're correct, the round "Gloucester ball" fenders are good for the bow & stern, assuming you're wider amidships, for the extra stand-off room. You're also right that they can ride up more easily if not set at the right height.

Another issue is bouncing off your fenders, which can mess up an otherwise good landing.

Ideally, the slip itself can be fendered with something soft but not as "bouncy" as an air-filled fender. They sell products for this, or you can get creative with old fire hose, bunched up a little for more give.

[Jim Cate]

[QUOTE]Ideally, the slip itself can be fendered with something soft but not as "bouncy" as an air-filled fender. They sell products for this, or you can get creative with old fire hose, bunched up a little for more give.[/QUOTE

]True, but not too useful to cruisers w ho do not have a 'home slip' that they live in. As a cruiser, one needs to be prepared to berth in strange places... marina berths with floating docks, fixed docks, smooth walls, rough walls with bolts sticking out (!), pilings, other vessels and so on.

This means carrying several fenders, a fender board or two, and lots of dock lines. Not a bad idea to keep some old dock lines which can be sacrificed when tying up to objects with lots of chafing potential.

It is a rough old world once one leaves the civilization of home!

Jim

[JPA Cate]

Capt. Tom, Dave S, and everybody,

You're right. We see lots of berths set up with additional fendering, too.

The problems come when one is entering somewhere unfamiliar. One time, I was fooled by blue paint on a metal cover over the dock edge. There came a big gouge in the paint. Probably the most practical thing to do would be to explore each new situation by dinghy prior to docking. Instead, one fenders up and takes one's chances.

The OP owns a catamaran, and will be entering a berth as small as he can fit into, with minimal fendering. For him, perhaps the flat fenders might work best, they're not as bouncy.

Ann

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Capt. Tom, Dave S, and everybody,

You're right. We see lots of berths set up with additional fendering, too.

The problems come when one is entering somewhere unfamiliar. One time, I was fooled by blue paint on a metal cover over the dock edge. There came a big gouge in the paint. Probably the most practical thing to do would be to explore each new situation by dinghy prior to docking. Instead, one fenders up and takes one's chances.

The OP owns a catamaran, and will be entering a berth as small as he can fit into, with minimal fendering. For him, perhaps the flat fenders might work best, they're not as bouncy.

Ann

Hi Ann

Thanks for the post.

If you didn't think the world was a small place before.

I've just realised you're parked less than 100yards away.

The second time this month that's happened.

Regards
Dave

[Cap Erict3]

Although not terribly attractive, carrying a fender board that can span a couple of fenders will keep u off pilings.

[CaptTom]

I wasn't suggesting anyone only worry about a "home" slip. We have 10 cylindrical fenders, two fender boards and one gloucester ball on board. But it's still nice to see a well-fendered float. One less thing to worry about.

This season, we tied up at well over 50 different places, from lock walls to fishing piers to marina floats. Often we didn't know what we'd find until minutes before docking, or even which side we'd tie up on.

It got to the point where I'd rig fenders and lines on both sides before going in. I'd also rig some fenders "high" and some "low" if I wasn't sure what I was going to be up against (literally). I could probably have used 14 or 18 fenders, if I had room for them.

[Dave_S]

Thanks all

I think I'll get a mix.

[delmarrey]

You just need to go as slow as you can, considering wind and current conditions.

One thing that I do is I keep a set of fenders secured to the dock so they can't roll up and away.

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Hi

Any preference between the two types.

I'm still learning to dock in the marina without landing pretty hard and I haven't had to dock in strong wind yet.

I'm tempted to get the tear drop shape for front and back because they will give more and provide more surface area to the boat when squashed. They are also cheaper for the equivalent diameter cylindrical ones. I did wonder why they are not more popular and thought they may be more likely to squeeze out of the way rather than squash.

Experiences between the two ?

Thanks
Dave

The cylindrical fenders mostly just roll out the way. Pretty useless when docking. They work fine while tied up.

The ball fenders dragging in the water usually get wedged between the dock and the vessel just in the right place to protect the vessel. Provided they are big enough.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Hi Ann

Thanks for the post.

If you didn't think the world was a small place before.

I've just realised you're parked less than 100yards away.

The second time this month that's happened.

Regards
Dave

Well, then, we're in V07 pen; if you see the boat's here when you are, come and make yourself known! ;^)

Ann & Jim

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Well, then, we're in V07 pen; if you see the boat's here when you are, come and make yourself known! ;^)

Ann & Jim

We are in U03 behind you. I'll come and say hi, next time down.

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

You just need to go as slow as you can, considering wind and current conditions.

That's true in an ideal world. But it's the wind and current that often force you to make a more aggressive approach.

Originally Posted by leftbrainstuff

The cylindrical fenders mostly just roll out the way. Pretty useless when docking.

I've almost never had this happen. Approach the dock at an angle then swing the stern in. There should be very little forward motion once you're in contact with the dock or wall. That's what would make the fenders roll up.